Description
A rich, sweet, and savory baked bean recipe featuring bacon, brown sugar, and molasses for an indulgent side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds dried navy beans, soaked overnight and drained
- 1 pound thick-cut bacon, diced
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup bourbon (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large pot, cook the soaked and drained navy beans in fresh water until tender, about 1 to 1.5 hours. Drain the beans, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
- In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet.
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook in the bacon grease until soft, about 5 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked beans, cooked bacon, cooked onion, brown sugar, molasses, ketchup, mustard, apple cider vinegar, bourbon (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Stir in the reserved bean cooking liquid until the mixture is moist but not soupy.
- Transfer the bean mixture to a large oven-safe casserole dish (at least 3 quarts).
- Bake uncovered for 1 hour and 30 minutes, stirring halfway through. The sauce should thicken and the top should become slightly caramelized.
- Let the beans rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a slow cooker method, combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
- If you skip the bourbon, add 1 tablespoon of liquid smoke for depth of flavor.
- You can substitute navy beans with Great Northern beans.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 2 hr 30 min
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 15g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 20mg