Down Home Baked Beans

Get ready to savor the comforting flavors of "Down Home Baked Beans," a rich and hearty side dish that's perfect for family dinners, barbecues, and potlucks. This crowd-pleasing recipe combines tender navy beans with crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and a luscious homemade sauce made from ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, and a touch of Dijon mustard. The smoky undertones of paprika and optional liquid smoke add irresistible depth to every bite. Baked low and slow in the oven, these beans develop a thick, flavorful sauce that clings to each morsel. Serve them warm alongside grilled meats or cornbread, and watch them disappear! With an easy prep time of just 15 minutes, this classic Southern dish is a time-tested favorite that’s sure to steal the spotlight.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:135 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 cups canned navy beans (drained and rinsed)
• 6 slices bacon (diced)
• 1 medium yellow onion (diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 0.5 cups ketchup
• 0.25 cups brown sugar (packed)
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoons liquid smoke (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cups water

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).

Step 2

In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until it becomes crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.

Step 3

Add the diced onion to the pan and sauté in the bacon fat for 4-5 minutes, or until softened and translucent.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, liquid smoke (if using), salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.

Step 6

Add the drained and rinsed navy beans and cooked bacon back into the skillet. Stir to coat the beans evenly with the sauce.

Step 7

Pour in the water and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 8

Transfer the skillet or Dutch oven to the preheated oven. Bake uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring once halfway through, until the sauce has thickened and the beans are richly flavored.

Step 9

Remove from the oven and let the baked beans sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Step 10

Serve warm as a side dish or enjoy it as a hearty main course.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1643.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1809.9

Total Fat 45.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 13.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 99mg	0%
Sodium 5834.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 281.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 49.1g	0%
Total Sugars 124.9g
Protein 81.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 584.9mg	0%
Iron 17.4mg	0%
Potassium 4154.6mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 21.9%

Protein: 17.5%

Carbs: 60.7%