Name: Simple Baked Beans Recipe with a Rich, Smoky Flavor
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Ingredients: 1 pound dried navy beans; 6 slices thick-cut meat , chopped; 1 large yellow onion, diced; 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed); 1/4 cup molasses; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 4 cups hot water (approximately)

Nothing quite compares to the rich, smoky aroma of homemade baked beans slowly cooking in your kitchen. Furthermore, this timeless comfort food has been gracing American tables for generations, bringing families together with its perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Whether you’re planning a backyard barbecue, hosting a potluck dinner, or simply craving a hearty side dish, this classic baked beans recipe will undoubtedly become your go-to favorite.

Additionally, making baked beans from scratch allows you to control every ingredient, ensuring a healthier and more flavorful result than store-bought alternatives. Moreover, the process itself is surprisingly simple, requiring minimal hands-on time while delivering maximum flavor impact. Consequently, you’ll discover that homemade baked beans are not only delicious but also incredibly satisfying to prepare.

Table of Content

Why I Love This Baked Beans Recipe
Ingredient Key: Understanding Each Component
Step-by-Step Instructions
Essential Tips for Perfect Baked Beans
Storage and Reheating Guidelines
Nutrition Information
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Why I Love This Baked Beans Recipe

After testing countless variations over the years, this particular recipe has consistently proven to be the most reliable and delicious. First and foremost, it strikes the perfect balance between sweetness and smokiness without being overpowering. Additionally, the texture achieves that ideal consistency – tender beans swimming in a thick, glossy sauce that clings beautifully to each bean.

Furthermore, this recipe is incredibly versatile and forgiving. For instance, if you prefer a sweeter profile, you can easily adjust the brown sugar content. Alternatively, if you enjoy more heat, simply increase the amount of mustard or add a dash of hot sauce. Moreover, the cooking method ensures consistent results every time, eliminating the guesswork that often accompanies bean cookery.

Most importantly, this recipe creates memories. Indeed, the slow, gentle cooking process fills your home with an irresistible aroma that draws everyone to the kitchen. Subsequently, you’ll find yourself making this dish repeatedly for special occasions and everyday meals alike.

Ingredient Key: Understanding Each Component

The magic of exceptional baked beans lies in understanding how each ingredient contributes to the final dish. Primarily, we start with navy beans, also known as white beans, which provide the perfect creamy texture and mild flavor that absorbs all the surrounding seasonings beautifully.

Next, meat serves as the smoky foundation, rendering its fat to create depth and richness throughout the sauce. Meanwhile, onions add aromatic sweetness and body, creating a flavorful base that supports all other ingredients. Similarly, brown sugar contributes essential sweetness while balancing the acidity from other components.

Additionally, molasses brings that distinctive deep, complex sweetness that defines traditional baked beans. Furthermore, Dijon mustard adds subtle tang and helps emulsify the sauce. Simultaneously, tomato paste provides acidity and helps thicken the cooking liquid. Finally, Worcestershire sauce contributes umami depth, while apple cider vinegar brightens the overall flavor profile.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation Phase

Initially, sort through your dried navy beans carefully, removing any debris or damaged beans. Subsequently, rinse them thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. Then, place the beans in a large bowl and cover with cold water by at least 3 inches, as they will expand significantly overnight.

Cooking Process

First, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) while you prepare the remaining ingredients. Meanwhile, drain and rinse the soaked beans thoroughly. Next, place them in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot with a tight-fitting lid.

Subsequently, chop the meat into small pieces and cook in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Then, remove the meat with a slotted spoon, leaving the rendered fat in the pan. Afterward, add the diced onions to the meat fat and cook until softened and translucent, approximately 5-7 minutes.

Following this, add the cooked meat back to the onions, then transfer this mixture to the pot with the beans. Next, combine the brown sugar, molasses, tomato paste, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar in a large measuring cup. Subsequently, add enough hot water to bring the total liquid to 4 cups, stirring until well combined.

Then, pour this mixture over the beans, ensuring they’re completely covered by at least an inch of liquid. Additionally, add more hot water if necessary. Cover the pot tightly and place in the preheated oven.

Final Cooking Stage

Initially, bake for 2 hours without disturbing. Afterward, check the liquid level and add more hot water if the beans appear dry. Furthermore, taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Subsequently, continue baking for another 1-2 hours, checking every 30 minutes and adding liquid as necessary.

Finally, during the last hour of cooking, remove the lid to allow the sauce to thicken and develop a beautiful glaze on top. Ultimately, the beans are finished when they’re tender throughout and the sauce has reached your desired consistency.

Essential Tips for Perfect Baked Beans

First and foremost, always soak your beans overnight – this step cannot be skipped as it ensures even cooking and proper texture. Additionally, never add salt or acidic ingredients during the initial cooking phase, as they can prevent the beans from softening properly.

Moreover, patience is crucial for exceptional results. Consequently, resist the urge to increase the oven temperature, as slow, gentle cooking develops the best flavor and texture. Furthermore, check the liquid level regularly, especially during the final hours of cooking.

Similarly, taste and adjust seasonings throughout the cooking process. For instance, you might want to add more brown sugar for sweetness or extra mustard for tang. Additionally, if the sauce becomes too thick, gradually add hot water. Conversely, if it’s too thin, continue cooking uncovered to promote evaporation.

Storage and Reheating Guidelines

Fortunately, baked beans store exceptionally well and often taste even better the next day. Initially, allow the beans to cool completely before transferring to airtight containers. Subsequently, they can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

When reheating, add a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking and restore the proper consistency. Additionally, reheat gently over low heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally. Alternatively, you can reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval.

Furthermore, frozen baked beans should be thawed overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Subsequently, they may require a bit more liquid during reheating to achieve the original consistency.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 240 kcal
Protein: 12g
Total Fat: 1.5g
Saturated Fat: 0.3g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Dietary Fiber: 10g
Sugars: 12g (includes natural and added sugars)
Sodium: 600mg

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In conclusion, this homemade baked beans recipe represents comfort food at its finest. Moreover, the combination of tender beans, smoky meat , and sweet molasses creates an irresistible dish that satisfies both the stomach and the soul. Additionally, the slow cooking process allows flavors to develop and meld together beautifully, resulting in a dish that’s far superior to any canned alternative.

Furthermore, the versatility of this recipe means you can customize it to suit your family’s preferences while maintaining the classic appeal that makes baked beans so beloved. Subsequently, whether served alongside grilled meats, cornbread, or enjoyed on their own, these baked beans will undoubtedly become a cherished addition to your recipe collection.

Finally, the satisfaction of creating this dish from scratch, combined with the wonderful aromas that fill your kitchen during cooking, makes this recipe truly special. Therefore, gather your ingredients, embrace the slow cooking process, and prepare to enjoy one of America’s most treasured comfort foods.