Here’s a classic Baked Beans recipe—sweet, savory, and smoky, perfect as a side for BBQs or breakfast:
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 2 cans (15 oz each) navy beans or white beans, drained and rinsed
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp molasses (optional, for deeper flavor)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook Bacon and Aromatics
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic until softened.
3. Combine Ingredients
- In a baking dish, combine beans, cooked bacon, sautéed onion and garlic, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Stir until evenly mixed.
4. Bake
- Cover the dish with foil and bake 45–50 minutes.
- Remove foil for the last 10–15 minutes to thicken the sauce and caramelize the top slightly.
5. Serve
- Serve hot as a side dish with grilled meats, breakfast, or sandwiches.
Tips:
- For a vegetarian version, skip the bacon and add smoked paprika or liquid smoke for that smoky flavor.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors meld together.
- You can add chopped bell peppers or a splash of apple cider vinegar for extra depth.
I can also give a slow-cooker baked beans version that’s super hands-off and develops deep flavor over several hours. Do you want me to provide that version?
