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Cozy Baked Beans Recipe Easy Homemade Restaurant Style for Dinner

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A simple, approachable baked beans dish with a perfect balance of sweetness, tang, and smoky flavor, made from scratch with pantry staples. Ideal for cozy dinners and quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 (15 oz / 425 g) cans navy beans, drained and rinsed (or great northern beans)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) low-sodium vegetable broth or water
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) tomato paste
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) molasses (unsulfured)
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped (optional)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or unsalted butter (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together tomato paste, molasses, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  5. Add the sautéed onions and garlic to the sauce mixture and stir to combine.
  6. In an oven-safe baking dish, gently fold the drained and rinsed navy beans with the sauce mixture. Add 1 cup (240 ml) vegetable broth or water to keep moist.
  7. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until the sauce bubbles and thickens slightly. Add a splash more broth halfway through if it looks dry.
  8. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  9. Optional: Broil for 2-3 minutes at the end for a crusty top, watching carefully to avoid burning.

Notes

Rinse canned beans to avoid excess salt and starch. Sautéing onions and garlic adds depth. Use molasses and apple cider vinegar for signature tang and sweetness. Stir halfway through baking for even sauce coating. Broil briefly for a crusty top if desired. Leftovers taste better the next day. Reheat gently with added broth if sauce thickens.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, cozy dinner, easy recipe, homemade, restaurant style, navy beans, vegetarian, vegan option, gluten-free

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/cozy-baked-beans-recipe-easy-homemade-restaurant-style-for-dinner/