Description
This homemade version of Bush’s Baked Beans brings that sweet, smoky, and savory flavor you know and love. Perfect for BBQs, potlucks, or cozy dinners, this dish features tender navy beans simmered in a rich sauce with bacon, brown sugar, and a hint of mustard for a truly comforting side.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups cooked navy beans (or 2 cans, drained and rinsed)
- 6 slices of bacon, chopped
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cook the Bacon
- In a skillet, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside, reserving about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease.
Sauté the Onions
- In the reserved bacon grease, sauté diced onions over medium heat until soft and translucent.
Mix the Sauce
- In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, ketchup, molasses, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
Combine Everything
- In a baking dish, mix the cooked navy beans, sautéed onions, crispy bacon, and prepared sauce until fully coated.
Bake the Beans
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 1 hour. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes for a thicker sauce.
Serve and Enjoy!
- Let the beans cool slightly before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and use olive oil for sautéing.
- Add a dash of hot sauce if you prefer a spicier kick.
- Can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Bush's baked beans, homemade baked beans, BBQ side dish, smoky beans recipe, sweet baked beans