When I was growing up there were baked beans served at every BBQ my parents hosted! I have memories of my Mom putting me in charge of opening the cans, putting them in a bowl and microwaving until warm. They were thick, creamy, and just the perfect softness.
Last year I decided to try and capture those childhood memories with a homemade version. I tried five different recipes and only one came close. When I went to make that same homemade baked beans recipe this year I was not impressed.
So I decided to start over. A combination of different sauces and different beans later I finally found the perfect, brings me back to my childhood with one spoonful, best homemade root beer baked beans ever!!
I am so excited to share my root beer baked beans recipe with you and the things I uncovered on how to get that just right texture and taste! The secret to those just right soft beans is to use small navy beans, and the secret behind getting that thick creamy sauce that the beans are in is to double the sauce ingredients. The root beer adds the perfect balance of sweetness to the spicy barbecue sauce! Who knew! 
Root Beer Baked Beans
Ingredients
- 6 slices of uncured thick sliced turkey bacon
- 3 cups onion-chopped
- 2 garlic cloves-minced
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 1½ cups dry navy beans=4½ cups cooked
- The Sauce:
- 1½ cups Root Beer
- 3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 Tablespoons molasses
- 3 Tablespoons bbq sauce-any type
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 Tablespoons dijon mustard
- salt and pepper to taste
- You will need to double the ingredients and place each batch of sauce in a separate bowl!
Instructions
- Soak navy beans in a pot with water that covers the beans overnight.
- The next day drain the beans, fill pot with fresh water and simmer on stove on medium heat until beans are tender.
- Drain and set aside.
- In a sauce pan fry the bacon until crispy, set on a plate. Crumble into bite sized pieces.
- Save the bacon grease and put the chopped onion and minced garlic in, saute until soften. Add 1 teaspoon butter as the onion cooks to help caramelize and flavor them.
- As they cook let’s create the sauce!! You are going to double the batch of sauce and place in two separate bowls!
- Mix together the root beer, apple cider vinegar, molasses, tomato paste, bbq sauce and dijon mustard. Salt and pepper to taste.
- In a pot combine the beans, bacon, onions and garlic, and the sauce. Simmer on low on the stove for 45 minutes.
- Transfer the beans to a crock pot and stir in the second batch of the sauce, stir well and cook on low for 4-6 hours!
- Enjoy these thick, creamy root beer baked beans!!
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