These Maple Bacon Baked Beans are the best quick and easy side dish. They're made with canned white beans and crispy bacon tossed in a thick, sweet, and smoky sauce.
6cupscanned white beans (1150 grams or 3 540ml cans)(or 1 lb dried beans -- see note*)
1small onion(finely diced)
1cupwater
1cantomato paste156 ml (½ cup)
½cuppure maple syrup
¼cupapple cider vinegar
¼cupmolasses
2tablespoonscorn starch
2tablespoonsWorcestershire sauce
2teaspoonsminced garlic
1 ½teaspoonssalt
1teaspoonground mustard
⅛teaspoonblack pepper
1-2pinchesred pepper flakes optional
4stripsthick cut bacon, chopped
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and lightly grease a 9x13" baking dish.
Drain beans and rinse well (*note below includes method for using dried beans). Place in the baking dish with the onion.
In a large bowl, whisk together the water, tomato paste, maple syrup, vinegar, molasses, corn starch, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, mustard, pepper and pepper flakes.
Pour sauce over beans and stir to combine. Lay the bacon pieces on top of the beans.
Bake for 30-45 minutes, until bacon is cooked through and sauce is thickened and bubbly. You can cover with foil for the first portion of the cook time to prevent splatter if desired, but I recommend uncovering to help crisp the bacon for the last 15-20 minutes.
Video
Notes
*If using dried beans, cover with 3-4 inches of water and soak overnight. Drain and boil for 1 hour until tender but not mushy. Drain and continue with the recipe.Tips:
To prevent splatter, cover the baking dish with foil for the first portion of baking time. Be sure to uncover the dish for the last 15-20 minutes though so that the bacon can crisp up.
Lay the bacon on top. Make sure you wait to add the bacon until everything is mixed. You'll layer it on top of the beans so it doesn't get soggy mixed into the sauce.
Play with flavor. Since you're making your own sauce, feel free to play around with the flavor of it. Want it extra spicy? Add more red pepper flakes. Prefer a sweeter sauce? Add more maple syrup.
Make vegetarian Baked Beans. Just leave out the bacon!
Storage:Leftover Maple Bacon Baked Beans will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then warm in the oven or on the stove until heated through.