Cast Iron

Cast-Iron-Skillet Baked Beans

September 16, 2011
5
1 Ratings
  • Serves 10 to 12
Author Notes

Based on The Pioneer Woman's recipe, these barbecue baked beans have plenty of bacon and are served in a cast-iron skillet, which makes any dish look impressive. See the full post at http://themessyepicure.com/2011/09/05/cast-iron-skillet-baked-beans/. —MessyEpicure

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Ingredients
  • 11 bacon strips, divided
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, seeded and diced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 5 (15.5-oz.) cans navy or pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup sweet, tomato-based barbecue sauce (Western North Carolina-style)
  • 1/2 cup mustard-based barbecue sauce (South Carolina-style), or 1/4 cup cider vinegar plus 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup sorghum syrup
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 325°.
  2. Cut 8 of the bacon strips in half and cook in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat until most of the fat has rendered out but the bacon has not started to brown, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the pan and drain on a layer of paper towels.
  3. Dice the remaining 3 bacon strips, increase the heat to medium, and cook, stirring often, until browned and crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the onion, bell pepper, and salt, and season to taste with freshly ground black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and beginning to brown, 7 to 10 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients, stir to combine, and cook until the liquid comes to a simmer.
  4. Arrange the partially cooked bacon half-strips on top of the beans and bake for 90 minutes or until the bacon on top is crisp and the sauce is thick and sticky.

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2 Reviews

Wagner January 6, 2017
do you cook with the bacon fat...?
Jason H. January 6, 2017
Yep! Just leave it in the pan after you remove the bacon strips.