Really Good Baked Beans

Elevate your next gathering with these "Really Good Baked Beans," a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for backyard barbecues or cozy family dinners. Made with tender dried navy beans, smoky bacon, and a rich, tangy sauce featuring brown sugar, molasses, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar, these baked beans strike a perfect balance of sweetness and smokiness. Slowly baked to perfection in a Dutch oven, the sauce develops an irresistible depth, accentuated by a dash of smoked paprika and Worcestershire sauce. Whether served as a comforting side dish or a satisfying main with crusty bread, this recipe is sure to become a crowd favorite. Easy to make ahead and even more delicious the next day, these homemade baked beans are far superior to anything from a can! Perfect for "slow-cooked recipes," "homemade baked beans," and "comfort food sides."

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:260 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Dried navy beans
• 6 slices Bacon
• 1 medium Yellow onion
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves
• 1 cup Ketchup
• 0.75 cup Brown sugar
• 0.25 cup Molasses
• 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 4 cups Water
• 2 cups Chicken broth

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the dried navy beans under cold water and remove any debris. Place them in a large bowl and cover with water. Soak the beans overnight or for at least 8 hours.

Step 2

After soaking, drain and rinse the beans. Set aside.

Step 3

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).

Step 4

In a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pot and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings in the pot.

Step 5

Chop the cooked bacon into small pieces and set aside.

Step 6

In the same pot with the reserved bacon drippings, add the diced onion. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 7

Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.

Step 8

Add the soaked and drained beans to the pot, followed by the water and chicken broth. Stir everything together until combined.

Step 9

Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Once simmering, cover the pot with a lid and transfer it to the preheated oven.

Step 10

Bake the beans for 3 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and the sauce is thick. If the mixture appears too dry, add a splash of water as needed.

Step 11

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if necessary.

Step 12

Serve hot as a side dish or enjoy as a main course with fresh bread. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2544.6 grams (2544.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2730

Total Fat 24.20g	31%
Saturated Fat 7.20g	36%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.00g
Cholesterol 48mg	16%
Sodium 5592mg	243%
Total Carbohydrate 519.90g	189%
Dietary Fiber 72.70g	260%
Total Sugars 224.70g
Protein 126.20g	252%

Vitamin D 8IU	39%
Calcium 1090mg	84%
Iron 32mg	175%
Potassium 8751mg	186%

*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: 7.8%

Protein: 18.0%

Carbs: 74.2%