Best 3 Dons Favorite Baked Beans Recipes

**Savory Baked Beans: A Classic Dish with Endless Variations**

Baked beans, a culinary delight enjoyed worldwide, have a rich history and countless variations. This versatile dish, often associated with hearty comfort food, can be traced back to Native American cooking techniques. Over time, it evolved into a staple dish in New England, particularly in Boston, where it gained immense popularity. Today, baked beans continue to be a beloved dish, cherished for its smoky, sweet, and savory flavors, and its ability to complement various main courses.

This article presents a collection of baked bean recipes, each with its unique twist, offering a range of options for every taste preference. From the classic Don's Favorite Baked Beans, featuring bacon, molasses, and brown sugar, to the vegetarian-friendly Vegan Baked Beans, bursting with the flavors of maple syrup and liquid smoke, these recipes cater to diverse dietary needs and preferences.

For those seeking a spicy kick, the Spicy Baked Beans, infused with chipotle peppers and chili powder, deliver a delightful heat. Alternatively, the Sweet and Sour Baked Beans, with their blend of brown sugar, vinegar, and ketchup, offer a tangy and sweet flavor profile. And for a taste of the Southwest, the Mexican Baked Beans, seasoned with cumin, chili powder, and green chiles, provide a vibrant and flavorful option.

Whether you prefer a traditional or a more adventurous baked bean experience, this article has a recipe to satisfy your cravings. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey that celebrates the versatility and deliciousness of this classic dish.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

THE BEST SAUCY BAKED BEANS

The Best Saucy Baked Beans image

Provided by Mel

Time 1h50m

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

6 slices bacon (regular or thick cut), diced
1 cup small diced onion
2 cans (15-ounces each) pinto beans
2 cans (15-ounces each) navy beans
3/4 cup ketchup
1/3 cup brown sugar (see note)
1/4 cup molasses
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon dijon or yellow mustard
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

Steps:

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon and onion until the bacon is cooked through and starting to crisp and the onions are translucent, 5-7 minutes. Drain excess grease.
Rinse and drain only two cans of the beans. Add the rinsed and drained beans to the skillet along with the two cans of undrained beans.
Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika.
Oven Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Transfer the baked beans to an oven-safe 9X13-inch dish and cover with foil. Bake for 1 hour. Uncover and bake for 15-20 more minutes until bubbling. Remove from the oven and let sit for 15 minutes. They'll thicken up more as they cool slightly. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
Slow Cooker Directions: Tansfer the beans to the insert of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until bubbling and slightly thickened. They'll thicken up more as they cool slightly. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 serving, Calories 138 kcal, Carbohydrate 21 g, Protein 2 g, Fat 5 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Cholesterol 9 mg, Sodium 408 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 18 g

OLD FASHIONED BAKED BEANS

Old Fashioned Baked Beans image

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

Ingredients

1 pound dried navy beans
8 ounces thick cut bacon (, diced)
1 medium yellow onion (, finely chopped)
2 cloves garlic (, minced)
1/2 cup plain tomato sauce or ketchup
1/4 cup molasses
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 bay leaf

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 BARBECUE BAKED BEANS

The Best Barbecue Baked Beans image

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

Ingredients

1 pound dried red beans
3 quarts water
1 bay leaf
1 ½ pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch cubes
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 cup barbecue sauce
½ cup ketchup
⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
¼ cup packed light brown sugar
3 tablespoons molasses
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 ½ cups reserved bean cooking liquid
6 slices thick-cut bacon

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:

Use dried beans: Dried beans are more flavorful and economical than canned beans. Be sure to soak them overnight before cooking.
Use a variety of beans: Don't be afraid to mix and match different types of beans, such as navy beans, pinto beans, and black beans.
Add aromatics: Aromatics, such as onions, garlic, celery, and carrots, add flavor to the beans.
Use good-quality bacon: The quality of the bacon you use will make a big difference in the flavor of the beans. Look for thick-cut, smoked bacon.
Don't overcook the beans: Overcooked beans are mushy and bland. Cook them just until they are tender.
Let the beans rest: After cooking, let the beans rest for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld.
Serve with your favorite toppings: Baked beans are delicious served with a variety of toppings, such as brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, and chopped onions.

Conclusion:

Don's Favorite Baked Beans are a classic comfort food that is easy to make and perfect for any occasion. With a few simple ingredients and a little time, you can create a delicious dish that your family and friends will love. So next time you're looking for a hearty and satisfying meal, give Don's Favorite Baked Beans a try!