Flavorful Baked Beans from Scratch with Smoky Bacon

Why Make This Recipe

Baked beans can be a comforting and hearty side dish. Making Flavorful Baked Beans from Scratch with Smoky Bacon brings an extra layer of richness and depth to a classic dish. By using dried navy beans and fresh ingredients, you’ll create a meal that is not only satisfying but also healthier than canned options. The smoky flavor from the bacon combined with the sweetness of brown sugar makes this recipe irresistible. It’s perfect for family dinners, barbecues, or potlucks where you want to impress guests with your cooking skills.

How to Make Flavorful Baked Beans from Scratch with Smoky Bacon

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups (285 grams) dried navy beans
• 6 slices smoky bacon, chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• ¼ cup (50 grams) brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional but recommended)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 4 cups (950 ml) water or low-sodium chicken broth

Directions

1. Rinse the dried navy beans and soak them overnight in plenty of cold water (about 8 cups) or use the quick soak method: boil for 2 minutes then soak for 1 hour.
2. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
3. In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the chopped smoky bacon until it becomes crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the crispy bacon bits and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
4. Add the chopped onion to the bacon fat and sauté until it becomes translucent, which takes about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
5. Stir in the tomato paste, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
6. Drain the soaked beans and add them to the pot along with water or chicken broth. Stir to combine everything well.
7. Return the cooked bacon bits to the pot and season with salt and pepper (start with 1 teaspoon of salt). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes.
8. Cover the pot with a lid or foil and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for 1 to 1 ½ hours, checking occasionally and adding more water if needed. The beans should be tender but still hold their shape, and the sauce should thicken.
9. Taste the beans and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or vinegar as desired. Let the beans rest for 10 minutes before serving to thicken further.

How to Serve Flavorful Baked Beans from Scratch with Smoky Bacon

These baked beans are delicious served warm alongside grilled meats or as part of a hearty breakfast. You can also serve them over rice or with cornbread for a fuller meal. They make an excellent side dish for barbecues or picnics as well.

How to Store Flavorful Baked Beans from Scratch with Smoky Bacon

To store the leftover baked beans, let them cool completely and then transfer them to an airtight container. You can refrigerate them for up to 4-5 days. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing them. Just place them in a freezer-safe container, and they will last for about 3 months.

Tips to Make Flavorful Baked Beans from Scratch with Smoky Bacon

• Soaking the beans overnight helps them cook evenly and become tender. If you’re short on time, the quick soak method is a good alternative.
• Feel free to adjust the sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar, depending on your preference.
• For extra flavor, consider adding a bay leaf or some chopped peppers to the mix.
• If you have leftover beans, they can be reheated on the stovetop with a little added water or broth to bring back moisture.

Variation

You can swap the navy beans with other types of beans like pinto or black beans for a different flavor and texture. Additionally, for a vegetarian version, simply omit the bacon and use olive oil in place of the bacon fat. You can add smoked tofu for a similar smoky flavor.

FAQs

1. Can I use canned beans instead of dried beans?
   Yes, you can use canned beans. Just skip the soaking and simmering steps, and reduce the cooking time since canned beans are already cooked.
2. What should I do if the beans are still hard after baking?
   If the beans are not tender after baking, cover the pot again and return it to the oven, adding more liquid if necessary. Bake for an additional 30 minutes or until they soften.
3. Can I add other ingredients to the beans?
   Absolutely! You can add ingredients like diced tomatoes, jalapeños, or even different spices to customize the flavors to your liking.

Flavorful Baked Beans

These hearty baked beans are made from scratch with smoky bacon for a comforting side dish perfect for family dinners and barbecues.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 1 hour hr

Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Course BBQ, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

Beans

• 1.5 cups dried navy beans Rinsed and soaked overnight or quick-soaked

Bacon and Aromatics

• 6 slices smoky bacon, chopped Adds a rich smoky flavor
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped Provides sweetness and depth
• 3 cloves garlic, minced For added aroma

Sauce Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste For a tangy base
• 0.25 cup brown sugar Adjust sweetness to taste
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar For acidity
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard For tanginess
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce For depth of flavor
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika Optional but recommended for smokiness
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper, to taste For seasoning

Liquid

• 4 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth Use for cooking the beans

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Rinse the dried navy beans and soak them overnight in plenty of cold water or use the quick soak method: boil for 2 minutes then soak for 1 hour.
• Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).

Cooking

• In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the chopped smoky bacon until it becomes crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the crispy bacon bits and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
• Add the chopped onion to the bacon fat and sauté until it becomes translucent, which takes about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
• Stir in the tomato paste, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
• Drain the soaked beans and add them to the pot along with water or chicken broth. Stir to combine everything well.
• Return the cooked bacon bits to the pot and season with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes.
• Cover the pot with a lid or foil and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for 1 to 1 ½ hours, checking occasionally and adding more water if needed.
• Taste the beans and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or vinegar as desired. Let the beans rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

These baked beans can be served warm alongside grilled meats, over rice, or with cornbread. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. If reheating, add a little water or broth to restore moisture.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 10gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 600mgFiber: 10gSugar: 5g

Keyword Baked Beans, Comfort Food, Hearty Side Dish, Homemade Beans, Smoky Bacon

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!