Here’s a simple and delicious way to make Baked Beans, whether as a side for breakfast, barbecue, or comfort food.
🍲 Classic Baked Beans Recipe
Serves 4–6
Ingredients
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2 cups dried navy beans (or 4 cups canned beans, drained)
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1 onion, finely chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1/2 cup ketchup or tomato sauce
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1/4 cup brown sugar
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2 tablespoons molasses
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1 tablespoon mustard (Dijon or yellow)
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1 teaspoon smoked paprika
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Salt and black pepper to taste
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4 cups water or vegetable broth
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Optional: 4 slices of bacon, chopped
Instructions
1. Prepare the Beans
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If using dried beans: Soak overnight in water, then drain.
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Boil in fresh water for 45–60 minutes until tender, then drain.
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If using canned beans: Drain and rinse well.
2. Preheat Oven
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Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C) if you’re baking on the stove-to-oven method.
3. Cook Aromatics
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In a saucepan or oven-safe pot, sauté onion and garlic in a little oil or butter until soft and translucent.
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If using bacon, cook it with the onions until slightly crisp.
4. Mix the Sauce
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Add ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper to the onion mixture.
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Stir well to combine.
5. Combine Beans and Sauce
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Add beans to the pot.
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Pour in 4 cups of water or broth (enough to cover the beans slightly).
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Stir gently to combine.
6. Bake the Beans
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Cover the pot and bake 1.5–2 hours in the oven, stirring occasionally.
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For stovetop method, simmer on low heat for 1–2 hours, partially covered.
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Check liquid: add a little water or broth if beans start drying out.
7. Serve
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Beans should be thick and saucy.
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Serve hot as a side dish, over toast, or with grilled meats.
💡 Tips for Perfect Baked Beans
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Sweetness & tang: Adjust brown sugar or molasses to taste.
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Smoky flavor: Add smoked paprika or a little liquid smoke.
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Vegetarian version: Skip bacon; sauté mushrooms or smoked tofu instead.
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Make ahead: Baked beans taste even better the next day as flavors meld.
If you want, I can also give a quick 30-minute “cheater” baked beans recipe using canned beans and pantry staples — perfect for a fast meal.
Do you want me to do that?
