Savory Southern-Style Baked Beans Recipe
Hark, ye lords and ladies, allow me to introduce a recipe that shall tickle thy taste buds and satisfy thy hunger. Straight from the kitchens of the south, I present to thee, the delectable Southern Style Baked Beans!
Whence thou layeth thy eyes upon this dish, thou shalt be transported to the land of cowboys and country music, where the aroma of smoky bacon and tangy barbecue sauce wafts through the air. This dish is best enjoyed with family and friends on lazy afternoons, regaling each other with tales of yore while devouring each spoonful of these heavenly baked beans.
Behold! The perfect combination of flavors, featuring savory cuts of bacon, a hint of pepper, and a touch of sweetness from brown sugar. And what makes this recipe even more special is its versatility. Thou canst serve it as a side dish or go all out and create a hearty main course by adding ground beef or hamburger meat.
So grab hold thy aprons and let us embark on a culinary adventure that promises to excite thy palate and warm thy soul. With this recipe at thy beck and call, thou shalt be hailed as a master chef in no time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Oh fair countrymen, lend me thy ears, for I have a tale to spin! A tale of Southern flavour that’ll set your taste buds aflame with delight! For what delicacy can compare to the sheer indulgence of Southern-style Baked Beans?
This recipe is a true testament to the exquisite union of bacon, brown sugar and barbecue sauce. With its rich and smoky aroma, it’s a dish that baffles the mind and delights the senses. The beans cooked to perfection, oh so tender yet firm, while the meaty bits add texture and depth.
But what I find truly incredible is this recipe’s versatility. You can tweak it here and there to meet your demand. Add ground beef, spices or jalapeños when you want a little heat. Or if your heart yearns for more variety, throw in some red beans, pinto beans or kidney beans for added richness.
Furthermore, this recipe is not only scrumptious but also easy on the wallet. You can whip up a large batch of these Southern-style baked beans using ingredients readily available in your pantry.
So if you’re looking for an easy and savoury recipe that’ll leave a lasting impression on your guests or satisfy your own insatiable craving, look no further than my Southern Style Baked Beans Recipe!
Ingredient List
Let’s get started with the ingredient list! For Southern Style Baked Beans Recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Beans Ingredients:
- 3 (28 oz) cans of pork and beans
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 8 slices of bacon, chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Baked Beans Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons liquid smoke (optional)
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
Feel free to use canned beans or beans cooked from scratch. You could also substitute pork and beans for pinto bean, red beans, or red kidney beans. Additionally, if you want to make it a meaty Southern Style Baked beans recipe, you could add ground beef or hamburger meat to the mix.
The Recipe How-To
Now that you have all the ingredients ready, let’s start preparing our Southern Style Baked Beans! Follow these simple steps to create a delicious and comforting side dish that is perfect for any meal.
Preheat Your Oven
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This will give your oven enough time to reach the desired temperature while you prepare the other ingredients.
Cook the Bacon and Onion
In a large Dutch oven or oven-safe pot, cook 8 slices of chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pot and set it aside.
Next, in the same pot with the bacon grease, sauté one medium onion finely chopped until it turns translucent. You can also add one bell pepper chopped, for an extra flavor boost.
Brown Ground Beef (Optional)
If you want to add some protein to your baked beans, brown a pound of ground beef in the pot after you remove the onion and bell pepper mixture. Cook until browned on all sides.
Add Other Ingredients
Return the onion and bell pepper mixture (and ground beef if you chose to add it) to the pot. To this mixture, add your canned beans: 2 cans of pork and beans, 1 can of red kidney beans, and 1 can of pinto beans drained but not rinsed.
Now it’s time to add some flavor. Put in a cup of ketchup, 1/4 cup of yellow mustard, and 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce into the pot. Also, add one tablespoon of liquid smoke, which will give your baked beans that authentic barbecue flavor.
Finally, add 1/4 cup of brown sugar, making sure that it’s spread evenly throughout the mixture.
Bake Your Beans
Stir everything together and top it off with the crispy bacon bits. Put the pot uncovered into the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes to an hour, until the top is bubbly and slightly caramelized.
