Apple Smoked Baked Beans
Get ready to elevate your barbecue sides with these rich and smoky Apple Smoked Baked Beans! This hearty recipe combines tender navy beans with the bold flavors of applewood smoked bacon, sweet molasses, and a touch of tangy apple cider vinegar. Infused with an irresistible depth thanks to smoked paprika and optional applewood chips, these baked beans are slow-cooked to perfection for a melt-in-your-mouth texture and a sweet, smoky finish. Whether baked in the oven or finished in a smoker for an extra punch of flavor, this dish pairs beautifully with grilled meats, cornbread, or a crisp coleslaw. Ideal for backyard cookouts, potlucks, or cozy family meals, these baked beans are a comforting crowd-pleaser you’ll want to make again and again.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Dried navy beans
- 6 slices Applewood smoked bacon
- 1 medium (diced) Yellow onion
- 3 cloves (minced) Garlic
- 1 cup Ketchup
- 0.33 cup Brown sugar
- 0.25 cup Molasses
- 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1.5 cups Apple juice
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 handful (for smoking) Applewood smoking chips (optional but recommended)
Instructions
Rinse and soak the navy beans in cold water overnight. Drain and rinse before cooking.
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
In a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, cook the applewood smoked bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
Add the diced onion to the pot and sauté in the bacon fat until softened, about 5 minutes. Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute.
Chop the cooked bacon into small pieces and set aside for later.
Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and smoked paprika. Cook for 2 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
Add the soaked and drained beans to the pot, followed by the apple juice, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
Bring the mixture to a simmer on the stovetop, then cover the pot and transfer it to the preheated oven.
Bake for 3.5 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are soft and tender. If needed, add a splash more apple juice or water during cooking to keep the beans saucy.
For added smoky flavor, prepare an outdoor smoker with applewood chips and smoke the beans (in an oven-safe dish) for 30 minutes before serving. Alternatively, add liquid smoke (2-3 drops) to the pot during cooking.
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve warm and garnish with the chopped bacon.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
522 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 10.7 g | 14% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.3 g | 17% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 15 mg | 5% | |
| Sodium | 888 mg | 39% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 87.8 g | 32% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.0 g | 43% | |
| Total Sugars | 39.3 g | ||
| Protein | 23.2 g | 46% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 160 mg | 12% | |
| Iron | 5.1 mg | 28% | |
| Potassium | 1440 mg | 31% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
