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Flavor-Packed Budget Baked Beans Recipe Easy Hearty Crowd Pleaser

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A simple, hearty baked beans recipe perfect for feeding a crowd with pantry staples. It features a balance of smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors with a slow-baked texture that’s comforting and satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups dry navy beans (or Great Northern beans), soaked overnight (or 4 cups canned beans, drained)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon molasses (optional, can substitute with maple syrup)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 cups vegetable broth or water
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped and crisped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Soak the beans: Rinse 2 cups (400g) dry navy beans and soak overnight in plenty of cold water. For quick soak, boil beans for 5 minutes then let rest for 1 hour.
  2. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
  3. Cook the beans: Drain soaked beans and transfer to a large pot or Dutch oven. Cover with about 6 cups (1.4 liters) fresh water or vegetable broth. Simmer gently for 45-60 minutes until tender but not mushy. Drain and reserve 2 cups (480ml) cooking liquid.
  4. Sauté aromatics: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté 5 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook 1 more minute until fragrant.
  5. Build the sauce: Stir in tomato paste, brown sugar, molasses, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, chili powder, and Dijon mustard. Cook 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until sauce thickens and smells rich.
  6. Combine and season: Add cooked beans and reserved cooking liquid to the sauce. Stir gently to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Fold in crisped bacon if using.
  7. Bake low and slow: Transfer mixture to Dutch oven or oven-safe baking dish. Cover with lid or foil and bake at 325°F (160°C) for 1 to 1.5 hours. Stir gently halfway through and add water if sauce looks dry.
  8. Final touches: Remove from oven and let rest 10 minutes before serving to thicken sauce and develop caramelized edges.

Notes

Use dry beans soaked overnight for best texture; canned beans reduce baking time to 30-40 minutes. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and increase smoked paprika or add liquid smoke. Stir gently during baking to avoid breaking beans. Beans taste better the next day. Add water if sauce dries during baking or reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, budget recipe, easy baked beans, crowd pleaser, smoky baked beans, potluck recipe, vegetarian option, slow baked beans

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/flavor-packed-budget-baked-beans-recipe-easy-hearty-crowd-pleaser/