Let It Rest Before Serving
Take the pot out of the oven, but don’t serve it right away. Let it rest for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld together even more. Sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley on top before serving.
That’s it! Your delicious Southern Style Baked Beans are ready to be served.
Substitutions and Variations
Hark! Shouldst thee wish to give thy Southern Style Baked Beans a new twist, ye canst experiment with thy ingredients and switch ‘em up a bit. Fear not, for I have listed substitutions and variations that wouldst turn thy baked beans from a classic to a contemporary dish.
Firstly, if thou art not keen on using pork beans, thou canst substitute them with Southern Pinto or Red Beans. These beans can give thee a different texture and flavors that might tickle thy taste buds.
If thou desireth thy baked beans with ground beef, then, lo and behold! Thou canst add hamburgers to the mix. Tis’ true, my friends, adding small pieces of ground beef or hamburger meat is already a common variation in Southern Baked Beans.
Shouldst thou wish to make vegan Southern Style Baked Beans, thou canst replace the bacon strips with mushrooms or Smoked Paprika powder for an even smokier flavor. As for Worcestershire sauce, which contain anchovies, you can remove it or use vegan Worcestershire sauce instead.
Moreover, thou canst add more vegetables such as bell peppers or spicy jalapeno peppers to the recipe’s ingredient list. These additions will give your Southern Style Baked Beans some extra zing and zest!
Finally, shouldst thee feel saucy and adventurous in thy culinary pursuits, thou might want to try experimenting with different barbecue sauce flavors like chipotle or honey barbecue sauces. Trust me; it would taste delightful!
Fret not dear companions, for the joy in cooking comes from being innovative and experimental with thy ingredients. Do whatever suits thou culinary preference and enjoy thy meal!
Serving and Pairing
When it comes to serving and pairing your delicious southern-style baked beans, the options are endless! But fear not, gentle readers, for I have some suggestions that will perfectly complement the rich, smoky flavor of these savory beans.
If you’re looking to keep things simple, serve your baked beans with some classic southern dishes like fried chicken, barbecue ribs or brisket. This combination is a match made in heaven and will transport you straight to the heart of the south.
For those who want to add a fresh and zesty touch to this already-delicious recipe, try serving it with a light green salad or roasted vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or carrots. The crispy texture of the vegetables complements the tender texture of the beans.
Another tasty pairing is cornbread or biscuits. The warm and buttery flavor of these side dishes flawlessly balances out the tangy taste of baked beans.
And let’s not forget about beverages! A cool and refreshing glass of iced tea is a classic southern drink that pairs perfectly with hot summer days and barbecue meals. You can also pair this dish with a cold beer or fruity cocktail if you’re feeling more adventurous.
In conclusion, go wild when it comes to serving and pairing your southern-style baked beans! Whether you choose classic Southern dishes or experiment with new flavors and pairings, these beans are sure to be a hit at any gathering.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
When it comes to the Southern Style Baked Beans recipe, there are a few important tips you’ll want to keep in mind when it comes to storing and reheating. The good news is that these beans are incredibly versatile and can be reheated easily, making them a perfect dish to make ahead of time for your next gathering or party.
To make these beans ahead of time, simply follow the recipe as written and store the finished product in an airtight container in your refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, simply reheat them in the oven or on the stovetop until hot and bubbly.
If you’re looking to store leftovers, be sure to transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate promptly. These beans will keep well in your fridge for up to 3-4 days. If you have a lot of leftovers, you can also freeze them. However, keep in mind that the texture of the beans may change slightly when reheated after being frozen.
To reheat your leftover baked beans, preheat your oven to 350°F or reheat on your stovetop over low heat until heated through, stirring occasionally. You may also add some additional liquid (such as water, broth or more barbecue sauce) if they seem dry.
Overall, these Southern Style Baked Beans are an easy dish that can be made ahead of time and enjoyed for several meals. So go ahead and double or triple the recipe – you’ll be glad to have it on hand!
Tips for Perfect Results
Friends, to make perfect southern style baked beans, we need to make sure we don’t commit any mistakes that may ruin this classic and delicious Southern dish. Therefore, here are some essential tips and recommendations from an experienced southern-style chef:
1. Bacon: Adding diced bacon brings out the smoky flavor in the dishes. So, precook the bacon before adding it to the recipe. To cut bacn easily, place it in the freezer and then slice it.
