The Best Baked Beans Ever

I've always liked pork and beans or baked beans.  But I am embarrassed to say I didn't realize you have to dress up a plain can of pork and beans to make it taste good. Last summer some of Derek's family was over to our place after a 4th of July parade.  We didn't know they'd be coming so we decided to have hot dogs for lunch since we had enough for everyone.  I decided it'd be nice to have a side dish of pork and beans and opened up a can and warmed it up.  I was surprised that it did not taste good at all.  It wasn't until months later I realized it needed a little of this and that to make it yummy.


I came across this recipe and decided to try it. I halved the recipe not knowing how I'd like it after my last experience.  I made it and brought it to a party at my brothers.  It was a huge hit and everyone was dissapointed I didn't make more.  Finally I made yummy baked beans!  This recipe and is so simple and quick and is so amazing.  It's a great summer dish and goes well with about any bbq or picnic.  I'm happy that now I know how to make amazing baked beans and have learned a lot since last summer.

The Best Baked Beans Ever

Recipe adapted from The Pioneer Woman

Ingredients:

4 slices bacon

½ medium onion, cut into small dice

½ medium green pepper, cut into small dice

3 cans (16 ounces each) pork and beans

½ cup barbecue sauce

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons distilled or cider vinegar

1 teaspoon dry mustard or 1 tablespoon Dijon

Directions:

Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Cook bacon in large, deep sauté pan skillet until bacon is slightly crisp but not completely. Remove bacon from pan and drain on paper towels. Remove most of bacon grease only leaving about 1 tablespoon.  Add onions and peppers to drippings in pan and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add beans and remaining ingredients bring to a simmer. (If skillet is not large enough, add beans and heat to a simmer then transfer to a large bowl and stir in remaining ingredients). 


Pour flavored beans into a greased 11-by 7-inch (or similar size) ovenproof pan. Crumble bacon or cut into small pieces and place on top of beans.  Bake until beans are bubbly and sauce is the consistency of pancake syrup, about 1 hour. Let stand to thicken slightly and serve.