Description
A hearty American classic combining smoky ground beef, sweet brown sugar, and tender navy beans. Vegetarian bacon or tempeh adds a deep, caramelized flavor, balancing savory and sweet notes for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
2 (15 oz) cans canned navy beans (or Great Northern), rinsed and drained
1 lb (450g) lean ground beef
6–8 slices smoked tempeh (or substitute for pork bacon)
1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup barbecue sauce, sweet and smoky
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp ground mustard (yellow or mustard powder)
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp cider vinegar
1 cup water or beef stock
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C)
Rinse and drain 2 cans of navy beans in a colander
Chop smoked tempeh into small cubes. Brown ground beef in a skillet; drain excess fat
In a bowl, combine navy beans with cooked beef, tempeh, diced onion, and minced garlic
Mix in brown sugar, mustard, tomato paste, cider vinegar, barbecue sauce, and beef stock until evenly distributed
Transfer to a large baking dish. Bake at 325°F (160°C) for 4 hours, stirring occasionally
Adjust seasonings as needed before serving
Notes
For a lighter version, substitute 100% ground turkey for the beef
Vegetarian bacon or smoked tempeh is used instead of pork to meet halal requirements
Add chopped carrots or celery for extra texture if desired
Serve warm as a main course with cornbread or as a side with grilled vegetables
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 240
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 1800mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 35mg