Baked beans are a classic side dish that’s hearty, flavorful, and super easy to make. They’re perfect for BBQs, picnics, or just as a side to any meal. You can make them from scratch or use canned beans for a quicker option. Here’s a recipe for homemade baked beans that’s smoky, sweet, and tangy:
Ingredients:
- 2 cans (15 oz each) of baked beans (or 4 cups of cooked navy beans if you want to cook them from scratch)
- 1/2 lb (8 oz) bacon, chopped (optional, but it adds great flavor)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (you can adjust the sweetness to taste)
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard (yellow or Dijon)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or regular vinegar)
- 1 tsp garlic powder (or 1-2 cloves garlic, minced)
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional, but gives a smoky flavor)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare the bacon (if using):
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the chopped bacon until it’s crispy (about 5-7 minutes).
- Once cooked, remove the bacon and set it aside. Leave a little bacon fat in the skillet for flavor.
2. Sauté the onion:
- In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook in the bacon fat (or just a bit of oil if you didn’t use bacon) over medium heat until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Combine the ingredients:
- In a large bowl, mix the cooked bacon, sautéed onions, and the baked beans.
- Add the brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir everything together until well combined.
4. Bake the beans:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Transfer the beans to a baking dish (a 9×9-inch dish works well).
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
5. Finishing touch:
- After 30 minutes, remove the foil and stir the beans.
- Continue baking uncovered for another 15-20 minutes to let the flavors meld and to thicken the sauce.
6. Serve:
- Once the beans are hot, thickened, and bubbling, remove them from the oven. Let them cool for a few minutes, then serve and enjoy!
Optional Variations:
- Add a little heat: If you like spicy food, you can stir in a small amount of hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or chopped jalapeños for a kick.
- Smoky flavor: Use liquid smoke instead of smoked paprika for an even deeper smoky flavor.
- Vegetarian: Skip the bacon and use a little olive oil to sauté the onions. You can also add a bit of smoked paprika or liquid smoke to mimic the flavor of bacon.
Tips:
- Cook your beans from scratch: If you’re starting with dry beans, you’ll need to soak and cook them beforehand. You’ll need about 1 1/2 cups of dry navy beans to get 4 cups of cooked beans. Be sure to season them a bit before baking!
- Make it ahead: Baked beans taste even better the next day, so feel free to make them ahead of time and just reheat when you’re ready to serve.
These baked beans are super versatile and can be adjusted to match your taste, whether you want them sweeter, smokier, or with a little heat! What do you think, are you going to give them a try?
