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Baked Beans

Baked Beans: A Classic Comfort Food

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These classic baked beans are a hearty comfort food staple, perfectly balancing the natural creaminess of navy beans with a rich, sweet-savory glaze. With aromatics like onion, bell pepper, and garlic, combined with the deep flavors of molasses and smoked paprika, this plant-based dish is an ideal side for barbecues or a standalone meal. Follow this guide for tender, flavorful beans that capture that nostalgic, slow-cooked taste.

  • Total Time: 105
  • Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

1 lb (450g) Dry navy beans, soaked overnight

2 tbsp Olive oil

1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped

3 cloves Garlic, minced

½ cup Green bell pepper, diced

2 tbsp Tomato paste

2 tbsp Molasses

2 tbsp Brown sugar

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1 tsp Apple cider vinegar

½ tsp Smoked paprika

¼ tsp Liquid smoke (optional)

1 Bay leaf

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook Beans: After soaking, drain and rinse beans. Cover with fresh water in a pot, simmer for 45 minutes until tender. Drain.

2. Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven. Sauté onion, garlic, and bell pepper until soft (about 5-7 mins).

3. Build Sauce: Stir in tomato paste, molasses, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, paprika, and liquid smoke. Cook for 1 minute.

4. Simmer: Add the cooked beans, bay leaf, and about 1 cup of water or broth to just cover the beans. Simmer partially covered for 30-40 minutes until the sauce is thick and glossy.

5. Finish: Remove bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pro-Tips:

• Soak dried beans overnight to ensure they cook evenly and become perfectly creamy.

• Sauté the tomato paste briefly with the aromatics to deepen its flavor before adding the remaining sauce ingredients.

• Taste and adjust with extra vinegar if the beans feel too sweet, or more sugar if they need balance.

Variations:

• Maple-Smoky: Swap brown sugar for pure maple syrup for a rich, complex sweetness.

• Spicy: Add a finely chopped jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper during the sauté stage.

• Hearty: Stir in diced carrots or celery with the onions for extra vegetable goodness.

  • Author: Anna Lovae
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 90
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Simmer
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://www.maprecipes.com/baked-beans-recipe/