Description
This classic baked beans recipe features crispy bacon, sautéed vegetables, and a flavorful blend of spices and sauces. Slow-baked until perfectly thick and savory, these beans make a hearty side dish ideal for barbecues, family dinners, or potlucks.
Ingredients
Meat
- 8 slices of bacon, diced
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Spices and Sauces
- ¼ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp BBQ sauce
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
Other
- 2 (22 oz) cans baked beans
- Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for slow baking the beans later.
- Cook bacon: In a large sauté pan over medium heat, cook the diced bacon until it becomes crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pan.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the bacon fat in the pan. Cook them until softened, about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add spices and sauces: Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, apple cider vinegar, BBQ sauce, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar. Cook this mixture for about 3 minutes to combine the flavors.
- Add beans and seasoning: Pour in the canned baked beans and mix well. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Bring the whole mixture to a gentle boil, stirring frequently. Once boiling, remove from heat.
- Bake the beans: Transfer the bean mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beans reach your preferred consistency, stirring once or twice during baking if desired.
- Rest before serving: Let the baked beans rest for 5 to 10 minutes after removing them from the oven to allow flavors to settle and thicken before serving.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and consider adding smoked paprika or liquid smoke for a smoky flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar according to your preference.
- If you prefer thicker beans, bake closer to 2 hours; for saucier beans, reduce baking time slightly.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 4 days and can be reheated on the stovetop or in the microwave.
