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Savory Baked Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar

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A comforting and flavorful recipe combining smoky bacon, sweet brown sugar, and tender navy beans baked to perfection. Easy to prepare and perfect for casual gatherings or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Navy beans (or great northern beans), dry or canned (if dry, soak overnight)
  • 6 ounces thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • Optional: red pepper flakes or smoked paprika for heat

Instructions

  1. If using dry navy beans, soak them overnight in plenty of cold water (8-12 hours). Drain and rinse before cooking. If using canned beans, rinse well under cold water and set aside.
  2. Chop bacon into bite-sized pieces. Heat skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat and cook bacon until crispy but tender, about 7-10 minutes. Remove bacon with slotted spoon and set aside, leaving rendered fat in pan.
  3. Add chopped onion to bacon fat and cook over medium heat until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Add Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and water or broth. Stir to combine.
  5. Add beans and brown sugar to the pan. Stir gently to coat beans without breaking them.
  6. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Cover skillet or transfer to a casserole dish with lid. Bake for 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring every 30 minutes and adding water or broth if beans look dry.
  7. After baking, stir in cooked bacon pieces. Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes or smoked paprika.
  8. Let beans rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.

Notes

Cook bacon to medium crispy to avoid crumbling. Stir beans every 30 minutes during baking to prevent sticking. Adjust sweetness gradually and balance with vinegar or mustard if too sweet. Soaking dry beans overnight improves texture and reduces cooking time. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and use smoked paprika or liquid smoke.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, bacon, brown sugar, comfort food, easy recipe, savory beans, smoky, sweet, homemade

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/savory-baked-beans-with-bacon-and-brown-sugar-easy-homemade-recipe/