Description
A rich and flavorful baked beans recipe that’s easy to customize. Perfect as a side dish for BBQs, potlucks, or family dinners, this dish combines the sweetness of molasses with smoky and savory flavors for a comforting classic.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups navy beans (dry or canned)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional for vegetarians)
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup or tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- If using dry beans, soak them overnight and cook until tender. If using canned beans, drain and rinse them.
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions, garlic, and green bell peppers until softened.
- In a Dutch oven or baking dish, combine the beans, sautéed vegetables, molasses, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika. Stir to mix.
- Top with crumbled bacon, if using.
- Cover the dish with a lid or foil and bake for 1.5–2 hours, stirring occasionally. For a caramelized top, uncover for the last 30 minutes.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- For vegetarian or vegan options, replace bacon with smoked paprika or plant-based bacon.
- Adjust sweetness or smokiness by tweaking the amount of molasses or smoked paprika.
- Use a slow cooker or stovetop method for alternate cooking options.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
Keywords: Baked beans recipe, slow-cooked baked beans, homemade baked beans, BBQ baked beans, molasses baked beans