Best Baked Beans
The absolute best baked beans recipe! Addictively syrupy and loaded with flavors of BBQ sauce, dijon, smoked paprika and brown sugar. Delectable!
Best Baked Beans
4 slices bacon, diced 1 small onion or half a medium onion, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced (reserve 2 tablespoons diced peppers and set aside) 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon smoked paprika pinch of cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon dijon mustard 1 tablespoon brown sugar 2 (15-ounce) cans pork and beans (3 - 4 cups) 2 slices bacon, for topping (optional)
-Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
-Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and add the bacon. Cook until brown and crisp, and most of the fat is rendered. Remove the bacon from the skillet, then set aside, leaving the bacon grease in the skillet.
-Stir in the onion, pepper and garlic. Saute over medium-high heat, stirring often, until everything softens, about 5 minutes. Add the paprika, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Continue to cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the vinegar, BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard and brown sugar until combined.
-Add the pork and beans without draining, directly from the cans. Bring the mixture to a boil, then turn off the heat. Taste the beans, adjusting if necessary.
-Spoon the bean mixture into an ovenproof baking dish, then place in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until bubbly. Remove and let cool slightly before serving. Garnish the top with optional crisp bacon as garnish. Makes 6 servings. (Can be prepared a few days in advance and kept in the fridge until ready to cook in the oven. They may also be frozen, thawed, then baked.)
In a deep skillet, fry the bacon until crispy. Remove from skillet then add vegetables and saute until soft.
Add pork and beans, along with BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar and seasonings.
Spoon bean mixture into an oven-proof baking dish and bake until thick and bubbly.
Garnish with more crisp bacon bits and chopped red pepper, then serve this rich and gooey, summer favorite, bean dish!
