Ah, baked beans — the sweet, savory, smoky classic that’s perfect as a side for barbecue, meatloaf, or just about anything 🍲🥓. Here’s a simple, from-scratch version that’s rich and flavorful.
🍲 Classic Baked Beans
Ingredients (serves 4–6)
- 2 cups dried navy beans (or 3 cans baked beans for shortcut)
- 4–5 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional for smoky flavor)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 3–4 cups water or chicken broth (if using dried beans)
Instructions
If using dried beans:
- Soak beans overnight in plenty of water. Drain.
- Pre-cook beans in water until tender (45–60 min). Drain and set aside.
For baked beans (dried or canned):
- Cook bacon & aromatics
- In a large skillet or oven-safe pot, cook bacon until crisp.
- Remove bacon, leaving fat. Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Mix sauce
- In a bowl, combine ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Combine & bake
- Add beans and cooked bacon to the pot. Pour sauce over the beans and stir to combine.
- If needed, add a splash of water or broth to reach desired consistency.
- Bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C.
- Cover and bake 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thick and bubbly.
- Serve
- Spoon into bowls and enjoy as a side or main with cornbread, grilled meats, or sausages.
Pro Tips
- Shortcut: Use 3 cans of drained beans; mix with sauce and bake 20–30 min.
- Smoky depth: Add 1–2 tsp liquid smoke or smoked paprika.
- Sweet & tangy balance: Adjust molasses and brown sugar to taste.
- Vegetarian version: Skip bacon and use smoked paprika + olive oil for flavor.
I can also give you:
- 🥓 Slow cooker baked beans
- 🍯 Sweet & sticky molasses baked beans
- 🔥 Spicy barbecue baked beans
- 🍲 Boston-style baked beans (traditional, sweet)
Do you want the slow cooker version that’s effortless and hands-off?
