Description
Root beer baked beans elevate classic campfire fare with a sweet and tangy twist. Hearty beans simmer in a rich sauce, promising a delightful side dish you’ll crave at summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
- 2 cans (15 oz / 425 g) navy beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup root beer (not diet)
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsps molasses
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Bacon Preparation: Dice bacon and render fat in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat until golden and crisp. Remove bacon pieces, reserving drippings.
- Aromatic Base: Sauté chopped onions in bacon drippings until translucent and fragrant, creating a flavor foundation for the beans.
- Flavor Fusion: Combine beans, root beer, barbecue sauce, ketchup, molasses, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in the skillet. Mix thoroughly to create a robust and complex flavor profile.
- Bacon Integration: Fold most of the cooked bacon into the bean mixture, reserving a small portion for garnishing, which will provide a textural contrast.
- Slow Roasting: Transfer skillet to a preheated 350F (175C) oven. Slow-cook the beans, stirring occasionally to ensure even caramelization and prevent burning, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
- Final Touch: After 45-60 minutes, when the beans have developed a thick, glossy sauce that coats each bean perfectly, remove from the oven. Sprinkle remaining crisp bacon pieces on top for a final burst of flavor and crunch.
Notes
- Bacon Crispness Matters: Render bacon slowly to achieve maximum crunchiness, which adds textural complexity and enhances overall flavor profile.
- Root Beer Selection: Choose a high-quality root beer with robust flavor to ensure depth and subtle sweetness throughout the baked beans.
- Moisture Management: Stir periodically during baking to prevent beans from drying out and maintain a glossy, rich sauce consistency.
- Vegetarian Adaptation: Replace bacon with smoked paprika and liquid smoke for similar depth, and use plant-based bacon alternative or mushrooms for umami undertones.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg