Basic Baked Beans
Savory baked beans with a rich tomato, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce flavor, perfect for family gatherings, barbecues, or cozy weeknight dinners with a hearty, comforting taste.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Soak the navy beans in cold water, covered, overnight until water covers beans completely.
- Drain beans in a colander and rinse under cold water.
- Transfer beans to a 6-quart kettle.
- Add 5 cups of water, onions, bay leaves, lite salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour or until beans are tender, adding more water if needed.
- Remove bay leaves from the bean mixture.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Drain the bean mixture, reserving the liquid.
- Transfer beans to a 4-quart baking dish sprayed with nonfat cooking spray.
- Combine ketchup, light brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and dry mustard; mix well.
- Pour the sauce over the beans and stir to combine.
- Add enough of the reserved liquid to cover the beans.
- Bake uncovered for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours, until heated through and bubbly.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding diced bacon or smoked sausage to the beans while cooking. If you prefer a slightly sweeter profile, increase the light brown sugar or use maple syrup as a substitute. Ensure the beans are fully cooked before transferring them to the oven, as this will help achieve a tender texture throughout the dish.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these baked beans as a hearty side dish at your next barbecue or potluck. They pair beautifully with grilled meats, especially burgers or barbecue chicken. For a complete meal, consider serving alongside cornbread or coleslaw. They also make a satisfying topping for baked potatoes.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, place the beans in a saucepan over medium heat, adding a splash of water to prevent drying out. Stir occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat in a microwave-safe dish, covering it to retain moisture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Basic Baked Beans contains roughly 190 calories, with 3g protein, 28g carbohydrates, and 7g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (23% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned beans instead of dried?
Yes, you can use canned navy beans to save time. Rinse and drain them, then skip the soaking and initial cooking steps. Simply combine them with the sauce ingredients and bake until heated through, which should take about 30-45 minutes.
How can I make this recipe vegetarian?
This recipe is naturally vegetarian, but to enhance the flavor, consider adding smoked paprika or liquid smoke for a smoky taste. You can also use vegetable broth instead of water for cooking the beans to add depth to the flavor.
What can I do if the beans are still hard after baking?
If the beans are hard after baking, it's likely they were undercooked initially. You can add a bit more liquid and continue baking them, covered, until they soften. Alternatively, transfer them back to the stovetop and simmer on low heat with added water until tender.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).