Country-Style Baked BeansPhoto byGin Lee

Country-Style Baked Beans

Spring has finally arrived, and that can only mean one thing: It's time to fire up the grill and enjoy our favorite outdoor meals. And what better way to complement those grilled favorites than with a delicious side dish? Look no further than my recipe for country-style baked beans! This dish pairs perfectly with grilled meats, BBQ, and even grilled potato wedges. For those looking to simplify the recipe, canned navy beans, baked beans, or pork and beans can be used.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup navy beans, soaked overnight and drained
• 4 cups of water
• 1/2 cup of sugar-free ketchup or regular
• 1/4 cup of Splenda brown sugar blend or regular brown sugar
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup diced bacon
• 1 tablespoon of mustard
• 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon of chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

Place the soaked navy beans in a large saucepan with 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low. Cover with a lid and simmer for 1 hour.

Drain the beans after simmering and reserve the liquid.

In a mixing bowl, combine the beans with sugar-free ketchup (or regular ketchup), Splenda brown sugar blend (or regular brown sugar), onion, bacon, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Add enough reserved liquid to cover the beans and mix well.

Pour the mixture into a baking dish and spread it out evenly.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

Remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.

Enjoy your delicious country-style baked beans with your favorite grilled foods!