This Apple Baked Beans recipe is a twist on the classic American favorite. It combines the sweetness of apples with the hearty flavors of beans and bacon. The beans are slow-cooked in a rich sauce made with apple cider, molasses, and spices, resulting in a dish that is both comforting and full of flavor. Serve these apple baked beans as a side dish at your next barbecue or potluck, or enjoy them as a main course with some fresh rolls. Either way, they are sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
- 4 cans (15 ounces each) of navy beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 4 slices of bacon, chopped
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and set aside a large baking dish.
- In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside, leaving the bacon grease in the skillet.
- Add the diced onion to the skillet with the bacon grease and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the drained navy beans, cooked bacon, diced apples, apple cider, ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well combined.
- Transfer the bean mixture to the prepared baking dish and cover it with foil.
- Bake the apple baked beans in the preheated oven for 1 hour. Then, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional hour or until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve the apple baked beans warm as a side dish or as a main course with fresh rolls.
