My Favorite Baked Beans

Experience comfort food at its finest with My Favorite Baked Beans, a rich and hearty dish brimming with smoky, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors. This recipe starts with tender, slow-baked navy beans infused with the savory richness of crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and garlic. A perfectly balanced sauce made with ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, and a touch of Dijon mustard adds depth, while smoked paprika and Worcestershire sauce deliver a subtle smokiness. These baked beans are oven-braised to perfection, creating a thick, luscious texture ideal for gatherings, potlucks, or family dinners. Whether served as a satisfying side dish or a main course paired with crusty bread, these homemade baked beans are guaranteed to impress! Tags: homemade baked beans, slow-baked beans, comfort food, smoky baked beans, side dish ideas.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:260 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound dry navy beans
• 6 slices bacon, diced
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup ketchup
• 0.333 cup molasses
• 0.25 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cups water or chicken broth

Directions

Step 1

Rinse and soak the navy beans in water overnight, or follow a quick-soak method by boiling for 1 minute and letting them sit for 1 hour. Drain and rinse the beans.

Step 2

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).

Step 3

In a large oven-safe Dutch oven or deep skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set it aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.

Step 4

Add the chopped onion to the bacon fat and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes to enhance its flavor.

Step 6

Add the soaked beans, cooked bacon, ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and water or chicken broth to the pot. Stir well to combine.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover the pot with a lid and transfer it to the preheated oven.

Step 8

Bake in the oven for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. If the beans appear too dry during baking, add a little more water or broth as needed.

Step 9

Remove the pot from the oven and let the beans rest for 10 minutes before serving. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.

Step 10

Serve warm as a side dish or enjoy it as a main meal with crusty bread.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2105.6 grams (2105.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2812

Total Fat 48.30g	62%
Saturated Fat 14.10g	71%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.10g
Cholesterol 99mg	33%
Sodium 5547mg	241%
Total Carbohydrate 472.50g	172%
Dietary Fiber 73.80g	264%
Total Sugars 170.40g
Protein 137.90g	276%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1003mg	77%
Iron 32mg	177%
Potassium 9225mg	196%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 15.1%

Protein: 19.2%

Carbs: 65.7%