EASY, HEALTHY, REFINED SUGAR-FREE HOMEMADE BAKED BEANS

Ingredients:

Sauce:

• 1 cup no-added sugar ketchup
• ½ cup coconut sugar
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 3 tablespoons molasses
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• ¾ cup chicken bone broth

Beans:

• 2 (15.5 oz) cans navy beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15.5 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15.5 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 4 slices bacon, large diced
• ½ large onion, small diced
• 1 bell pepper, small diced
• Arrowroot slurry (optional, see Notes)

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Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F.

2. Prepare the Sauce:
   In a bowl, combine the sauce ingredients: ketchup, coconut sugar, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, molasses, yellow mustard, and chicken bone broth. Stir until everything is well mixed.

3. Drain and Rinse the Beans:
   Drain and gently rinse all four cans of beans.

4. Cook the Bacon:
   Heat a Dutch oven or other oven-safe pot over medium-low heat. Add the diced bacon and cook until browned on one side (about 3-4 minutes). Stir and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the bacon is evenly browned.

5. Cook Onions and Peppers:
   Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes, until softened.

6. Add Beans and Sauce:
   Stir in the rinsed beans and the prepared sauce. Mix gently to ensure everything is well combined.

7. Bake the Beans:
   Cover the Dutch oven with a lid and bake for 60 minutes.

8. Optional Arrowroot Slurry:
   If you want a thicker consistency for the beans, make an arrowroot slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of arrowroot starch with 3 tablespoons of water. Once you remove the beans from the oven, stir in the slurry to thicken the sauce to your liking.

9. Serve and Enjoy:
   Remove from the oven, serve, and enjoy!

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Notes:

• Arrowroot Slurry: This is optional, but it helps thicken the sauce if you prefer a heartier, thicker texture. Mix it in right after removing the beans from the oven.
• Flavor Tip: For a bit more spice, you could add a pinch of chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture before baking.

Serving Ideas:

• Serve these beans as a side dish with BBQ ribs, grilled chicken, or burgers.
• You could also pair them with roasted vegetables or enjoy them on their own for a hearty, comforting dish.