Saucy Stovetop Bacon Beans
- Level: Easy
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 6 servings
- Calories
- 345
- Total Fat
- 11
- Saturated Fat
- 3
- Carbohydrates
- 48
- Dietary Fiber
- 10
- Sugar
- 14
- Protein
- 17
- Cholesterol
- 15
- Sodium
- 1169
- Total: 35 min
- Active: 10 min
Ingredients
5 thick-cut slices bacon (140 grams)
1 medium yellow onion (190 grams), chopped
1 red bell pepper (200 grams), chopped
Kosher salt
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 to 2 tablespoons harissa
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
One 15-ounce (425 grams) can tomato sauce
1/4 cup (60 grams) molasses
2 tablespoons (30 grams) balsamic vinegar
1 cup low-sodium chicken stock or water
Two 15.5-ounce cans navy beans, rinsed and drained
Sliced scallions, for finishing
Cilantro leaves, for finishing
Directions
- Arrange the bacon in a large cast iron skillet or 3-quart braiser over medium heat. Cook, rendering the fat and crisping the bacon, about 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. When cool, roughly chop the bacon. Set aside.
- Leave the bacon grease in the pan and add the onion and bell pepper. Season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic, harissa, coriander, cumin, cayenne and cinnamon and stir to combine and toast until the spices are fragrant. Add the tomato sauce, molasses, vinegar, stock or water and half of the bacon. Season again with a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and reduce to a simmer. Stir in the beans. Simmer rapidly until thickened, about 15 minutes. Season to taste. To store, let beans come to room temperature and refrigerate in a covered container. You can make the beans up to 2 days in advance and just reheat.
- Sprinkle with the remaining bacon, the scallions and cilantro. Serve immediately.
Cook’s Note
To cook over an open fire at the lake, prepare a small, low fire or batch of hot coals. Set a metal grill rack or some other base directly over the fire to make a flat surface (so the oil doesn’t slosh out at any point) and cook as directed above in a heavy cast iron skillet.