Comfy Baked Beans
Warm, rich, and bursting with smoky-sweet flavor, Comfy Baked Beans are the ultimate cozy dish for any occasion. Made from tender navy beans, slow-cooked to perfection in a savory sauce infused with bacon, molasses, brown sugar, and smoked paprika, this recipe delivers a deep, homemade taste that's impossible to beat. With a preparation process that combines stovetop simmering and oven-baking, these baked beans develop layers of delicious, caramelized flavor. Perfect as a hearty side dish or a comforting main, this recipe pairs beautifully with cornbread, grilled meats, or roasted vegetables. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue or craving a classic comfort food, Comfy Baked Beans will quickly become a family favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried navy beans
- 6 cups water
- 6 slices bacon
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 0.33 cup brown sugar
- 0.25 cup molasses
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup water (additional if needed)
Instructions
Rinse the dried navy beans thoroughly under cold water and remove any small debris or damaged beans.
In a large pot, combine the navy beans with 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 1 hour, or until the beans are tender but still hold their shape. Drain and set aside.
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. Once cool, crumble the bacon and set aside, leaving about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet.
Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the bacon grease and sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
Stir in the tomato paste, brown sugar, molasses, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, ground black pepper, and salt. Mix well and cook for 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Add the chicken or vegetable broth to the skillet and stir to combine. Allow the mixture to heat through, about 2 minutes.
In a large, oven-safe baking dish or Dutch oven, combine the drained navy beans, the braised onion mixture, and the crumbled bacon. Stir well to ensure the beans are fully coated in the sauce.
Cover the dish tightly with a lid or aluminum foil and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally and adding up to 1 cup of additional water if the mixture starts to dry out.
After 2.5 hours, uncover the dish and bake for an additional 30 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
Remove the baked beans from the oven and let them cool for 10 minutes before serving. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
Serve warm and enjoy the comforting flavors of homemade baked beans!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2171 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 28.4 g | 36% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.5 g | 38% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 48 mg | 16% | |
| Sodium | 6229 mg | 271% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 377.7 g | 137% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 66.9 g | 239% | |
| Total Sugars | 125.4 g | ||
| Protein | 114.1 g | 228% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 988 mg | 76% | |
| Iron | 28.4 mg | 158% | |
| Potassium | 7901 mg | 168% | |
*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.
