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Classic Southern Baked Beans Recipe with Sweet Smoky Bacon

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A simple, soulful southern baked beans recipe featuring navy beans slow baked with sweet smoky bacon, molasses, and brown sugar. Perfect for BBQs and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) dried navy beans, soaked overnight or quick soaked by boiling 1 hour
  • 8 ounces (225g) thick-cut sweet smoky bacon, chopped
  • ½ cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup (60ml) molasses (unsulfured recommended)
  • ½ cup (120ml) ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) yellow mustard
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • About 2 cups (480ml) water or bean soaking liquid

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 pound navy beans under cold water. Soak overnight in a large bowl with 6 cups cold water or quick soak by boiling beans for 1 minute then soaking for 1 hour. Drain and rinse beans before cooking.
  2. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 8 ounces chopped thick-cut sweet smoky bacon until fat renders and bacon is just crisp (about 6-8 minutes). Remove bacon with a slotted spoon; reserve the fat in the pan.
  3. In the bacon fat, add 1 medium finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent (about 4 minutes). Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add soaked beans back into the pot with onions and garlic. Pour in 2 cups water or bean soaking liquid. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook gently for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender but not falling apart.
  5. In a mixing bowl, combine ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup molasses, ½ cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar. Stir well to combine.
  6. Drain beans slightly if too watery (reserve some liquid). Mix beans with the sauce, cooked bacon, and season with salt and black pepper to taste. If mixture seems dry, add a splash of reserved liquid or water.
  7. Transfer bean mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover with foil and bake in preheated oven for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes. The sauce should thicken and the beans become rich and creamy.
  8. Remove foil for the last 15 minutes to let the top caramelize slightly. Let beans rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Soak beans overnight for best texture. Use thick-cut sweet smoky bacon for authentic flavor. Bake low and slow at 325°F (160°C) for 1.5-2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes to prevent sticking. Let beans rest after baking to thicken sauce. Add hot water if beans dry out during baking. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and use smoked paprika or liquid smoke with olive oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: southern baked beans, baked beans recipe, sweet smoky bacon, BBQ side dish, navy beans, molasses baked beans, classic southern recipe

Find it online: https://evabake.com/classic-southern-baked-beans-recipe-with-sweet-smoky-bacon-easy-and-perfect-for-bbqs/