Baked beans are a classic American dish that are often served as a side dish at barbecues and cookouts. They are made with navy beans, which are slow-cooked with a variety of ingredients to create a rich and flavorful dish. While canned baked beans are easily available, making them from scratch allows you to customize the flavors and control the ingredients. This recipe for Better Baked Beans takes the traditional dish to a new level, with the addition of bacon, onions, and a homemade sauce.
Ingredients
The Better Baked Beans recipe requires the following ingredients:
- 2 cans of baked beans (16 ounces each): These are the base for the dish and provide a rich and smoky flavor.
- 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce: This adds a tangy and sweet taste to the baked beans.
- 1/4 cup of brown sugar: The brown sugar enhances the sweetness of the dish and balances the flavors.
- 1/4 cup of ketchup: The ketchup adds a slight acidity to the dish and helps to thicken the sauce.
- 1 tablespoon of mustard: The mustard adds a hint of spiciness and tanginess to the baked beans.
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped: The onion adds a savory and aromatic flavor to the dish.
- 4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled: The bacon adds a smoky and meaty flavor to the baked beans.
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced: The garlic enhances the overall savory taste of the dish.
- Salt and pepper to taste: These seasoning are added to enhance the overall flavor of the baked beans.
These ingredients come together to create a delicious and flavorful dish of Better Baked Beans. The combination of baked beans, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, and mustard provides a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. The addition of chopped onion, cooked bacon, and minced garlic adds depth and complexity to the dish. Finally, salt and pepper are added to enhance and balance the flavors of all the ingredients. Together, these ingredients create a tasty and satisfying side dish that is perfect for any barbecue or cookout.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Better Baked Beans
To make “Better Baked Beans” recipe, follow these simple steps:
- Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Drain and rinse the canned beans under cold water.
- Chop the bacon into small pieces and mince the onion.
- Prepare a baking dish by greasing it with butter or cooking spray.
- Cook the Bacon and Onion:
- In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy.
- Remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside on a paper towel to drain excess grease.
- In the same skillet, sauté the minced onion until it becomes translucent.
- Remove the skillet from heat and set aside.
- Mix the Ingredients and Bake:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained beans, cooked bacon, sautéed onion, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, molasses, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Stir everything together until well mixed.
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
- After 45 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 minutes or until the beans are bubbling and the top is golden brown.
Once baked, the “Better Baked Beans” are ready to be served as a delicious side dish to accompany your favorite main course. Enjoy!
Tips from Professional Chefs on Making Better Baked Beans
When it comes to making delicious baked beans, professional chefs have several tips to ensure that your dish turns out perfectly. First and foremost, the key to great baked beans lies in the quality of the beans themselves. Using high-quality dried beans, such as navy beans or cannellini beans, will result in a better texture and flavor. Soaking the beans overnight before cooking them is also crucial for achieving a tender and evenly cooked bean. By soaking the beans, you are not only softening them but also reducing the cooking time.
Another important tip from professional chefs is to source flavorful and high-quality ingredients to enhance the taste of your baked beans. Opt for organic and locally sourced vegetables, such as onions and garlic, to give your dish a fresh and vibrant flavor. Additionally, using real bacon instead of bacon bits or artificial flavorings will add a rich smokiness to the beans.
Lastly, professional chefs emphasize the importance of slow and low cooking when making baked beans. This allows the flavors to meld together and for the beans to become tender without becoming mushy. To achieve this, preheat your oven to a low temperature (around 300°F/150°C) and bake the beans for a longer period of time, typically 2-3 hours. This slow cooking process will result in a deep, complex flavor that is worth the wait.
Reviews
I recently tried the “Better Baked Beans” recipe, and I must say it exceeded my expectations. As someone who loves a good plate of baked beans, this recipe definitely delivered. The combination of flavors was spot on and gave the beans a deliciously rich and savory taste.
What I really loved about this recipe was how easy it was to make. The ingredients were simple and readily available, and the cooking process was straightforward. It didn’t require any fancy techniques or complicated steps. I simply followed the instructions and ended up with a flavorful dish that I couldn’t get enough of.
The texture of the beans was perfect as well. They were tender and not too soft, which is exactly how I like my baked beans. The sauce had just the right amount of thickness, clinging to the beans without being too heavy. It had a nice balance of sweet and tangy flavors, and the addition of smoky bacon added an extra layer of depth.
All in all, I would highly recommend the “Better Baked Beans” recipe to anyone who enjoys a hearty and flavorful side dish. Whether you’re serving it at a barbecue, potluck, or simply as a comforting meal at home, these baked beans are sure to impress. I will definitely be making this recipe again in the future.
