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Savory Brown Sugar Baked Beans with Crispy Bacon

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A quick and easy baked beans recipe featuring sweet brown sugar and crispy bacon, perfect for BBQs and family dinners. This savory side dish balances smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors with minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 (15-ounce) cans navy beans, drained and rinsed
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon
  • ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the 8 slices of thick-cut bacon in a cold skillet over medium heat. Slowly render the fat, flipping occasionally, until crispy but not burnt (about 10-12 minutes). Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet.
  3. Add the finely chopped onion to the bacon fat and cook over medium heat until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, ketchup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until smooth.
  5. Add the drained navy beans and sautéed onion-garlic mixture to the bowl with the sauce. Crumble about two-thirds of the cooked bacon into the beans and stir gently to combine.
  6. Pour the bean mixture into an 8×8-inch oven-safe baking dish, spreading evenly.
  7. Bake uncovered for 45-60 minutes until the sauce bubbles, thickens, and caramelizes slightly on top. If it looks too dry during baking, stir gently and add a splash of water or broth.
  8. Once baked, sprinkle the reserved crispy bacon pieces on top and serve warm.

Notes

Render bacon slowly to avoid burnt bits and bitter flavor. Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly to avoid clumps of brown sugar. Rinse canned beans but do not soak to keep them intact. Add water or broth during baking if sauce thickens too much. Leftovers reheat best with a splash of water or broth to maintain texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, brown sugar baked beans, bacon baked beans, BBQ side dish, savory baked beans, easy baked beans recipe

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/savory-brown-sugar-baked-beans-with-crispy-bacon-easy-recipe-for-bbq-fans/