How to Make Bush’s Baked Beans from Scratch
Baked beans are a classic American side dish that has been a staple in many households for generations. Bush’s Baked Beans are a popular brand that has been around since 1912, and their recipe has remained largely unchanged over the years. However, making baked beans from scratch can be a fun and rewarding experience that allows you to control the ingredients and add your own personal touches. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making Bush’s Baked Beans from scratch.
Ingredients
Before we begin, let’s take a look at the ingredients you’ll need to make Bush’s Baked Beans from scratch:
- 1 pound dried navy beans, soaked overnight and drained
- 1 pound smoked bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons molasses (optional)
Step 1: Cooking the Beans
To start, you’ll need to cook the navy beans. Here’s how:
- Place the soaked and drained navy beans in a large pot and add enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 1-2 hours, or until the beans are tender.
- While the beans are cooking, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until it’s crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 2: Sautéing the Onions and Garlic
Once the beans are cooked, remove them from the pot and set them aside. In the same pot, add the chopped onion and cook until it’s softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Step 3: Adding the Bacon and Spices
Add the cooked bacon back into the pot and stir to combine with the onion and garlic mixture. Add the brown sugar, ground mustard, ground cumin, and ground cayenne pepper (if using) and stir to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the spices are fragrant.
Step 4: Adding the Ketchup, Water, and Molasses (if using)
Add the ketchup, water, and molasses (if using) to the pot and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the beans are coated in the sauce.
Step 5: Adding the Beans and Seasoning
Add the cooked navy beans back into the pot and stir to combine with the sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste, and stir to combine.
Step 6: Simmering the Beans
Reduce the heat to a simmer and let the beans cook for an additional 30-60 minutes, or until they’re tender and the sauce has thickened.
Tips and Variations
- To add a bit of sweetness to the beans, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup to the sauce.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch or flour to the sauce and stir to combine.
- To add some heat to the beans, you can add 1-2 teaspoons of hot sauce, such as Tabasco or Frank’s RedHot, to the sauce.
- To make the beans more flavorful, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley or thyme, to the sauce.
Table: Bush’s Baked Beans Recipe
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Dried navy beans | 1 pound |
| Smoked bacon | 1 pound |
| Onion | 1 |
| Garlic | 2 cloves |
| Ketchup | 1 cup |
| Water | 1 cup |
| Brown sugar | 2 tablespoons |
| Ground mustard | 1 teaspoon |
| Ground cumin | 1 teaspoon |
| Ground cayenne pepper (optional) | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Salt and pepper | to taste |
| Molasses (optional) | 2 tablespoons |
Conclusion
Making Bush’s Baked Beans from scratch is a fun and rewarding experience that allows you to control the ingredients and add your own personal touches. With this recipe, you can create a delicious and flavorful side dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re a fan of traditional baked beans or looking to try something new, this recipe is sure to please.
Additional Tips and Variations
- To make the beans more tender, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to the sauce.
- To make the beans more flavorful, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley or thyme, to the sauce.
- To make the beans more spicy, you can add 1-2 teaspoons of hot sauce, such as Tabasco or Frank’s RedHot, to the sauce.
- To make the beans more sweet, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup to the sauce.