Oven-Baked Beans with Bacon
This classic baked bean recipe is a must-have for any backyard barbecue or potluck. Made with simple ingredients like navy beans, bacon, brown sugar, and molasses, these beans are packed with flavor and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
4 cups cooked navy beans (or 2 cans, drained and rinsed)
6 slices bacon, diced
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup ketchup
⅓ cup brown sugar
¼ cup molasses
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving about 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet.
Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add the chopped onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl, mix the ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Combine Everything: In a baking dish, combine the cooked beans, sautéed onions and garlic, crispy bacon, and the sauce. Mix well to coat everything evenly.
Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes to thicken the sauce.
Serve: Let the baked beans cool slightly before serving. They're perfect as a side for barbecues or family dinners!
