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Cozy Grandpa’s Slow-Cooked Baked Beans Recipe with Bacon and Molasses Made Easy

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A comforting slow-cooked baked beans recipe featuring smoky bacon and rich molasses, perfect for cozy family dinners and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups dried navy beans
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon
  • ¼ cup unsulphured dark molasses
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 ½ cups dried navy beans and soak overnight in a large bowl with enough cold water to cover by 2 inches. For a quick soak, boil beans and water for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and soak for 1 hour. Drain and rinse.
  2. Cook 6 thick-cut bacon slices in a Dutch oven over medium heat until crispy, about 8 minutes. Remove bacon and set aside on paper towels. Leave rendered fat in pot.
  3. Add 1 finely chopped medium onion to bacon fat and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute, stirring.
  4. Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to caramelize slightly. Add ¼ cup molasses, ¼ cup packed brown sugar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Mix well.
  5. Return drained beans to pot and pour in 3 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth. Stir, scraping up browned bits.
  6. Add 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Stir well.
  7. Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover loosely and simmer for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender but not mushy. Add water if too thick.
  8. Chop cooked bacon into bite-sized pieces and stir into beans during last 10 minutes of cooking.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or vinegar if needed. Let beans rest covered off heat for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Soak beans overnight or use quick soak method for even cooking. Keep simmer low to avoid splitting beans. Add salt towards the end to keep beans tender. For thicker sauce, remove lid during last 30 minutes. Adjust molasses to taste to avoid overpowering sweetness. Slow cooker option: cook 6-8 hours on low after stove prep.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, slow-cooked beans, bacon, molasses, comfort food, navy beans, cozy recipe

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/cozy-grandpas-slow-cooked-baked-beans-recipe-with-bacon-and-molasses-made-easy/