2. Enhance the Flavors: You can enhance the flavors of your easy southern baked beans by adding some liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, or barbecue sauce. You can also add a pinch of garlic powder for a tasty kick.
3. Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds sweetness and enhances the flavor of baked beans; make sure to use it as an ingredient in your recipe.
4. Onion: Use yellow onion if possible as they tend to have a milder flavor; if you want crispy onions on top of your dish, mix up some bread crumbs and grated cheesy crust on top of everything before baking it.
5. Bell peppers: Bell peppers can add some crunchiness and increase the nutritional value of your dish. The choice of using green or red bells depends on personal preference.
6. Cooking time: Baked beans require slow cooking to bring out maximum flavor and tenderness. If you’re using canned beans (instead of dried ones), reduce cooking time by about 30 minutes.
7. Beans Type: Different bean varieties, such as butter beans, pinto beans or red kidney beans can also be used instead of navy beans or pork and beans.
8. Temperature: Always preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking the dish.
Follow these tips carefully to achieve great results with all those flavors bursting out from every ingredient!
FAQ
Hark! As thou adventures in thy quest to create the perfect Southern Style Baked Beans, thou might encounter some questions along the way. Halt not, for I have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help thee on thy journey. Peruse this section and find the answers thou seek, so thou may create a dish that will leave thy guests swooning with delight!
How do you make baked beans taste better?
For this recipe, we’ll need some delicious bacon, finely chopped onion, rich molasses, some tangy Worcestershire sauce, and some sweet brown sugar. To give it a little bit of a kick, we’ll be using spicy brown mustard but don’t worry if you don’t have any on hand, you can substitute with yellow mustard. And just in case you’re feeling adventurous, you can add in a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar for a touch of tanginess (this is optional and not required). These ingredients will come together to create a mouth-watering dish, perfect for satisfying those southern food cravings.
What goes with Southern baked beans?
In this recipe article, I’ll be sharing my expertise on several savory and hearty dishes that are popular in southern-style cuisine. These dishes include BBQ ribs, mac and cheese, hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork or pulled chicken, Shepherd’s Pie, baked ham, and brisket. Get ready to dive into these mouth-watering dishes that will leave you craving for more!
Why do people put vinegar in baked beans?
When cooking southern-style beans, it’s best to wait until they are almost done before adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a few teaspoons of salt to the pot. The vinegar helps with digestion and adds a pleasant tanginess to the dish, which allows you to use less salt. This way, the beans are both healthy and delicious.
Do you have to soak beans before making baked beans?
For those eager bean-lovers out there, it’s possible to cook dry beans without any pre-soaking. It’s important to note that these beans will require a longer cooking time compared to soaked beans, but they will eventually become fully cooked.
Bottom Line
Go forth and enjoy the delectable delight that is Southern Style Baked Beans! Trust me, once you give this recipe a try, you’ll never settle for anything less. Whether for a family barbecue or just a weeknight dinner, these beans are the perfect addition to any meal. So don’t wait any longer, gather up those ingredients and let’s get cookin’!
Southern Style Baked Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 (28 ounce) cans baked beans
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 drops liquid smoke (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 5 -6 slices thick-cut bacon
Instructions
- Combine ketchup, barbeque sauce, brown sugar, mustard, worchestershire sauce, Liquid Smoke, garlic and pepper in a medium-sized bowl and mix well; set aside.
- Open each can of beans and pour off all the standing liquid in the top of the can. Discard liquid and add beans to the ketchup mixture. Mix beans gently with the ketchup mixture until thoroughly combined then pour into a shallow 2-quart baking dish.
- Cut bacon into 1/2 inch pieces then place pieces evenly in a single layer on top of beans. I like to kinda crumple each piece a bit instead of laying them flat – like little inchworms. The cute ride-on toys from the 80’s not actual worms because that’s gross. Bake beans, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 1 to 1.5 hours or until bacon is cooked through and starting to crisp. Enjoy!