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Comforting Family Reunion Baked Beans Recipe with Smoky Bacon Easy and Perfect

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A simple, smoky, and slightly sweet baked beans recipe featuring thick-cut smoky bacon, perfect for family gatherings and potlucks. This comforting dish is easy to prepare and delivers rich, hearty flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 cups dry navy beans (about 300g), soaked overnight
  • 6–8 slices thick-cut smoky bacon, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons molasses (can substitute with honey)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 4 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1.5 cups of dry navy beans and soak them in a large bowl with plenty of cold water overnight (8-12 hours).
  2. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
  3. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook 6-8 chopped slices of smoky bacon until crisp but not burnt, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
  4. Add 1 medium chopped yellow onion to the bacon fat and cook until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Mix in 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons molasses, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and about 1 teaspoon salt. Stir well to combine.
  6. Drain soaked beans and add them to the pot. Pour in 4 cups of water or low-sodium chicken broth to cover the beans. Stir gently to combine flavors.
  7. Cover the Dutch oven and bake in the preheated oven for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes to prevent sticking. Beans should be tender but not mushy, and sauce thickened and glossy.
  8. Remove from oven and stir in the cooked bacon. Taste and adjust salt or sweetness if needed. If sauce is too thin, simmer uncovered on stovetop for a few minutes.
  9. Let the beans rest for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.

Notes

Soak beans overnight for best texture. Crisp bacon without burning to render flavorful fat. Stir beans every 30 minutes during baking to prevent sticking. Adjust sweetness and salt to taste after baking. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and add smoked paprika and liquid smoke. Slow cooker option available.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, smoky bacon, family reunion, comfort food, potluck recipe, easy baked beans, smoky baked beans, navy beans, slow baked beans

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/comforting-family-reunion-baked-beans-recipe-with-smoky-bacon-easy-and-perfect/