The combination of sweet and savory flavors in this Easy Baked Beans recipe is a classic crowd-pleaser. The sweetness in this recipe comes from brown sugar and molasses. The savory element comes from the beans themselves and enhanced with bacon, mustard, and worcestershire sauce. Smoked paprika brings that smoky element reminiscent of a backyard barbeque.
These Easy Baked Bean pairs well with many dishes, including the Great American Cheeseburger. Beans can be served hot or cold, but I recommend that they are nice and warm for your guests.
Feel free to modify this recipe with your own favorite ingredients. Try adding some slices of onion to the top while baking or add some bacon bits right before serving as a nice, tasty, and smoky garnish.
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Ingredients for Easy Baked Beans
- 3/4 lb. apple or cherrywood smoked bacon, finely chopped
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, finely chopped
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp. kosher salt, divided
- 1 c. ketchup
- 1/2 c. molasses
- 1/4 c. Dijon mustard
- 1/4 c. packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 c. water
- 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 3 (15-oz.) cans navy beans, drained, rinsed
Directions for making Easy Baked Beans
Preheat your oven to 350°.
Place chopped bacon in a cold, large Dutch oven or oven-proof pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until browned and much of the fat is rendered, about 10 minutes.
Remove ⅓ of the cooked bacon and reserve for garnish. Drain off all but 4 tablespoons of the bacon fat.
Return the Dutch oven to medium heat and add onion, bell pepper, black pepper, paprika, and 1 teaspoon salt. Continue to cook, stirring often, until vegetables are tender and fragrant, about 10 minutes.
Stir in ketchup, molasses, mustard, brown sugar, water, vinegar, Worcestershire, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes, then remove from heat. Add beans and gently stir to combine.
Transfer the Dutch oven to the oven and bake, uncovered, until slightly reduced, bubbly, and browned on top, about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before stirring and serving. Garnish with bacon bits.
Optional Easy Baked Beans Method - Using dried navy beans
3/4 lb dried navy beans
Rinse the beans in a colander to remove dirt. Sort them by hand to remove any pebbles, twigs, imperfect beans, etc.
Soak the beans in cold water overnight or for at least 8 hours. Drain water.
Place soaked beans in a dutch oven. Cover beans with fresh water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently until beans are tender but firm. Most beans will cook in 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on the variety.
After the beans are cooked, drain and allow to cool.
Follow the recipe as stated above.
