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Savory BBQ Baked Beans Recipe Easy Homemade Sweet Smoky Beans from Scratch

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A comforting and flavorful baked beans recipe featuring a homemade sweet and smoky BBQ sauce, perfect for BBQs, potlucks, or cozy dinners. Made from scratch with simple pantry staples and dry navy beans for the best texture and taste.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (about 300g) dry navy beans or great northern beans, soaked overnight
  • 6 cups (1.4 liters) water or low-sodium broth for soaking and cooking
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ¼ cup (50g) brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup (240 ml) water, added during baking
  • Optional: 4 slices cooked bacon or diced smoked sausage (for meaty twist)
  • Optional for vegetarian/vegan: splash of liquid smoke instead of meat and vegan Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

  1. Place 1 ½ cups dry navy beans in a large bowl and cover with 4 cups cold water. Soak overnight or at least 8 hours.
  2. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
  3. Drain and rinse soaked beans under cold water; set aside.
  4. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
  5. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Stir in tomato paste, smoked paprika, mustard powder, and brown sugar. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  7. Add drained beans, 6 cups water or broth, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
  8. Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 45-60 minutes, adding water if needed to keep from drying out.
  9. Add 1 cup water to the pot, stir well, and cover with a tight-fitting lid or foil.
  10. Transfer pot to preheated oven and bake for 2 to 2 ½ hours, stirring every 30 minutes. Add water if sauce thickens too much.
  11. Remove from oven, taste, and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or brown sugar if desired. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

If you forget to soak beans overnight, boil them for 2 minutes, then cover and let sit for 1 hour before cooking. For a vegetarian version, omit Worcestershire sauce and meat, adding liquid smoke for smokiness. Stir beans every 30 minutes during baking to prevent burning. Adjust sauce thickness by adding water or simmering uncovered after baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ baked beans, homemade baked beans, sweet smoky beans, baked beans from scratch, navy beans recipe, BBQ side dish, easy baked beans

Find it online: https://lumalunch.com/savory-bbq-baked-beans-recipe-easy-homemade-sweet-smoky-beans-from-scratch/