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Homemade Baked Beans from Scratch Recipe

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4.1 from 90 reviews

  • Author: Ezabella
  • Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings

Description

This classic recipe for Homemade Baked Beans from Scratch delivers a rich, flavorful dish perfect for hearty family meals or gatherings. Slow-cooked navy beans soak up a tangy, sweet, and smoky sauce made with bacon, tomatoes, molasses, and brown sugar, creating a comforting side that pairs well with barbecues and picnics.

Ingredients

Beans and Vegetables

  • 3 cups white pea beans (navy beans)
  • 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups chopped onions

Meat

  • 6 strips bacon

Sauces & Sweeteners

  • 3/4 cup ketchup
  • 3/4 cup fancy molasses
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar

Seasonings

  • 1 tbsp. dry mustard
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper

Instructions

  1. Rinse the Beans: Using a colander or sieve, thoroughly rinse the white pea beans, discarding any that are discolored.
  2. Initial Soak: Place the rinsed beans in a large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or pot and cover with 9 cups of water.
  3. Parboil: Bring the beans to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and boil gently for 3 minutes.
  4. Resting Period: Remove the pot from heat, cover it, and let the beans stand for 1 hour to soak.
  5. Drain and Boil Again: Drain the soaked beans and return them to the pot with 12 cups of fresh water.
  6. Simmer Beans: Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium and simmer the beans covered for 45 minutes or until tender.
  7. Reserve Cooking Liquid: Remove 2 cups of the bean cooking liquid and set aside for later use.
  8. Drain Beans: Drain the remaining cooking liquid from the beans.
  9. Render Bacon Fat: Slice the bacon into six pieces and cook over medium-high heat in a frying pan until the fat is rendered but bacon is not crispy.
  10. Combine Ingredients: In a Dutch oven or 16-cup casserole dish, mix together the beans, reserved 2 cups of cooking liquid, diced tomatoes, bacon pieces, chopped onions, ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, dry mustard, salt, and pepper.
  11. Bake Covered: Bake the mixture covered in a 300°F oven for 2 and a half hours to meld flavors and cook thoroughly.
  12. Uncover and Finish Baking: Remove the cover and bake for another 1 and a half hours, or until the sauce reaches the desired thickness and richness.

Notes

  • Make sure not to overcook the bacon during rendering, as it is meant to add fat without becoming crispy.
  • Soaking and parboiling the beans helps reduce overall cooking time and improve texture.
  • Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of molasses or brown sugar according to taste preferences.
  • This dish can be prepared ahead and reheated; flavors often improve after resting.
  • Use a heavy Dutch oven for even heat distribution during cooking.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://kitchenloving.com/homemade-baked-beans-from-scratch-recipe/