20 years? Already?
This year my husband and I celebrate our 20th anniversary. I think I’ve mentioned it before but we actually have two anniversaries. We got hitched by a Justice of the Peace in January of 1997. I needed health care and the military provided that for me when we made it legal. However, we wanted an actual wedding for our family and friends in a church and that came later in the year in September. I think anniversaries make you stop and think back about your time together over the years. It hasn’t always been easy (what marriage is?) but through it all, we’ve been partners in it together. 
Partner in crime
We have moved a bunch of times (courtesy of the military). We have been through devastating deaths in our families together. We’ve grown up together. We started a family together. We’ve weathered financial storms that brought us to our knees and made me give up hope. We’ve had scary health diagnoses. And yet, here we are.
He’s been my strength and safety net for as long as I can remember. He suffers through my moods and frustrations with a supportive, restrained strength. And he celebrates my triumphs and is always proud – and says so. He is a protector of our little family and I couldn’t be more grateful for him. In return, I cook him food that he loves. 😉 He’s a simple man like that and I wouldn’t have him any other way.
Root Beer Baked Beans
Gene loves baked beans! His favorite are my Virginia Baked Beans. But I wanted to take those up a notch by using more varieties of beans. This dish is super filling and you could even add cooked ground beef to this and make it a meal. My son loves it with sliced, cooked hot dogs. He and my husband are huge Beanie Weanie fans so hot dogs are always a must-make anytime we have baked beans. And the root beer flavor can’t really be tasted in these beans, but it adds a nice little sweetness and flavor in the background.
Ingredients:
1 tbsp oil
1 cup diced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 (15 oz) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 (15 oz) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2 (12 oz) bottles root beer (like IBC Root Beer)
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup ketchup
3 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tbsp. dijon mustard
2 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400f degrees. In a large dutch oven (or other oven-safe pot), heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook, stirring frequently, until just browned, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Stir in beans
Then add all the remaining ingredients.
Bring to a boil.
Transfer the pot (uncovered) to oven and bake for about 45 minutes until liquid thickens. Stir before serving.
Enjoy!
Root Beer Baked Beans
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 (15 oz) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 (12 oz) bottles root beer (like IBC Root Beer)
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400f degrees. In a large dutch oven (or other oven-safe pot), heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook, stirring frequently, until just browned, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Stir in beans
- Then add all the remaining ingredients.
- Bring to a boil.
- Transfer the pot (uncovered) to oven and bake for about 45 minutes until liquid thickens.
- Stir before serving.
Would it hurt to use Diet Root Beer? We need to keep the sugar count low in this household.
Hi Paul, nope it doesn’t hurt. Just make sure it is a root beer that you enjoy the taste of 🙂
I love what you said about your husband !i feel the same way about my husband!
My husband is ex-military and he is my everything!
He loves baked beans and I can wait to make this recipe for him. Thank you very much!
I goofed in my previous comment. I can not wait to make this. Sorry!
Can this be put in a slow cooker instead of the oven. And if so, how long would you suggest? Thanks.
Happy Anniversary!
I love Baked Beans! Thanks for sharing!
Thank goodness for good husbands who are willing to be thanked with yummy food. I love this idea and it would be perfect for our summer BBQs!
I’m going to take this to a bbq tomorrow!!!
Sounds delicious!!! I’ll let you know how it turns out!!!
Have a great time, hope everyone loves them!
Can you tell me how much a serving is? I’m diabetic and have to count carbs. Thanks.
Debbie – about a cup and a half. 🙂 That is just an estimate though.
Thanks so much! Cant wait to try!
Happy Anniversary ! 20years is a milestone. I made the beans yesterday and this recipe is a keeper ! I did use a crock pot and also added 4 slices of cooked chopped bacon, as hubs love bacon in his beans. Thank you so much for sharing,!, I love your site!
Yay!! Love hearing this! Thank you Crystal!
Have you tried this in an Instant Pot? If so, I am thinking
High pressure for 15 mins?