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Flavorful Jalapeño Cheddar Baked Beans Recipe Easy Homemade from Scratch

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A bold and comforting baked beans recipe featuring fresh jalapeños and sharp cheddar cheese for a smoky, spicy, and creamy side dish perfect for BBQs and family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) dry navy beans, soaked overnight
  • 4 slices bacon (or smoked turkey bacon for lighter version)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 fresh jalapeños, finely diced (seeds in for more heat, seeds out for mild kick)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup (100g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 cups (480ml) chicken or vegetable broth

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 ½ cups (300g) of dry navy beans and soak them in cold water overnight (8-12 hours).
  2. Drain and rinse soaked beans. Place in a large pot with 2 cups (480ml) chicken or vegetable broth and enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 1 to 1 ½ hours until beans are tender but not mushy. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a skillet over medium heat, cook 4 slices of bacon until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet.
  4. Add 1 finely chopped medium yellow onion and 2 diced jalapeños to the bacon fat. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
  5. In the baking dish or Dutch oven, combine the cooked beans, sautéed aromatics, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Crumble the bacon into the mix and stir well.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle 1 cup (100g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the bean mixture. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  7. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden on top.
  8. Let the beans cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

If beans seem too thick before baking, add a splash of broth to loosen. Watch cheese near the end to avoid burning. Wearing gloves when handling jalapeños is recommended if sensitive to heat. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and increase smoked paprika or add liquid smoke. For vegan, swap cheddar with plant-based cheese and check Worcestershire sauce ingredients.

Nutrition

Keywords: jalapeño baked beans, cheddar baked beans, homemade baked beans, spicy baked beans, BBQ side dish, easy baked beans recipe

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/flavorful-jalape-n-o-cheddar-baked-beans-recipe-easy-homemade-from-scratch/