Cousin Carolines Baked Beans
Cousin Caroline's Baked Beans are the ultimate comfort food, blending sweet, smoky, and savory flavors into a hearty side dish that's perfect for gatherings or everyday meals. This easy baked beans recipe starts with tender navy beans and crispy thick-cut bacon, sautéed with aromatic onions and garlic for a flavorful base. The homemade sauce, featuring ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, and a hint of Dijon mustard, is perfectly seasoned with smoked paprika, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of salt and pepper. Slowly baked to caramelized perfection, these baked beans boast a thick, rich sauce and a satisfying depth of flavor. Serve them warm at your next barbecue, holiday feast, or alongside grilled favorites for an unforgettable crowd-pleaser.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 cups canned navy beans
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 cup water
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Open and drain the canned navy beans and set them aside.
Chop the thick-cut bacon into small pieces and cook in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the cooked bacon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
Finely dice the yellow onion and sauté it in the rendered bacon fat over medium heat until it becomes soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute, stirring constantly.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and water until well combined.
Add the drained navy beans and cooked bacon back into the skillet with the sautéed onion and garlic. Pour the sauce mixture over the beans and stir thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then transfer the skillet to the preheated oven.
Bake uncovered for 75-90 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the sauce has thickened and the top is slightly caramelized.
Remove from the oven and let the baked beans rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Serve warm as a side dish or enjoy it on its own. Refrigerate any leftovers for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
390 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 7.8 g | 10% | |
| Saturated Fat | 2.5 g | 12% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 19 mg | 6% | |
| Sodium | 1044 mg | 45% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 68.1 g | 25% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.9 g | 25% | |
| Total Sugars | 39.2 g | ||
| Protein | 15.1 g | 30% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 112 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 3.3 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 681 mg | 14% | |
*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.
