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Easy Southern Baked Beans From Scratch

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A classic Southern baked beans recipe made from scratch using dry navy beans, smoky bacon, and a sweet-savory sauce perfect for BBQs and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) dry navy beans or great northern beans, soaked overnight
  • 6 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt, adjust to taste
  • About 4 cups (950 ml) water or low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 pound (450g) of dry navy beans under cold water. Place them in a large bowl and cover with about 3 inches of water. Let soak overnight (at least 8 hours).
  2. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
  3. In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, cook 6 slices chopped bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pot.
  4. Add 1 medium chopped yellow onion to the pot and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook another minute until fragrant.
  5. Drain soaked beans using a colander and rinse well under cold water to remove excess starch.
  6. Add the drained beans to the pot with onions and garlic. Pour in about 4 cups (950 ml) water or low-sodium chicken broth to cover the beans by 1 inch. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on stovetop for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add more water if liquid reduces too much.
  7. While beans simmer, stir together in a bowl: ½ cup packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons molasses, ½ cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt.
  8. After the beans have softened, stir the sauce mixture and crispy bacon into the pot. Mix well to combine.
  9. Transfer the Dutch oven (or cover the pot tightly with foil if using another oven-safe dish) to the preheated oven. Bake for 1 to 1½ hours, stirring every 30 minutes to prevent sticking. The sauce should thicken and caramelize slightly.
  10. Remove from oven when beans are tender and sauce is sticky and glossy. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or vinegar if desired. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not drain bacon fat after frying as it adds smoky flavor. Stir beans every 30 minutes during baking to prevent sticking. For quicker soaking, boil beans for 2 minutes then soak for 1 hour. Vegetarian version omits bacon and uses smoked paprika and liquid smoke. Slow cooker adaptation possible after stovetop simmering.

Nutrition

Keywords: Southern baked beans, baked beans from scratch, BBQ side dish, homemade baked beans, navy beans recipe, slow baked beans, Southern cooking

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/easy-southern-baked-beans-from-scratch-recipe-perfect-for-bbqs/