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BBQ Baked Beans from Scratch

BBQ Baked Beans from Scratch

A comforting and flavorful dish made from scratch using dried beans, smoked bacon, and a blend of savory and sweet ingredients, perfect for gatherings and BBQs.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound Dried Navy or Great Northern Beans
  • 6-8 slices Smoked Bacon, diced
  • 1 large Yellow Onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
  • 1 cup Ketchup
  • 1/2 cup Brown Sugar (packed)
  • 1/4 cup Maple Syrup or Molasses
  • 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon Chili Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper, freshly ground
  • Salt to taste (start with 1/2 tsp)
  • 4-6 cups Water or Vegetable Broth (for cooking beans)

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Beans: Pick through dried beans, rinse, and soak overnight or use a quick soak method.
  2. Cook the Beans: Boil soaked beans in fresh water or broth until tender, then drain.
  3. Render the Bacon: Cook diced bacon in a pot until crispy, then remove and leave fat in the pot.
  4. Sauté Aromatics: Sauté onion in bacon fat until translucent, then add garlic and tomato paste.
  5. Build the Sauce: Stir in ketchup, brown sugar, maple syrup, vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, chili powder, and black pepper.
  6. Combine and Simmer: Add cooked beans and some reserved cooking liquid, adjust salt, and mix well.
  7. Bake the Beans: Cover and bake in a preheated oven at 300°F for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  8. Finish and Serve: Stir in crispy bacon, let rest, and serve.

Notes

Allow beans to cool before storing. They can be refrigerated for up to 5-7 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat gently.