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Classic Backyard Baked Beans Recipe Easy Homemade Grandpa’s Summer Cookout Favorite

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A nostalgic and easy-to-make baked beans recipe featuring smoky bacon, tangy mustard, and a touch of maple syrup, perfect for summer cookouts and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups dried navy beans or 3 cans navy beans, drained and rinsed
  • 6 ounces bacon, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar (dark brown sugar preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons molasses (or maple syrup as a substitute)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • About 2 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  1. If using dried navy beans, soak 1 1/2 cups overnight in cold water. Drain and rinse before cooking. If using canned, drain and rinse well to remove excess salt.
  2. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy, about 8 minutes. Remove bacon bits with a slotted spoon, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the bacon fat and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook another minute until fragrant.
  4. Return bacon bits to the pot. Add navy beans, 2 cups water or chicken broth, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
  5. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover partially and cook gently for 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. Add a little water if it gets too dry. Beans should be tender and sauce thickened.
  6. About 10 minutes before serving, taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or a splash of vinegar if desired.
  7. Optional: For a smoky crust, transfer beans to a casserole dish and bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes.

Notes

Use maple syrup instead of molasses for a lighter sweetness. For vegetarian version, replace bacon with smoked tempeh or liquid smoke and use vegetable broth. Stir gently to avoid breaking beans. Keep heat low to prevent burning. Flavors deepen after resting overnight.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, backyard recipe, summer cookout, smoky beans, easy side dish, navy beans, homemade baked beans

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