Baked beans

Southern Homemade Baked Beans with Bacon based 

Ingredients

Beans:

1 lb dry navy beans (or substitute 3 cans of cooked beans)

Sauce:

½ cup ketchup

¼ cup molasses

¼ cup brown sugar

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp mustard powder

1 tsp smoked paprika

Other Ingredients:

6-8 slices of bacon, chopped

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups water or broth

Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the Beans (If Using Dry Beans):

Rinse and soak navy beans overnight. Drain and rinse again.

In a large pot, cover the beans with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 1 hour, or until tender. Drain and set aside.

2. Cook the Bacon and Aromatics:

In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set aside.

In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion and garlic in the bacon grease until soft and fragrant (about 3-5 minutes).

3. Prepare the Sauce:

In a bowl, mix ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard powder, and smoked paprika. Stir well.

4. Combine and Bake:

Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).

In a baking dish or oven-safe pot, combine the cooked beans, sautéed onions and garlic, bacon, and sauce mixture. Add 2 cups of water or broth and stir to combine.

Cover and bake for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. Add water if needed to prevent drying out.

5. Final Touches:

Remove the lid in the last 30 minutes of baking for a thicker consistency.

Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.

6. Serve:

Let the baked beans rest for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy with cornbread, grilled meats, or as a standalone dish!