My Mom’s Baked Beans
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Recipe Category: Beans
Keywords: Southwestern U.S., Potluck, Weeknight, Less than 4 Hours
Description:
This cherished recipe is a nostalgic throwback to the potluck gatherings my family attended, particularly those at our church. While many would bring the expected dishes like jello salad or potato salad, my mom’s baked beans always stood out as a delightful change of pace. Bursting with flavor and warmth, this dish embodies the essence of comfort food, perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a casual weeknight meal or a communal potluck celebration.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound bacon
- 1/2 large onion, chopped
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup dark molasses
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cans (15 ounces each) baked beans
Instructions:
- Begin by preheating your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Drain the liquid from the canned baked beans and set them aside.
- In a large Dutch oven or baking dish, combine the drained baked beans with chopped onion, brown sugar, ketchup, barbecue sauce, dry mustard, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic. Mix until well combined.
- Next, fry the bacon in a skillet until crispy. Once cooked, remove the bacon from the skillet, drain on paper towels, and allow it to cool slightly.
- Once cooled, cut the bacon into bite-sized pieces and add them to the bean mixture, stirring gently to incorporate.
- Cover the Dutch oven or baking dish with a lid or aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
- After 1 hour, uncover the dish and continue baking for an additional 1 1/2 hours, or until the beans are bubbling and the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Remove from the oven and let the baked beans cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Enjoy these savory and sweet baked beans as a hearty side dish alongside your favorite main courses, or as a standalone meal that’s sure to satisfy.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 292.4
- Fat Content: 10.6g
- Saturated Fat Content: 3.6g
- Cholesterol Content: 21.6mg
- Sodium Content: 1041.6mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 43.5g
- Fiber Content: 7.2g
- Sugar Content: 16.6g
- Protein Content: 9.1g
Recipe Notes:
- This recipe yields approximately 8 servings.
- For a vegetarian option, you can omit the bacon or substitute it with vegetarian bacon or smoked tofu for a similar flavor profile.
- Feel free to adjust the sweetness or spiciness of the baked beans by tweaking the amounts of brown sugar, molasses, or barbecue sauce according to your personal preference.
- Leftover baked beans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Simply reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop before serving.
