Here’s a classic, hearty Baked Beans recipe—sweet, savory, and perfect as a side dish for BBQs, sandwiches, or a cozy meal.
Baked Beans
Ingredients (6–8 servings)
- 4 cups cooked navy beans (or 2 cans, drained and rinsed)
- 6 slices bacon, chopped (optional)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup brown sugar (adjust to taste)
- 2 tbsp molasses (optional, for depth)
- 2 tbsp Dijon or yellow mustard
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1–2 tsp apple cider vinegar (to taste)
- ½ cup water or broth
Instructions
- Preheat oven
Preheat to 350°F (175°C). - Cook bacon and aromatics
In a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside.
Sauté onions and garlic in the bacon fat until soft. - Mix beans and sauce
In a large bowl, combine beans, cooked bacon, sautéed onions and garlic, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, smoked paprika, black pepper, and water/broth. Mix well. - Bake
Transfer mixture to a baking dish. Cover with foil and bake 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove foil the last 10–15 minutes to thicken and caramelize the top. - Finish
Stir in apple cider vinegar just before serving for brightness. Serve hot.
Tips
- For richer flavor, bake beans low and slow (300°F / 150°C) for 2–3 hours.
- Substitute part of the brown sugar with maple syrup for a sweet, smoky twist.
- Add chopped bell peppers or a splash of hot sauce if you like a bit of heat.
- Baked beans taste even better the next day as flavors meld.
If you want, I can also give a slow-cooker baked beans version that’s super hands-off—just toss everything in and let it cook all day.
Do you want me to do that?
