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Golden, homemade baked beans in a round cast-iron Dutch oven, topped with crispy bacon and garnished with fresh thyme, showing a caramelized surface from slow oven baking.

Baked Beans

5 from 1 vote
These homemade baked beans are sweet, smoky, and deeply flavorful thanks to molasses, bacon, and a long, slow bake. Inspired by a beloved family recipe, they’re perfect for barbecues, potlucks, or cozy dinners at home.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb Dried navy beans - Or 3 cans, drained and rinsed
  • 6 oz Thick-cut bacon - Cut into pieces
  • 1 large Yellow onion - Diced
  • 3 Garlic cloves - Minced
  • 2 tablespoon Tomato paste
  • ⅓ cup Molasses - Unsulphured
  • ¼ cup Brown sugar - Light or dark
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
  • 2 Bay leaves - Whole
  • Salt and pepper - To taste
  • Reserved bacon water - Optional, for added smoky flavor

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch Oven (Or any oven-safe heavy pot)
  • 1 Wooden spoon (For stirring)
  • 1 Sharp knife (For chopping onion and garlic)
  • 1 Measuring cups/spoons (For accuracy)
  • 1 Large bowl (For soaking beans)

Method
 

  1. Soak dried navy beans overnight, then drain and simmer until tender.
  2. Cook bacon until crisp, then sauté onions and garlic in the bacon fat.
  3. Stir in tomato paste, molasses, sugar, mustard, vinegar, and spices.
  4. Combine beans, sauce, and bacon. Add liquid and bake slowly.
  5. Uncover for caramelization, then cool and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 250gCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 12gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 520mgPotassium: 680mgFiber: 8gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 160IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 3.2mg

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients used and portion sizes.Feel free to add more of your favorite toppings.

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