Description
Discover how to make hearty homemade baked beans recipe from scratch with this simple guide. Perfect for BBQs, potlucks, and family dinners. Get cooking today.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups dried navy beans (or 4 cups canned beans, rinsed and drained) 🫘
- 1/2 cup diced bacon or salt pork
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 cups water (or as needed for baking)
Instructions
- Prepare the Beans
- If using dried beans, soak them overnight in water. Drain and rinse. Cook in fresh water until tender, about 1 hour. If using canned beans, rinse and drain well.
- Cook the Bacon
- In a large skillet, cook diced bacon or salt pork over medium heat until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the drippings in the skillet.
- Sauté the Onions
- Add the chopped onions to the skillet with the bacon drippings. Sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Mix the Sauce
- In a mixing bowl, combine molasses, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.
- Combine Ingredients
- In a large baking dish or Dutch oven, mix the beans, sautéed onions, cooked bacon, and sauce. Stir to combine.
- Bake the Beans
- Add water as needed to cover the beans. Cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil and bake at 325°F (160°C) for 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally. Remove the cover for the last 30 minutes for a thicker consistency.
- Serve and Enjoy
- Let the baked beans cool slightly before serving. They’re perfect for BBQs, potlucks, or family dinners!
Notes
- Storage : Store leftover baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Make It Vegetarian : Skip the bacon and use a tablespoon of olive oil for sautéing the onions. Add smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
- Sweetness Level : Adjust the amount of brown sugar and molasses to suit your taste. For less sweetness, reduce each by half.
- Thicker Sauce : For a thicker consistency, simmer uncovered on the stovetop for a few minutes after baking.
- Customization : Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for some heat or mix in chopped bell peppers for added texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Side Dish, Comfort Food
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American 🇺🇸
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 10mg