Southern Style Baked Beans

Summertime in the South means getting together and grilling outdoors. Baked beans go along with just about any grilled menu you can have, as well as many other meals too. They are a common and favorite side dish at the Southern table! Now there are a couple of different ways to make baked beans. For this post, I'm going to start out with the classic Southern Style recipe. Then I'll share a few local favorite additions, that can give the beans a more personal touch from time to time.

 Printable Recipe 
Ingredients:

• 2 (28 oz.) cans of Baked Beans (I like to use 1 each of Bush's Country Style and Onion flavors.)
• 1/2 cup Diced Onion
• 1 tsp Minced Garlic
• 8 - 10 strips Bacon
• 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
• 2 Tbs Molasses (optional)
• Salt and Pepper

Method:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a rectangular baking dish with cooking spray. (A smaller pan, such as an 8 x 11, will give you a thicker layer of beans that won't dry out before the bacon is done. However, if you choose to add any of the extra meats listed below, you might need a bigger pan.) 

Chop 2 strips of the bacon and cook them in a small pot over medium high heat, stirring frequently. Once the bacon has begun to brown and the fat has started to render, stir in the diced onion, and season with salt and pepper. When the bacon is crisp and the onion has begun to caramelize, add in the minced garlic, and cook for just a moment more. Then remove the pan from the heat, and allow it to cool for a bit.  

In a large bowl, combine the 2 (undrained) cans of beans, brown sugar, and molasses (if using). Stir in the cooked bacon, onion, garlic, and as much of the drippings as you can. (You want to try and get ALL of that yummy flavor!)

Pour this mixture into the prepared baking dish and level out the top. Lay the remaining 6 - 8 strips of uncooked bacon across the top of the bean mixture, in a single layer. (It's okay to overlap the bacon a little bit, because it will shrink up as it cooks.)

Cook in the preheated oven, uncovered, until the bacon is done, the beans are bubbly, and the sauce has thickened. (Just don't let it dry out. It usually takes around an hour and a half. You might also want to turn the pan around, once the bacon starts to crisp up, so that it cooks evenly.)

Serves 6 - 8

Well, there you go. That was the classic recipe for Southern Style Baked Beans - but I would be amiss if I did not mention a few add-ins that are almost as common around here as the classic recipe. These additions work well one at a time, or even all teamed up. It's really your choice. Get creative. Mix it up. See what works best for you...

Optional Add-Ins:

• 1 or 2 Diced Jalapenos (Add in at the same time as the onion.)
• 1/2 pound Ground Beef (Brown it off with the chopped bacon. Try to use a leaner beef since you won't be draining it.)
• 4 - 6 Hot Dogs, sliced into half disks (Stir directly into the bowl mixture.)  

Enjoy!



Related posts that you might enjoy:

 Corn Salad 

 Greek Tomatoes 

 Gold Slaw (Coleslaw with Yellow Squash)