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Savory Baked Beans with Brown Sugar and Crispy Bacon

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A simple, hearty baked beans recipe featuring smoky crispy bacon and sweet brown sugar, perfect for BBQs or cozy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups dried navy beans or great northern beans, soaked overnight
  • 6 to 8 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon mustard powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • About 3 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Place 1 ½ cups dried navy or great northern beans in a large bowl and cover with cold water by about 2 inches. Let soak overnight (at least 8 hours).
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 6-8 strips of thick-cut bacon until crispy (about 8 minutes). Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet.
  3. Add 1 finely chopped yellow onion to the bacon fat and cook over medium heat until translucent and soft (about 5 minutes). Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste, ½ teaspoon mustard powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and ½ cup packed dark brown sugar. Cook while stirring for 2 minutes to meld flavors and caramelize the sugar slightly.
  5. Drain soaked beans and rinse well. Add them to the skillet with the sautéed mixture and stir to coat.
  6. Pour in 3 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth and 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar. Season with salt and black pepper (start with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper). Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
  7. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Beans should be tender but not mushy. If liquid reduces too much, add a splash more water.
  8. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the bean mixture to an oven-safe baking dish. Crumble half the cooked bacon over the beans and stir gently.
  9. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, allowing the top to thicken and the flavors to concentrate.
  10. Remove from oven and sprinkle remaining crispy bacon on top for contrast. Let beans rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use thick-cut bacon for best crispiness. Soaking beans overnight improves texture and reduces cooking time. If sauce is too thin after baking, broil for 2-3 minutes to thicken and caramelize the top. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and use smoked paprika plus liquid smoke, sauté onions in olive oil.

Nutrition

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

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