**Baked Beans: A Savory and Versatile Dish with a Rich History**
Baked beans, a delectable dish enjoyed worldwide, have a rich and flavorful history. Originating in Native American communities, this dish was initially prepared using beans, maple syrup, and bear fat. Over time, as European settlers arrived in North America, they adopted and adapted the recipe, incorporating their own ingredients and cooking techniques. Today, baked beans are a cherished dish served at gatherings, picnics, and backyard barbecues. This article presents a collection of delectable baked beans recipes, each offering a unique twist on this classic dish. From traditional New England-style baked beans simmered in a sweet and tangy sauce to a hearty and smoky version featuring bacon and brown sugar, these recipes cater to diverse preferences and dietary needs. Vegetarian and vegan options are also included for those seeking plant-based alternatives. Whether you prefer a classic recipe passed down through generations or a modern take on this beloved dish, this article has something for every baked beans enthusiast.
OLD FASHIONED BAKED BEANS
Deliciously thick, sweet, smoky and savory, these from-scratch Old Fashioned Baked Beans are sure to be a hit at your next BBQ, picnic, potluck or family dinner!
Provided by Kimberly Killebrew
Categories Side Dish
Time 12h15m
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Place the dried beans in a pot of water covered by a few inches of water and let soak overnight. Drain the beans, place them back in the pot with fresh water and bring to a boil. Simmer for one hour, then drain, reserving the liquid. See NOTE.
- In a Dutch oven or other oven-proof pot fry the bacon until crispy then add the onions and cook until soft and translucent, 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.Stir in the tomato sauce, molasses, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, pepper and bay leaf.Add 1 1/2 cups of the reserved bean water and the beans.Bring everything to a simmer for a minute or two to heat it up. In the meantime preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Transfer the Dutch oven with the lid on to the middle rack of the oven. Bake for 2 to 3 hours or until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened, removing the lid during the last 20-30 minutes to help the sauce thicken. NOTE: If at any point during the cooking process too much liquid evaporates and the beans get dry, add a little more of the reserved bean water. The beans themselves can vary from batch to batch and you may end up either needing to add more liquid if the beans are too dry or you may need to bake the beans longer with the lid off if there is too much liquid. Adjust as needed.Add more salt the pepper to taste.Serve immediately or let cool completely and refrigerate until ready to serve. Can be reheated on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- SLOW COOKER METHOD: Follow steps 1 and 2 and then pour everything into the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours or until the beans are tender. Open the lid for the last 30 minutes or longer until the sauce has thickened. If the beans are too thick at any point and too much liquid has evaporated, stir in a little extra water.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 537 kcal, Carbohydrate 78 g, Protein 22 g, Fat 16 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 25 mg, Sodium 1196 mg, Fiber 19 g, Sugar 33 g, ServingSize 1 serving
THE BEST BAKED BEANS
If you think baked beans only come from a can, you're in for a treat. Bacon, molasses and bourbon add depth and flavor to our classic recipe that's perfectly spiced with paprika, mustard and Worcestershire. A bit of brown sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness and to keep things easy, the beans require no soaking! They get tender and delicious right in the oven.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 5h
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Cook the bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until browned and crisp, about 8 minutes. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the paprika and toast, stirring, about 30 seconds. Add the tomato sauce, molasses, bourbon, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook 5 minutes.
- Add the beans and 8 cups water. Bring to a boil, then cover the pot and transfer to the oven. Bake until the beans are tender, about 3 hours. (If the beans are still slightly firm, continue cooking, stirring every 45 minutes and adding more water if necessary to just cover.)
- Once the beans are tender, uncover and increase the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Bake until the beans are thick and browned, about 1 more hour. (Again, if the beans need more time, continue cooking, stirring occasionally and adding more water if necessary.) Remove from the oven and thin with water if necessary.
EASY BAKED BEANS
My family enjoys this easy baked beans recipe with cornbread, but it also rounds out any cookout. Canned pork and beans make meal prep quick. -Phyllis Schmalz, Kansas City, Kansas
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 1h30m
Yield 12 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325°. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours or until bubbly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 293 calories, Fat 5g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 5mg cholesterol, Sodium 793mg sodium, Carbohydrate 59g carbohydrate (42g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 9g protein.
AJ'S BEST BAKED BEANS
started this recipe a year or so ago, and i toyed with it and toyed with it until i perfected it...try it out yourself and see what changes you'd make!!
Provided by ajcoffelt22
Categories Beans
Time 1h
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375.
- Saute the bacon til brown, then drain the bacon, reserving some of the drippings. Add your red onion and green pepper til onion is translucent and both are tender. Drain off drippings. Drain the juices from one can of pork and beans, then empty contents of both cans into baking dish. Mix beans with the fried onion, bacon bits, and green pepper. Add mustard, BBQ sauces, thai chili sauce, brown sugar, and cajun seasoning. Mix well. Bake for 40 minutes.
THE BEST BARBECUE BAKED BEANS
It's not a real barbecue until a dish of baked beans shows up! While there are many different versions and many different techniques, I'm here to tell you that these are the best. These are the tastiest, most satisfying, the easiest, and the meatiest. They not only make a great side dish, but if the budget's a little tight, these will absolutely work as a main course. Sprinkle the top with sliced green onion if you like.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Baked Beans
Time 11h20m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Add dry beans to a bowl, cover with water, and let soak for 8 hours, or overnight.
- Drain beans and transfer to a large pot filled with 3 quarts of cold, fresh water. Add bay leaf, pork shoulder, and onion. Bring to a simmer over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir. Skim off foam if desired. Let simmer until beans are just tender, about 1 hour.
- While beans simmer, combine barbecue sauce, ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, Worcestershire, smoked paprika, cayenne, black pepper, kosher salt, and garlic powder in a bowl with a whisk. Set aside until needed.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Transfer tender bean mixture to a deep, 15x10-inch baking dish using a spider strainer. Pour in barbecue sauce mixture and 2 ½ cups of the bean cooking liquid. Place bacon slices on top.
- Bake uncovered in the center of the preheated oven until the liquids have reduced into a thick sauce, 2 to 3 hours.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 273.2 calories, Carbohydrate 42.9 g, Cholesterol 9.5 mg, Fat 6.9 g, Fiber 10 g, Protein 11.1 g, SaturatedFat 2.2 g, Sodium 995.3 mg
Tips:
- Soak the beans overnight or for at least 4 hours before cooking. This will help them cook more evenly and reduce the cooking time.
- Use a variety of beans. For example, you can use a combination of navy beans, pinto beans, and kidney beans.
- Add aromatics to the beans while they are cooking. This will help to infuse them with flavor. Good options include onion, garlic, celery, and carrot.
- Use a flavorful cooking liquid. You can use water, chicken broth, or vegetable broth. If you are using water, you can add a bay leaf or two to the pot for extra flavor.
- Season the beans to taste. Add salt, pepper, and other spices to your liking. You can also add a bit of brown sugar or molasses for sweetness.
- Cook the beans until they are tender but still hold their shape. This usually takes about 1-2 hours.
- Serve the baked beans hot or cold. They can be eaten on their own, or they can be used as a side dish for grilled or roasted meats.
Conclusion:
Baked beans are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are a good source of protein, fiber, and vitamins. They can also be made ahead of time and reheated, which makes them a convenient option for busy weeknights. With so many different ways to make baked beans, there is sure to be a recipe that everyone will enjoy.
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