In the pre-union days of railroading, when a trainman left for a run he carried food to last two weeks – since he never knew when he’d get home again! Dried beans were relatively light and easy to carry, which made them a quick hit among train conductors, railmen, and passengers alike.
Since the late 1800s, this baked bean recipe has been passed down through our family for generations. Known for its hearty ingredients, our boxcar baked beans are sure to be a welcome addition to any family barbeque, holiday dinner, reunion, or even a football tailgate.
Ingredients
- 3 large cans (28 ounces each) pork and beans
- 1 chopped onion
- 1 chopped green pepper
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 to 1 cup tomato ketchup
- A dash of Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons prepared mustard
- 6 slices of crisp cooked bacon
- 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
While commonly prepared using a crockpot, for an extra element of authenticity try cooking these baked beans in a seasoned cast iron Dutch oven.
Directions
Step 1 – Fry the Bacon
Fry bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat 4 minutes or until crisp. Remove bacon from skillet and drain on paper towels.
Step 2 – Chop the Onion
Using a seasoned cutting board, cut about 1/2-inch from the top of the stem end of the onion with a sharp chef’s knife. Flip the onion around and make a shallow cut off the root end, cutting off the stringy roots, but leaving the hard root core intact. Cut the onion in half, peel back the onion skin, then make lengthwise cuts, angled toward the center of the onion. Once you are finished making angled lengthwise cuts, make cross-wise cuts and finish chopping the onion.
Step 3 – Chop the Green Pepper
On the cutting board, cut off the bottom of the pepper and then cut into the top of the pepper, going around the stem. Give the stem a gentle twist and pull, and it will pop out with the seeds and insides attached. Cut the pepper in half, then make lengthwise cuts, angled toward the center of the pepper. Once you are finished making angled lengthwise cuts, make cross-wise cuts and finish chopping the pepper.
Step 4 – Mix the Beans and Ingredients
In a large crockpot (or Dutch oven), add the pork and beans, chopped onion, chopped green pepper, molasses, brown sugar, tomato ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, prepared mustard, and liquid smoke. Mix well, then top the beans with the slices of cooked bacon.
Step 5 – Cook the Boxcar Baked Beans
Once mixed in the crockpot, let simmer on medium for 4-6 hours. Let stand to thicken slightly and serve.
