INGREDIENTS:
- 1 teaspoon canola oil
- 8 bacon slices
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon ground mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- One 8.5-ounce can limo beans, drained and rinsed
- Two 16-ounce cans pork and beans
- 1 cup ketchup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup apple cider
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat the oven to 300°F. Heat the canola oil in a large dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 4 slices of bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining bacon.
- Drain at least half of the bacon grease from the pan, then add the onions and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the jalapeno and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the ketchup, brown sugar, honey, apple cider, apple cider vinegar, ground ginger, ground mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, and stir until well combined. Add the bacon back to the pot, stir, and bring to a simmer over low heat.
- Add the lima beans and pork and beans, and gently stir to combine. Transfer to the oven and bake, uncovered, for 45 to 50 minutes, until the sauce is thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
Here are a few variations you can try to give the baked beans recipe a twist:
- Spicy BBQ Baked Beans: Add 1/4 cup of your favorite spicy BBQ sauce to the recipe for an extra kick. You can also sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or use a hotter type of chili pepper for added heat.
- Maple and Bacon Baked Beans: Replace the honey with maple syrup for a rich and slightly smoky flavor. Use maple-glazed bacon for an extra layer of sweetness and smokiness.
- Vegetarian Baked Beans: Skip the bacon and use smoked paprika to give the beans a smoky flavor. You can also add a mix of different beans like black beans, kidney beans, and navy beans for variety.
- Southern-style Baked Beans: Add a tablespoon of yellow mustard and a dash of liquid smoke for that classic Southern BBQ flavor.
- Hawaiian Baked Beans: Add pineapple chunks to the recipe for a tropical twist. The sweetness of the pineapple complements the savory flavors of the beans and bacon.
- Molasses and Molasses Baked Beans: Swap out the honey with molasses for a deeper, more robust sweetness. The molasses will give the beans a richer, almost caramel-like flavor.
- Smoky Chipotle Baked Beans: Add a couple of minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a smoky and spicy twist. This is perfect if you like a smoky, tangy flavor profile.
- Indian-inspired Baked Beans: Add some curry powder and ground cumin to give the beans an Indian flair. You can also add a touch of coconut milk for a creamy texture.
- Beer-infused Baked Beans: Replace a portion of the liquid (like apple cider or some of the water) with your favorite beer. The beer will add depth and complexity to the flavors of the dish.
- Balsamic Baked Beans: Add a splash of balsamic vinegar for a tangy, slightly sweet twist. This adds a gourmet touch to the classic baked beans recipe.
