The Best Baked Beans Flavorful and Easy Recipe Guide

Ingredients

• 2 cups dried navy beans
• 3 cans navy beans, drained and rinsed
• 4 cups water
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 0.5 cup ketchup
• 0.25 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 0.25 cup diced bell pepper
• 0.25 cup crispy cooked bacon or crispy vegan bacon bits

Instructions

1. If using dried beans, rinse them and empty into a large pot. Add water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about an hour, or until tender. Drain and set aside.
2. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked navy beans with chopped onion, minced garlic, ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, mustard powder, black pepper, sea salt, cayenne pepper (if using), and diced bell pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
4. If you're using bacon or vegan bacon bits, fold them into the mixture for added richness.
5. Transfer the bean mixture into a 3-quart baking dish and spread it out evenly.
6. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 30 minutes, allowing the top to become caramelized and slightly smoky.
7. After baking, let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.