As a food enthusiast and someone who loves to experiment with recipes, I recently tried the “Better Baked Beans” recipe, and it exceeded my expectations. The combination of flavors and the overall taste of the dish left me wanting more. From the moment I started cooking, the aroma filled my kitchen, creating an irresistible anticipation for the final product.
The recipe provided clear instructions, making it easy to follow along. The mixture of ingredients, including the combination of various beans and spices, created a harmonious blend that truly enhanced the overall flavor profile. The beans were perfectly cooked, maintaining their firmness while still being tender and juicy. It was a delightful experience to bite into each bean and savor the rich flavors that had developed during the cooking process.
One aspect that stood out to me was the use of maple syrup in the recipe. It added a subtle sweetness that balanced out the tanginess from the tomatoes and the smokiness of the bacon. The maple syrup gave the dish a unique twist that elevated it from a regular baked beans recipe. It was a perfect complement to the other ingredients and brought out the natural sweetness of the beans.
Overall, the “Better Baked Beans” recipe is a must-try for anyone looking to enjoy a classic dish with a flavorful twist. The combination of ingredients, the clear instructions, and the overall taste make this recipe a winner in my book. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or simply want to elevate your weeknight dinner, these baked beans are sure to impress.
I recently had the pleasure of trying out the “Better Baked Beans” recipe, and I must say, it exceeded all my expectations. Being a fan of baked beans, I was intrigued by the promise of a “better” version, and let me tell you, it delivered.
The first thing that struck me about these baked beans was the rich and complex flavor. The combination of smoky bacon, tangy mustard, and sweet molasses created a mouthwatering taste that was both savory and satisfying. The beans themselves were perfectly cooked, tender but not mushy, and they soaked up all the delicious flavors from the sauce.
Another thing I appreciated about this recipe was how easy it was to make. The ingredients were simple and readily available, and the instructions were clear and easy to follow. I was able to whip up a batch of these beans in no time, and they made the perfect side dish for a barbecue or a hearty dinner.
All in all, I highly recommend trying out the “Better Baked Beans” recipe. Whether you’re a fan of traditional baked beans or just looking to elevate your side dish game, these beans will not disappoint. Trust me, once you’ve tasted these “better” baked beans, you’ll never go back to the store-bought canned version again.
As a big fan of baked beans, I recently decided to try out the “Better Baked Beans” recipe, and boy was I impressed! The recipe called for a combination of navy beans, molasses, brown sugar, mustard, and bacon, creating a flavor profile that was both sweet and savory. The beans were cooked to perfection, with a soft texture but still holding their shape. The sauce had a wonderful balance of sweetness from the molasses and brown sugar, along with a tangy kick from the mustard. The addition of bacon added a rich smokiness that took the dish to a whole new level.
What I loved most about the “Better Baked Beans” recipe was the depth of flavors it offered. The combination of ingredients gave the beans a complex taste that was far superior to any store-bought variety. I appreciated the fact that the recipe allowed for some customization based on personal preference. For example, I added a bit of crushed red pepper flakes to give the beans a touch of spiciness, which worked wonderfully with the sweetness of the sauce.
The “Better Baked Beans” were a hit with my friends and family when I served them as a side dish at a barbecue. They couldn’t believe that I had made them from scratch, as they tasted like they came straight from a gourmet restaurant. I highly recommend trying out this recipe if you’re a fan of baked beans, as it will elevate your taste buds to a whole new level. Trust me, once you try these “Better Baked Beans”, you’ll never want to go back to the canned stuff again!
Being a big fan of baked beans, I was excited to try the “Better Baked Beans” recipe. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! The flavors in this dish are absolutely incredible. The combination of sweet and smoky is just perfect.
The recipe calls for a variety of ingredients, including bacon, onions, and molasses. The bacon adds a delicious savory element, while the onions provide a nice depth of flavor. The molasses, on the other hand, adds a touch of sweetness that balances out the other flavors.
One thing that really sets this recipe apart is the cooking method. Instead of just putting everything in a pot and simmering it on the stove, these beans are baked in the oven. This allows all the flavors to meld together and creates a rich, hearty dish that is absolutely delicious.
I also love that this recipe can be easily customized to fit your taste preferences. You can add more or less bacon depending on how smoky you like your beans, and you can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less molasses.
Overall, I highly recommend trying the “Better Baked Beans” recipe. Whether you’re a baked beans aficionado or just looking for a delicious and satisfying side dish, this recipe is a winner.
