Mom's Barbecued Baked Beans

Mom's Barbecued Baked Beans Recipe - USA

Region / culture: USA | Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 50 minutes | Servings: 8

Introduction

Mom's Barbecued Baked Beans is a classic comfort food dish that is perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or barbecues. This recipe combines the rich flavors of baked beans with a tangy and sweet barbecue sauce, creating a dish that is sure to please everyone at the table.

History

This recipe has been passed down through generations in my family, with each cook adding their own twist to make it their own. The combination of savory bacon, sweet brown sugar, tangy mustard, and rich cheddar cheese creates a unique flavor profile that is both comforting and satisfying.

Ingredients

4 cans of vegetarian baked beans
1 large vidalia onion
1 lb (454 g) turkey bacon
4 tsp dried minced garlic
2 cups ketchup
1 cup chili sauce
0.25 cup mustard
0.25 cup apple cider vinegar
0.5 cup brown sugar
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 tbsp fresh ground pepper
3 tsp salt (to taste)
3 tbsp olive oil

How to prepare

Saute the bacon in olive oil until it becomes very crispy. Remove the bacon and let it drain, but keep the oil in the pan.
Chop the onion and saute it in the olive oil until it turns dark brown.
Crumble the bacon.
In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients except the beans and simmer on low heat until the cheese melts completely.
Thoroughly rinse and drain the beans.
Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish.
Pour the sauce over the beans and gently fold it in until the beans are completely coated.
Cover the dish and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
Remove the cover and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes.

Variations

For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and add in extra vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms.
For a spicier version, add in some diced jalapenos or a dash of hot sauce.
For a sweeter version, increase the amount of brown sugar or add in some maple syrup.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to cook the bacon until it is very crispy to add a crunchy texture to the dish.

- Sauteing the onions until they are dark brown will bring out their natural sweetness and add depth of flavor to the dish.

- Simmering the sauce on low heat allows the flavors to meld together and creates a rich and flavorful base for the beans.

Serving Suggestions

Mom's Barbecued Baked Beans are delicious on their own as a side dish, but can also be served over hot dogs or burgers for a tasty twist.

Cooking Techniques

Be sure to rinse and drain the beans thoroughly to remove any excess salt or preservatives.

- Covering the casserole dish while baking helps to lock in moisture and prevent the beans from drying out.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have turkey bacon, you can use regular bacon or even ham.

- If you don't have chili sauce, you can use extra ketchup or barbecue sauce.

Make Ahead Tips

Mom's Barbecued Baked Beans can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat in the oven before serving.

Presentation Ideas

Serve Mom's Barbecued Baked Beans in a decorative casserole dish and garnish with fresh parsley or chives for a pop of color.

Pairing Recommendations

Mom's Barbecued Baked Beans pair well with grilled meats, cornbread, coleslaw, or a fresh green salad.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Leftover Mom's Barbecued Baked Beans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Mom's Barbecued Baked Beans contains approximately 300 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Mom's Barbecued Baked Beans contains approximately 45 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Mom's Barbecued Baked Beans contains approximately 12 grams of fat.

Proteins

Each serving of Mom's Barbecued Baked Beans contains approximately 10 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

Mom's Barbecued Baked Beans are a good source of vitamin C, iron, and calcium.

Alergens

This recipe contains dairy (cheddar cheese) and soy (from the ketchup and chili sauce).

Summary

Mom's Barbecued Baked Beans are a hearty and satisfying dish that is rich in carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. They are a good source of vitamins and minerals, but may not be suitable for those with dairy or soy allergies.

Summary

Mom's Barbecued Baked Beans are a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for any occasion. With a rich and flavorful sauce, crispy bacon, and gooey cheddar cheese, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy!

How did I get this recipe?

I distinctly remember the first time I saw this recipe for Mom's Barbecued Baked Beans. It was a hot summer day back in 1965, and my own mother had invited our neighbors over for a backyard BBQ. As the scents of grilled meat and sizzling vegetables wafted through the air, my mother emerged from the kitchen carrying a large dish of baked beans. The aroma of smoky bacon and sweet molasses filled the air, and I knew I had to learn how to make them myself.

I watched as my mother mixed together the ingredients in a large mixing bowl: canned baked beans, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. She then added in some diced onions, green peppers, and crispy bacon pieces before pouring the mixture into a casserole dish. As she popped it into the oven, I couldn't wait to taste the finished product.

When the timer went off and my mother pulled the dish out of the oven, the beans were bubbling and golden brown on top. The smell was intoxicating, and I knew I had to learn how to make them myself. I asked my mother for the recipe, and she smiled and handed me a handwritten card with the ingredients and instructions.

Over the years, I made Mom's Barbecued Baked Beans for countless family gatherings and potlucks. They became a staple at our summer BBQs, and everyone always raved about how delicious they were. But as much as I loved making them, I wanted to put my own twist on the recipe and make it truly my own.

One day, while shopping at the local farmer's market, I came across a stand selling homemade BBQ sauces. Intrigued, I struck up a conversation with the vendor, an elderly woman named Mrs. Jenkins. She told me that she had been making her own BBQ sauce for over fifty years and that it was a closely guarded family secret. Intrigued, I asked her if she would be willing to share her recipe with me.

Mrs. Jenkins smiled and agreed, telling me that she saw a spark in my eyes that reminded her of herself when she was a young woman. She invited me to her home for a cooking lesson, where she showed me how to make her famous BBQ sauce from scratch. I watched as she mixed together tomato paste, vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and a secret blend of spices until the sauce was thick and fragrant.

As we sat down to taste the sauce, I couldn't believe how delicious it was. The perfect balance of sweet and tangy, with a hint of smokiness that lingered on the palate. Mrs. Jenkins chuckled at my wide-eyed expression and handed me a handwritten card with the recipe.

Inspired by Mrs. Jenkins' generosity, I decided to incorporate her BBQ sauce into my own recipe for Mom's Barbecued Baked Beans. I swapped out the ketchup for the homemade sauce, added in some extra spices like paprika and cayenne pepper, and let the flavors meld together in the oven for an extra hour.

When I pulled the dish out of the oven and served it to my family, they were blown away by the depth of flavor and complexity of the dish. The beans were smoky and sweet, with a hint of heat that lingered on the tongue. My husband declared them the best baked beans he had ever tasted, and my children asked for seconds and thirds.

From that day on, Mom's Barbecued Baked Beans became a family favorite, passed down from generation to generation. I shared the recipe with friends and neighbors, who in turn shared it with their own loved ones. And as I sit here today, writing this story, I can't help but smile at the memories of that hot summer day in 1965, when I first saw the recipe that would become a beloved family tradition.