Granny Fearing’S Kentucky Baked Beans

These Kentucky-style baked beans are a southern comfort food staple, blending sweet molasses and brown sugar with tangy ketchup and sharp mustard. The addition of sweet gherkin pickle juice provides a unique zesty kick that cuts through the richness. Slow-baked until tender and glossy, these beans are topped with crispy smoked bacon for a perfect balance of textures. Ideal for potlucks, backyard barbecues, or a hearty side dish for a family dinner, they improve in flavor as they sit. Simple to prepare yet packed with deep, savory-sweet flavors, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser that delivers authentic home-style satisfaction.

Cooking Method: Baking, Smoking

Cuisine: Southern

Courses: Side Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 6

Calories: 1906.1

Dietary: Gluten-free

Description

These Kentucky-style baked beans are a southern comfort food staple, blending sweet molasses and brown sugar with tangy ketchup and sharp mustard. The addition of sweet gherkin pickle juice provides a unique zesty kick that cuts through the richness. Slow-baked until tender and glossy, these beans are topped with crispy smoked bacon for a perfect balance of textures. Ideal for potlucks, backyard barbecues, or a hearty side dish for a family dinner, they improve in flavor as they sit. Simple to prepare yet packed with deep, savory-sweet flavors, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser that delivers authentic home-style satisfaction.

Ingredients

21 ounce Can pork and beans
1 lg Onion -- finely chopped
12 ounce Heinz ketchup
1 tablespoon Yellow mustard
1 1/8 cup Light brown sugar -- packed
1/8 cup Molasses
1/8 cup Heinz sweet gherkin pickle
1 teaspoon Apple cider vinegar
to taste Salt
to taste Ground black pepper
1/2 lb Smoked bacon -- thickly Sliced

Directions

1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2
Reserve the juice from the jar of sweet gherkin pickles.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the can of pork and beans, finely chopped onion, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, molasses, reserved gherkin juice, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper.
4
Stir the mixture thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended.
5
Pour the bean mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish or baking pan.
6
Arrange the thickly sliced smoked bacon strips over the top of the beans in a crisscross pattern.
7
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
9
Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the bacon is crisp.
10
Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6

Amount Per Serving
Calories 1906.1kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 74.1g114%
Saturated Fat 26.3g132%
Cholesterol 420.0mg140%
Sodium 5320.1mg222%
Total Carbohydrate 158.4g53%
Dietary Fiber 1.7g7%
Sugars 140.4g
Protein 144.3g289%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Storage: These baked beans can be prepared up to one day in advance. Cover and refrigerate. To serve, warm in a 350 degree F oven for no more than 20 minutes.

Serving: Serve hot straight from the oven, or allow to cool and serve cold. They are equally delicious at room temperature.

Substitutions: If you cannot find sweet gherkin pickles, regular dill pickle juice can be used, though it will impart a different flavor profile.

Keywords: baked beans, kentucky beans, southern side dish, bbq side, potluck recipe, bacon beans, molasses beans, sweet and savory, comfort food, slow baked, pork and beans, granny fearing

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/granny-fearings-kentucky-baked-beans/