Description
Old Fashioned Baked Beans are the quintessential side dish that brings warmth and nostalgia to any gathering. Slow-cooked until tender, these beans are infused with a rich, smoky flavor thanks to the perfect combination of thick-cut bacon and sweet molasses. Ideal for BBQs, potlucks, or cozy family dinners, this recipe is simple yet satisfying, making it accessible for cooks of all skill levels. Whether served alongside grilled meats or enjoyed on their own, these baked beans promise to delight your taste buds and evoke memories of home-cooked meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound dried navy beans
- 8 oz thick-cut bacon, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup plain tomato sauce or ketchup
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Soak navy beans in water overnight. Drain and rinse. Boil in fresh water for about an hour until tender; reserve liquid.
- In a Dutch oven, fry bacon until crisp. Add onion and cook until softened; stir in garlic.
- Mix in tomato sauce, molasses, brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and a bay leaf.
- Combine beans with the sauce mixture and add reserved cooking liquid. Simmer briefly.
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C), cover the Dutch oven with a lid, and bake for 2-3 hours. Remove lid during the last half-hour to thicken the sauce.
- Discard bay leaf before serving hot.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: Approximately 3 hours
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 292
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 675mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 51g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 20mg