Homemade Baked Beans: A Step-by-Step Guide

Baked beans are a classic comfort food that is loved by many. You can purchase canned baked beans at your local grocery store, but homemade baked beans are definitely worth the extra effort. Making baked beans from scratch allows you to control the ingredients and adjust the flavor to your preference. Plus, the aroma of slow-cooking baked beans will make your house smell amazing.

To make baked beans from scratch, you will need to start with dry navy beans. These can be soaked overnight to soften before cooking, or you can use a quick soak method to expedite the process. Once your beans are ready, you can begin to add in all of the delicious ingredients. Bacon, onion, molasses, and brown sugar are common additions to give the beans a sweet and savory flavor. The beans can then be slow-cooked in the oven or on the stovetop to allow the flavors to meld together. Overall, making baked beans from scratch can take a bit of time and effort, but the end result is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for any occasion.

Making Baked Beans from Scratch: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you tired of eating canned baked beans and ready to try making your own from scratch? Look no further, because we have you covered! In this article, we will guide you through the process of making delicious baked beans from scratch. Whether you’re cooking for one or the whole family, our recipe is easily adjustable and customizable to suit your taste buds.

Ingredients

Let’s start with the essentials. To make baked beans from scratch, you will need the following ingredients:

– 1 pound dried navy beans
– 1 onion, diced
– 1/2 cup molasses
– 1/2 cup brown sugar
– 1/4 cup ketchup
– 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
– 2 teaspoons dry mustard
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
– 6 cups water

Step 1: Soaking the Beans

The first step to making baked beans from scratch is soaking the dried navy beans overnight. Place the beans in a large pot and cover with 2 inches of water. Let the beans soak for at least 8 hours, or overnight.

Step 2: Preparing the Beans

After soaking, drain and rinse the beans thoroughly. Add them back to the pot and cover with 6 cups of fresh water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 1 hour.

Step 3: Cooking the Onions

While the beans are simmering, dice 1 onion and sauté in a pan over medium heat until softened and translucent.

Step 4: Preparing the Sauce

In a separate bowl, mix together 1/2 cup molasses, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons dry mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.

Step 5: Combining the Ingredients

Add the sautéed onions and the sauce mixture to the pot with the beans. Mix well and bring to a boil.

Step 6: Baking the Beans

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Cover the pot with a lid and transfer to the oven. Bake for 4-6 hours, or until the beans are tender and the sauce is thickened to your liking. You may need to add additional water if the liquid reduces too much.

Step 7: Checking for Doneness

To check if the beans are done, taste and see if they are tender to your liking. If not, return to the oven and continue baking.

Step 8: Customizing Your Baked Beans

Want to add additional flavors to your baked beans? Try adding bacon, jalapeños, or even beer to the mix. Get creative with your ingredients and make the recipe your own!

Step 9: Serving Your Baked Beans

Baked beans are a versatile dish that can be served hot or cold. They make a great side dish for summer barbecues or a comforting supper on a chilly evening. Try serving with cornbread or grilled meats for a delicious meal.

Step 10: Storing Your Leftover Baked Beans

Store leftover baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven when ready to serve.

Congratulations, you’ve successfully made homemade baked beans from scratch! This delicious dish is perfect for any occasion and will have your taste buds begging for more. Give our recipe a try and let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Happy cooking!

Ingredients and Equipment Needed to Make Baked Beans From Scratch

Now that you know the basic steps for making baked beans from scratch, let’s talk about the ingredients and equipment you’ll need to get started. Here’s a list of everything you’ll need:

1. White navy beans or other white beans: You’ll need about 1 pound of dried beans for this recipe.
2. Bacon or pork: You can use either bacon or pork for this recipe. About 1 pound of bacon or pork is required.
3. Onion: You’ll need 1 large onion, diced.
4. Garlic: You’ll need 3 cloves of garlic, minced.
5. Tomato sauce: You’ll need about 1/2 cup of tomato sauce for this recipe.
6. Molasses: About 1/4 cup of molasses will work for this recipe.
7. Brown sugar: About 1/3 cup of brown sugar is required.
8. Mustard: You’ll need about 2 tablespoons of mustard.
9. Salt and pepper: These ingredients are needed to season the dish.
10. Dutch oven or slow cooker: You can use either a Dutch oven or a slow cooker to slow cook the baked beans.

Before starting with the cooking process, make sure you have all the ingredients ready at hand. You don’t want to be running back and forth to the store halfway through the recipe.

When it comes to equipment, a Dutch oven or slow cooker makes the cooking process easier and more efficient. For the Dutch oven, make sure it’s big enough to accommodate the beans, and all the other ingredients. If you plan to use a slow cooker, make sure that it is big enough to fit all the ingredients and ensure that it has the right settings for slow cooking.

It’s important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the equipment you use. Slow cookers may take longer to cook the beans than a Dutch oven.

In addition to the above-mentioned ingredients and equipment, it’s always a good idea to have a set of measuring cups and spoons to measure the ingredients accurately. A stirring spoon, a ladle, and a cutting board to help in dicing onions and garlic will also come in handy during the cooking process.

Having all these ingredients and equipment ready will make the cooking process easier and faster, and ensure that the end result is a delicious and nutritious meal that you and your family will enjoy.

Ingredients for Homemade Baked Beans

Making baked beans from scratch requires a few basic ingredients, which are relatively easy to find at any grocery store. Here are the ingredients that you will need:

Preparing the White Beans

The first step in making baked beans from scratch is to prepare the white beans. You can use any type of white beans, but small white navy beans are the traditional choice for baked beans. Follow these steps to prepare the beans:

1. Sort through the beans and remove any stones or debris. Rinse the beans in cold water and drain.

2. Put the beans in a large pot and add enough water to cover them by at least an inch. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.

3. Boil the beans for 2 minutes, then remove the pot from the heat. Cover the pot and let the beans soak for 1-2 hours.

4. Drain the beans and rinse them again.

Cooking the Onion and Bacon (if using)

Baked beans are typically made with onions and bacon, although you can omit the bacon if you prefer a vegetarian option. Follow these steps to cook the onion and bacon:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F.

2. Peel and chop the onion. If using bacon, chop it into small pieces.

3. In a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until it is crispy, about 8 minutes.

4. Remove the bacon from the pot with a slotted spoon and set it aside. Leave the bacon grease in the pot.

5. Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook it in the bacon grease until it is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Making the Baked Bean Sauce

The sauce is what gives the baked beans their signature sweet and savory flavor. Follow these steps to make the sauce:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, ketchup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, molasses, salt, and black pepper.

2. Add the sauce to the pot with the cooked onions and bacon grease.

3. Add the white beans and enough water to cover the beans by 1 inch.

Cooking the Baked Beans

The final step is to cook the baked beans. Follow these steps to finish the dish:

1. Cover the pot and bake the beans in the preheated oven for 4-6 hours, or until the beans are tender and the sauce is thick and bubbly. If the sauce seems too thick, add more water.

2. If you are using bacon, sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the top of the beans during the last hour of cooking.

3. Let the baked beans cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve hot with your favorite sides, such as cornbread, coleslaw, or potato salad.

Delicious Baked Beans from Scratch

There you have it – recipe for baked beans that is easy to follow and is full of flavor! We hope you enjoyed our step-by-step guide on how to make baked beans from scratch. Now that you have the secret to making delicious baked beans, why not show off your culinary skills and make them for your friends and family? Don’t forget to come back to our website for more delicious recipes that we will be posting in the future. Thanks for reading and happy cooking!