Bacon Maple Baked Beans

These Bacon Maple Baked Beans, slightly sweet, and with a fabulous flavor of smoked paprika, are the ultimate comfort dish.

This post was originally published in February 2016. I have taken and updated photos while the recipe (I only used low-fat back bacon this time to reduce fats and calories) and text remain unchanged. 

But wait. I’ve got a question. How many times did you hesitate to make a dish? Be honest. I bet the fingers of your 2 hands won’t be enough.

That has happened to me a number of times. I am afraid if I mentioned all of them, It would take 5 or 7 posts. Besides, I am afraid I won’t be able to count all of them. You know, it’s a bit embarrassing to acknowledge such a fact.

Let’s say ice cream. If you have been reading my blog for a while, you may know ice cream is my thing. However, 5 years ago or so I didn’t think this way. Making ice cream without an ice cream maker? No way. I would screw it. I didn’t screw it, though. That year and that was 2012, I made ice cream over 30 times. Those were only the officially recorded recipes which I posted on my old Russian blog. Nobody knows how much ice cream I actually made that time.

Or let’s say a green smoothie. I had been raising a skeptical eye on it for years. I mean, a drink of a lovely green color? No thanks. I prefer to eat my spinach, not drink. Don’t like the green color either. Finally, it happened in 2013. I made a simple smoothie with blueberries…and I felt in love! I cannot say I drink them every day (sometimes not even every week), but since that time I’ve tried a number of delicious combos. There’s my personal favorite – chocolate green smoothie. Mixed with bananas and a few tablespoons of cocoa, a simple spinach smoothie turns in a fabulous and luscious dessert! If the bananas are frozen – it’s almost like ice cream. BTW, what a good idea – I’ll need to make green smoothie ice cream. Eating ice cream in the morning for your breakfast, isn’t it a sweet dream?

Now we can talk about these scrumptious Bacon Maple Baked Beans which I made a few months ago. Sure I was aware of this method of cooking beans. I had been eating them. But I had not cooked them. We don’t count those few minutes to open a can and heat the beans in the microwave, do we?

Taking about minutes, this is a time-consuming recipe that is why I was reluctant to make it. So when I was thinking of baking some beans, I searched the Internet to find out some solutions. Using a slow cooker wasn’t exactly my solution (probably cause I don’t have a slow cooker). Using canned beans wasn’t a solution either – I wanted everything from scratch (well, except the cultivation of the beans – that would take the way too much time). Then I decided to soak the dry beans first, boil them a bit, and finally bake. I cannot say that did take really less time, though, but this way worked for me.

I decided to flavor the beans with maple syrup (Because it’s Canada – what would you anticipate, eh?). Besides, I added some bacon because beans without bacon is a nonsense (well, they are not, but I wanted some bacon). Finally, I jazzed them up with some smoked paprika. The beans, maple syrup, bacon, and paprika made a fantastic combo!

There’s nothing to depict here. It’s delicious. Obviously.  If it’s not, well, you should make these Bacon Maple Baked Beans, and then we’ll talk about them.

Do you like baked beans? How many things are you hesitating or afraid to make now? What are they (except lavender)?

Bacon Maple Baked Beans

November 1, 2018

by Ben | Havocinthekitchen

Category Side Dish

Delicious, soft, smoky, and ultimately comfort Bacon Maple Baked Beans with real maple syrup, bacon, and smoked paprika.

Prep Time

8 hours

Cook Time

3 hours

Notes

havocinthekitchen.com

Ingredients

• 2 cups dry navy beans
• 1 cup pure maple syrup
• 6-7 slices bacon, sliced (Note: In 2018 I used low-fat back bacon, and it was great too)
• 1 large Spanish onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup ketchup or tomato sauce
• 1-1,5 tablespoons smoked paprika
• 1-1,5 tablespoon dry mustard
• Salt, pepper to taste
• Fresh thyme

Instructions

• Soak the beans in water overnight. Drain, rinse, and cover with fresh cold water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for about 45-60 minutes, or until the beans are tender.
• Drain the beans. Mix them with the bacon, onion, maple syrup, ketchup, mustard, and seasonings. Add a bit (about 1/4 cup) of hot water and mix.
• Place the beans in a baking dish and cover with foil and put in the oven preheated to 130 degrees C (250 degrees F). Bake for about 2 hours or longer until the desired softness. If the liquid has evaporated during baking, add some water.
• Serve with fresh thyme.
• Enjoy!

Tags

Bacon,

Maple Syrup

Ben | Havocinthekitchen

Hi – I’m Ben, a blogger, recipe developer, and food photographer. I’m glad you’re here! I hope you will enjoy hundreds of delicious recipes and a pinch of havoc in the kitchen.