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Savory Baked Beans with Bacon and Molasses

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A hearty and flavorful baked beans recipe featuring smoky bacon and rich molasses, perfect for gatherings or cozy weeknight dinners. This easy homemade dish balances sweet, smoky, and savory flavors with simple pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups dry navy beans (or 3 ½ cups canned navy beans, drained and rinsed)
  • 6–8 slices thick-cut bacon
  • ½ cup ketchup (120 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons molasses (40 g), unsulphured blackstrap
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (15 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (5 g)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (12 g), optional
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (5 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (2 g)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Water or low-sodium chicken broth, as needed

Instructions

  1. If using dry navy beans, rinse thoroughly and soak overnight in cold water. Drain and rinse again before cooking. If using canned beans, drain and rinse to remove excess sodium.
  2. Cook the soaked beans in a large pot covered with fresh water (about 3 inches above beans). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 60-75 minutes until tender but not mushy. Drain and set aside. Skip this step if using canned beans.
  3. Cook bacon in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Leave bacon fat in the pan.
  4. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the bacon fat. Cook over medium heat until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together ketchup, molasses, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika.
  6. Add cooked or canned beans back to the skillet with onions. Pour the sauce over and stir gently to coat all beans. Crumble half the bacon into the mixture, reserving the rest for garnish.
  7. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Transfer mixture to a greased 8×8 inch baking dish if not using an oven-safe skillet. Bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 45-50 minutes, stirring halfway through. The sauce should thicken and edges may caramelize slightly.
  8. Sprinkle remaining bacon on top before serving.

Notes

If the sauce becomes too thick during baking, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it. Stir halfway through baking to prevent burning and distribute sauce evenly. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and use olive oil or smoked paprika oil with liquid smoke for smoky flavor. Dry beans yield creamier texture but require soaking and longer cooking; canned beans are convenient and still delicious.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, bacon, molasses, savory beans, comfort food, easy side dish, potluck recipe, smoky beans

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/savory-baked-beans-with-bacon-and-molasses-easy-homemade-recipe-to-impress/