Description
Paula Deen’s baked beans showcase Southern comfort with a hearty blend of smoky bacon, brown sugar, and tangy barbecue sauce. Perfectly balanced flavors meld together, creating a crowd-pleasing side dish you’ll crave at summer gatherings and potluck celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- ½ pound (0.23 kilogram) bacon
- 1 large onion
- 1 (16 ounces/454 grams) can pork and beans
Sauces and Seasonings:
- 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 4 tablespoons ketchup
- 5 tablespoons maple syrup
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 160°C / 325°F, preparing a suitable baking dish for the hearty bean preparation.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon strips until they transform into crisp, golden-brown fragments. Transfer the crumbled bacon to a separate plate.
- Utilize the remaining bacon drippings to sauté finely chopped onions, cooking them until they develop a rich, caramelized appearance and release a sweet, aromatic fragrance.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the pork and beans, crumbled bacon pieces, sautéed onions, and the flavorful bacon drippings.
- Introduce tangy mustard, rich maple syrup, and classic ketchup to the bean mixture, stirring thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed and coated.
- Transfer the fully mixed bean concoction into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even layer for consistent cooking.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture and prevent excessive surface browning.
- Place the covered dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 45 to 60 minutes, or until the beans become bubbly, slightly thickened, and develop a rich, deep color.
Notes
- Customize the heat by adjusting hot sauce or pepper levels to match your spice tolerance.
- Create a vegan version by swapping bacon with smoked tempeh or coconut bacon for similar smoky notes.
- Keep leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days, reheating gently to maintain texture.
- Check bean tenderness during cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain a perfect soft yet firm consistency.
- Experiment with different bean varieties like cannellini or navy beans for unique flavor profiles and textures.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 343
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 1003 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 23 mg