Description
Old Fashioned Baked Beans are a comforting classic that brings the rich flavors of sweet and smoky goodness to your table. This recipe, crafted from scratch using dried navy beans, thick-cut bacon, and a blend of savory sauces, is perfect for BBQs, potlucks, or family dinners. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in tender beans enveloped in a luscious sauce that everyone will love. Whether you’re serving them alongside grilled meats or incorporating them into sandwiches, these hearty baked beans are sure to evoke nostalgia and satisfaction with every bite.
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 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Soak the navy beans overnight in water. Drain and boil in fresh water for one hour.
- In a Dutch oven, cook the bacon until crisp. Add onion and garlic; sauté until softened.
- Stir in tomato sauce, molasses, brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and bay leaf.
- Add pre-cooked beans along with reserved cooking liquid; simmer briefly.
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Bake covered for 2–3 hours; remove lid towards the end to thicken sauce.
- Discard bay leaf before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 14g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 20mg