Gran's Baked Beans

Savor the comforting, homestyle flavors of *Gran's Baked Beans*, a timeless dish that brings nostalgia to your table. This hearty recipe combines tender, slow-cooked navy beans with the smoky richness of crispy bacon and a sweet-tangy sauce made from molasses, ketchup, and a touch of Dijon mustard. Infused with the warmth of sautéed onions, garlic, and smoked paprika, these baked beans are oven-baked to perfection for a deeply savory, caramelized finish. Perfect as a classic barbecue side or a satisfying standalone dish, this crowd-pleaser is ideal for family gatherings or weeknight dinners. With simple pantry ingredients and an effortless hands-off cooking process, it’s everything you love about traditional baked beans, with a touch of homemade magic.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:210 mins

Total Time:225 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried navy beans
• 6 slices bacon
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 0.33 cup molasses
• 0.33 cup ketchup
• 0.25 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cups water

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the dried navy beans in cold water and pick out any debris. Place the beans in a large bowl, cover with water, and soak overnight, or for at least 8 hours.

Step 2

Drain and rinse the soaked beans. Set aside.

Step 3

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).

Step 4

In a large oven-safe Dutch oven or pot, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pot and place it on a plate lined with paper towels. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pot.

Step 5

Add the diced onion to the pot and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 6

Stir in the soaked beans, molasses, ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 7

Add 4 cups of water and stir well to combine. Chop the cooked bacon and stir it into the mixture.

Step 8

Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for 3 hours, stirring every hour to ensure the beans cook evenly and do not dry out.

Step 9

After 3 hours, check the beans for tenderness. If they are not fully soft, continue baking in 30-minute increments, adding a bit more water if needed.

Step 10

Once the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened, remove the pot from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.

Step 11

Serve warm as a side dish or enjoy it on its own with crusty bread. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1867.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2396.0

Total Fat 30.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.0g
Cholesterol 47.5mg	0%
Sodium 4291.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 424.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 72.6g	0%
Total Sugars 142.6g
Protein 119.5g	0%

Vitamin D 7.7IU	0%
Calcium 1021.5mg	0%
Iron 30.0mg	0%
Potassium 8480.0mg	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: 11.1%

Protein: 19.5%

Carbs: 69.4%