Sweet and Smoky Baked Beans

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: Newfoundland, North American

Prep Time: 30

Cook Time: 1 30

Total Time: 2

Servings: servings

Calories: 497kcal

Author: Lord Byron's Kitchen

Instant Pot or traditional oven, Sweet and Smoky Baked Beans are delicious and so easy to prepare. Never buy canned beans from the grocer again! Make them vegetarian or serve them with fried crumbled bacon or ham on the side!

Print Recipe

Ingredients

2 pounds dried navy beans, washed and rinsed
10 cups water
1 large white onion, finely diced
1 cup molasses
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
12 slices bacon (or 1 large ham steak)

Instructions

Add the beans, salt, and water to the Instant Pot. Lock on the lid, close the steam valve (if applicable to your pot) and set to the bean setting, normal, for 60 minutes.
In the meantime, pan fry the bacon or ham until cooked to your preference. Drain and allow to cool. Crumble or slice the bacon into 1 inch pieces. Ham should be cut into a 1/2 inch dice.
Once done, release the steam. Once steam is released, remove the lid and stir the beans. At this point, you can drain the water for a dryer version of baked beans, or you can leave the water in. (I left the water in the pot.)
Add in the onion, molasses, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, dry mustard, chili powder, ground black pepper, and garlic powder. Stir to combine.
Lock on the lid, close the valve if applicable, and set to bean, normal, for 30 minutes.
Release the steam and remove the lid once it's safe to do so. Turn off your Instant Pot. Stir the beans. You will notice that there is a lot of liquid. Don't worry; the liquid will be absorbed.
If you are adding bacon or ham, do so now and stir into the beans. Allow the beans to sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

If using a traditional oven, add the soaked beans to a roasting pan or casserole dish with a lid. Add cold water until just covering the beans. Add the salt. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Remove from oven and add all other ingredients except the bacon or ham. Stir to combine. Cover and bake for 90 minutes, stirring every 30 minutes.

If you notice the beans are getting too dry, add 1/2 cup water and stir through. Continue to bake until beans and tender and slightly mushy.

Remove from oven. Stir in the bacon or ham if using. Serve immediately.

Nutrition