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Savory Classic BBQ Baked Beans with Bacon and Molasses

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A comforting and flavorful baked beans recipe featuring smoky bacon and rich molasses, perfect for cookouts or cozy dinners. This easy-to-make dish balances sweet and smoky flavors with a thick, luscious texture.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups cooked Great Northern beans or 2 cans (15 oz each), drained and rinsed
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup unsulphured molasses
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 cup water or broth

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
  2. In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook diced bacon until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon pieces onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Leave the rendered fat in the pan.
  3. Add chopped onions to the bacon fat, stirring occasionally until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Do not let it burn.
  4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together molasses, ketchup, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and water or broth until smooth.
  5. Add the cooked beans, bacon, and sautéed onion-garlic mixture into a large oven-safe baking dish or Dutch oven. Pour the sauce over everything and stir gently to coat all the beans evenly.
  6. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. Stir every 20 minutes to prevent sticking and help the sauce thicken. The beans should be tender and the sauce syrupy by the end.
  7. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and the sauce to set.

Notes

Render bacon fat slowly for best smoky flavor. Stir beans every 20 minutes during baking to prevent sticking and encourage even cooking. Use fresh smoked paprika for best flavor. Vinegar balances sweetness and enhances depth. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and add 1 teaspoon liquid smoke plus extra smoked paprika. Leftovers keep up to 4 days refrigerated or 3 months frozen.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ baked beans, bacon baked beans, molasses baked beans, classic BBQ side, easy baked beans, smoky baked beans, cookout side dish

Find it online: https://tinastirs.com/savory-classic-bbq-baked-beans-with-bacon-and-molasses-recipe-easy-steps/