For a taste of good old fashioned baked beans look no further than this simple recipe. You can recreate the mouthwatering side dish from the comfort of your home without the need for preservatives and artificial flavors.
This recipe can be made with or without the bacon depending on if you want original or vegetarian baked beans. The nice thing about bacon is you do not have to eat it but you can enjoy the flavor.
Ingredients You Need
1 Pound of Dried Navy Beans
1 Large Onion
2 Cloves of Garlic
½ Teaspoon of Sea Salt
¼ Teaspoon of Fresh Ground Pepper
1 ½ Cups of Dark Brown Sugar
¼ Cup of Worcestershire Sauce
2 Cups of Ketchup
1/2 Cup of Maple Syrup
1/2 Cup of Dark Molasses
½ Pound of Smoked Bacon
Supplies You Need
2 Quart or Larger Slow Cooker
Large Pot with Lid
Large Metal or Glass Bowl
Large Frying Pan
Strainer
Sharp Chopping Knife
Cutting Board
Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons
Large Mixing Spoon
Making the Baked Beans
Rinse the bag of dried beans in your strainer and then put them into the large pot. Fill the pot half way with water and soak them overnight or for about twelve hours. Then rinse the beans again in the strainer and put them back in the pot with new water.
Place the pot of beans on the burner turned to high and cover until they begin to boil. Then turn the heat down to low and simmer the beans until they are tender which is typically about an hour. Strain the beans in the strainer catching the bean water in a bowl. Leave the beans dripping over the bowl for now.
Peel the outer layer off the onion and finely chop one cup of onion pieces. Then mince the two cloves of garlic and put it into the bottom of your slow cooker with the bacon and onion. Turn the slow cooker on high and using your mixing spoon mix the bacon, onion and garlic until the onion softens.
Next add one cup of the bean water and the dark brown sugar to the slow cooker and stir until the sugar fully dissolves. Then add the Worcestershire sauce, maple syrup, dark molasses, ketchup, salt and pepper. Mix all these ingredients together well.
Then pour your cooked navy beans into the slow cooker and stir them into your sauce. Place the slow cooker on medium-high or auto cook for about 3 to 5 hours. Stir every so often to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom.
If you have the buffet, simmer or low setting put it on that until you are ready to serve the beans. Once served turn it off and cool for putting in the fridge for the next day.
