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Comforting Southern-Style Baked Beans Recipe with Brown Sugar and Bacon

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A cozy southern-style baked beans recipe made from scratch with navy beans, smoky bacon, and brown sugar, slow-baked to create a thick, rich, and flavorful dish perfect for family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1½ cups (about 300g) dry navy beans, soaked overnight
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 cups (960ml) water or low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Place 1½ cups dried navy beans in a large bowl and cover with cold water by at least 2 inches. Soak overnight or for at least 8 hours.
  2. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
  3. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook 6 thick-cut bacon slices until crispy, about 8 minutes. Remove bacon, leaving rendered fat in the pot. Chop bacon into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
  4. Add finely chopped onion to the bacon fat and cook until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
  5. Drain and rinse soaked beans under cold water. Add beans to the pot with onions and garlic.
  6. Pour in 4 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth. Stir in ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
  7. Stir in chopped bacon pieces. Cover the Dutch oven with its lid and transfer to the preheated oven.
  8. Bake for about 2 to 2½ hours, stirring every 30 minutes after the first hour. Beans should be tender and sauce thickened but not dry. Add water or broth if too thick.
  9. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Add more brown sugar for sweetness or more vinegar for tang if desired.
  10. Let beans sit for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and thicken.

Notes

For extra caramelized top, remove lid during last 15 minutes of baking. Add water or broth if sauce thickens too much. Use thick-cut bacon for best texture. Soaking beans overnight is essential for tender but intact beans. Vegetarian option: omit bacon and use smoked paprika and vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, southern recipe, brown sugar, bacon, navy beans, comfort food, slow baked, family meals

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/comforting-southern-style-baked-beans-recipe-with-brown-sugar-and-bacon-perfect-for-family-meals/