🥫 Homemade Baked Beans (Sweet & Savory)
Classic baked beans are a comforting side dish with a rich tomato and molasses sauce. Perfect for BBQs, brunch, or dinner sides.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 2 cans (15 oz / 425 g each) navy beans or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 4 slices bacon, chopped (optional for extra flavor)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp molasses or maple syrup
- 1 tsp mustard (Dijon or yellow)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- ½ cup water or broth
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2️⃣ Cook Aromatics
- In a skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- In the same skillet, sauté onion until soft (3–4 minutes). Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
3️⃣ Combine Ingredients
- In a baking dish, mix beans, sautéed onions and garlic, cooked bacon, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and water/broth.
4️⃣ Bake
- Cover with foil and bake 45–50 minutes, stirring halfway.
- For a thicker sauce, uncover for the last 10–15 minutes.
🍽 Serving
- Perfect with grilled meats, burgers, hot dogs, or roasted vegetables.
- Can be served warm or at room temperature.
🔥 Tips & Variations
- Vegetarian: Skip bacon and add smoked paprika or liquid smoke for depth.
- Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne or hot sauce.
- Slow cooker: Cook on low for 4–6 hours instead of oven baking.
- Sweet twist: Add chopped pineapple or apple for a hint of fruity sweetness.
If you want, I can give you a traditional Boston-style baked beans recipe that’s richer, slightly sweeter, and slow-cooked overnight.
Do you want me to do that?
