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Close-up of tender navy beans in a rich reddish-brown tomato and molasses sauce. (Easy Baked Beans Recipe)

Easy Baked Beans Recipe with Crispy Bacon and Rich Molasses

This Easy Baked Beans Recipe features tender navy beans coated in a thick, shimmering molasses and tomato glaze. Topped with crispy rendered bacon and fresh parsley, it's the perfect sweet and smoky side dish.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 8 cups
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 310
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Recipe Ingredients
  • 3 cans (15 oz / 425g) navy beans drained and rinsed
  • 6 slices (8 oz / 225g) thick-cut bacon cut into small squares
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup (240ml) ketchup tomato base
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) molasses unsulphured
  • 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar packed
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon (15g) Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch Oven or Large Skillet Used for rendering bacon and simmering beans.
  • 1 White Ceramic Bowl For serving.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Place square-cut bacon in a cold skillet. Heat to medium and cook until crispy and browned. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving 2 tbsp fat in the pan.
  2. Sauté diced onion in the bacon fat until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Whisk in ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and mustard. Stir until the sugars are dissolved and a rich reddish-brown glaze forms.
  4. Add the navy beans to the sauce. Simmer on low for 20 minutes (or bake at 350°F for 30 minutes) until the sauce is glossy and thick.
  5. Transfer to a white ceramic bowl. Top with reserved crispy bacon and a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley flakes.

Notes

Use thick-cut bacon for the best crispy texture.
For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the molasses glaze.