Introduction
Georgia-style baked beans are a Southern favorite, slow-cooked with brown sugar, smoky bacon, and a touch of tangy barbecue sauce. This hearty side is perfect for cookouts, holidays, or weeknight dinners.
⏱️ Prep Time
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 2–3 hours (slow-cooker) or 45–50 minutes (oven)
- Total Time: 2–3 hours
🧰 Equipment
- Slow cooker or oven-safe casserole dish
- Skillet
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
📝 Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
- 4 cups cooked navy beans or 2 (15 oz) cans baked beans, drained
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1 cup barbecue sauce for extra smoky flavor
📌 Ingredient Notes
- Beans: Canned or homemade navy beans work; adjust liquid if needed.
- Bacon: Adds smoky richness; substitute smoked sausage for variation.
- Sweeteners: Brown sugar and molasses create that classic Southern sweetness.
👩🍳 Instructions
Stovetop / Oven Version
- Cook Bacon & Onion
- In a skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp.
- Add onion and sauté until translucent.
- Combine Ingredients
- In a large oven-safe dish or pot, combine beans, bacon-onion mixture, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Stir well to combine.
- Bake / Simmer
- Oven: Cover and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45–50 minutes, stirring halfway.
- Slow Cooker: Cook on low 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Serve
- Garnish with extra cooked bacon or chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot.
🧾 Nutrition Facts (Approx. per ½ cup serving)
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Protein: 7 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fat: 7 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
💡 Tips
- For deeper flavor, cook on low heat longer in a slow cooker.
- Adjust sweetness or tanginess to taste with extra brown sugar or mustard.
- For thicker beans, mash a few beans slightly before cooking.
🔄 Variations
- Spicy Georgia Beans: Add ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
- BBQ Style: Stir in 1 cup smoky barbecue sauce at the end.
- Vegetarian: Omit bacon and add smoked paprika or liquid smoke.
- Cheesy Baked Beans: Sprinkle shredded cheddar on top before serving.
