Traditional Appalachian Baked Beans

Discover the comforting flavors of Traditional Appalachian Baked Beans, a soul-warming dish that brings rustic simplicity to your table. This recipe features tender navy beans slow-cooked to perfection in a rich and savory sauce infused with molasses, brown sugar, and a touch of tangy apple cider vinegar. Crispy bacon and sautéed onions add depth and smoky flavor, while an oven-baked finish creates a lusciously thick caramelized glaze. Perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or a cozy family dinner, these baked beans capture the essence of Appalachian home cooking. A true classic, hearty and wholesome, made with ingredients you know and love.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:270 mins

Total Time:290 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried navy beans
• 8 cups water
• 6 slices bacon
• 1 large onion
• 0.5 cup molasses
• 0.25 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 0.25 cup ketchup
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups water (additional for baking)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the dried navy beans under cold water and remove any debris.

Step 2

Place the beans in a large pot and cover them with 8 cups of water. Let the beans soak overnight or for at least 8 hours.

Step 3

After soaking, drain and rinse the beans. Refill the pot with fresh water and bring the beans to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 60 minutes, or until the beans are tender. Drain and set aside.

Step 4

Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).

Step 5

While the oven is heating, chop the bacon into small pieces and cook in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place on a plate lined with paper towels. Reserve the bacon drippings in the skillet.

Step 6

Dice the onion and sauté it in the bacon drippings until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 7

In a large oven-safe baking dish or Dutch oven, combine the cooked beans, crispy bacon, sautéed onion, molasses, brown sugar, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, salt, and black pepper.

Step 8

Pour 2 cups of water into the baking dish and stir everything to combine.

Step 9

Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil or a lid and bake in the preheated oven for 2 hours.

Step 10

After 2 hours, remove the lid or foil, stir the beans, and bake uncovered for an additional 1 hour, allowing the sauce to thicken and caramelize.

Step 11

Once done, remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your Traditional Appalachian Baked Beans!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3431.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2526.3

Total Fat 25.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.0g
Cholesterol 47.5mg	0%
Sodium 6261.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 470.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 73.4g	0%
Total Sugars 185.0g
Protein 121.6g	0%

Vitamin D 7.7IU	0%
Calcium 1219.5mg	0%
Iron 33.2mg	0%
Potassium 9449.9mg	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: 8.8%

Protein: 18.7%

Carbs: 72.5%