Baked Beans

5 from 6 votes

Unveil the secret to truly memorable cookouts with these divine Baked Beans. Infused with a rich melody of molasses, brown sugar, and a dash of allspice, these beans are so much more than a side dish; they're the unsung hero of comfort food. Topped off with thick-cut bacon and baked to perfection, this recipe offers a symphony of flavors that'll have everyone begging for your culinary secrets.

Prep Time15

Cook Time2 15

Total Time2 30

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked beans

Servings:

Calories: 398kcal

Author: Joanna Cismaru

Equipment

6 Quart Dutch Oven

Ingredients

45 ounces navy beans or great northern beans, drained and rinsed, 3 cans
1 large onion
½ cup molasses
⅓ cup brown sugar
¼ cup ketchup
¼ cup yellow mustard
salt and pepper to taste
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
4 ounces thick-cut bacon diced

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
In a large bowl, mix together the chopped onion, molasses, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, salt, black pepper, ground cloves, and allspice.
Stir the drained and rinsed canned beans into the sauce mixture, making sure each bean is coated with the sauce.
Scatter half of the diced bacon on the bottom of a 3-quart oven-safe baking dish or Dutch oven. Pour the bean and sauce mixture into the dish. If needed, add a small amount of water to just cover the beans. Top with the remaining diced bacon.
Cover the baking dish with a lid or aluminum foil and bake for 1-1.5 hours, checking occasionally to ensure the beans don't dry out. Add a little water if necessary.
Remove the lid or foil and bake for an additional 30-45 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
Remove the baked beans from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Bean Varieties: This recipe calls for navy beans or great northern beans, but you can also experiment with other types like pinto or kidney beans. Just make sure to adjust cooking times as needed.
Molasses Substitute: If you don't have molasses on hand, you can use maple syrup or dark corn syrup as a substitute, but keep in mind that the flavor profile will vary slightly.
Bacon Bits: Thick-cut bacon is recommended for a richer flavor, but you can opt for turkey bacon for a leaner option. Alternatively, you can omit the bacon entirely for a vegetarian version; just add a dash of smoked paprika for that smoky flavor.
Water Level: Check the water level occasionally while baking. If the beans seem to be drying out, you can add a little water to keep them moist.
Serving Suggestions: These baked beans pair excellently with grilled meats and are a great addition to any barbecue spread. They also reheat well, making them a fantastic make-ahead option.

Nutrition