Root Beer Beans (Print Version)
Ingredients:
01 -
2 cups dried navy beans.
02 -
6 cups chicken or vegetable broth, or water (plus extra if needed).
03 -
4 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked to a crisp and chopped.
04 -
1 small onion, finely chopped (around 3/4 cup).
05 -
1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced.
06 -
2 garlic cloves, minced.
07 -
1 cup quality root beer.
08 -
1/3 cup ketchup.
09 -
1/3 cup barbecue sauce.
10 -
1/4 cup maple syrup.
11 -
2 tablespoons brown sugar.
12 -
2 tablespoons molasses.
13 -
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard.
14 -
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce.
15 -
3/4 teaspoon salt.
16 -
3/4 teaspoon chili powder.
17 -
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black black pepper.
Instructions:
01 -
Rinse and sort the navy beans, then place them in a large pot or bowl. Cover the beans with water, ensuring it’s about 3 inches above the beans. Soak overnight, then drain. Alternatively, if short on time, place the beans in a pot, cover with several inches of water, and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let soak for 1 hour, then drain.
02 -
In a large, oven-safe pot, add the soaked and drained beans with 6 cups of broth or water. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 1 hour.
03 -
In a separate pan, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon, leaving the fat in the pan, and set the bacon aside.
04 -
Sauté the chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic in the bacon fat until softened and starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
05 -
Mix the sauce by whisking together the root beer, ketchup, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, maple syrup, molasses, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and chili powder in a bowl. Set aside.
06 -
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
07 -
Combine the simmered beans, their liquid, the sautéed onion mixture, the chopped bacon, and the prepared sauce in the large pot. Stir everything together well.
08 -
Cover the pot with an oven-safe lid and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, stir, reduce the oven temperature to 300°F, and bake uncovered for another hour. Finally, replace the lid, reduce the oven temperature to 250°F, and bake for an additional 2 hours or until the beans are tender. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed, and add extra broth or water if the mixture becomes too thick. Serve warm and enjoy!.
Notes:
01 -
This version of baked beans is a delightful combination of the sweet and unique taste of root beer with the savory flavor of bacon and spices, perfect for any occasion.