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Brown Sugar Baked Beans Recipe with Crispy Bacon

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A comforting and easy baked beans recipe featuring tender beans in a rich, caramelized brown sugar sauce with crispy bacon. Perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or cozy family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (about 2 cans, 15 oz / 425 g each) navy or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped (Applewood-smoked recommended)
  • ⅓ cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup (120 ml) ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) water or broth (optional, to loosen sauce)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cook the chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
  3. Add diced onion to the bacon fat in the skillet and cook until translucent and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, being careful not to burn it.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine the drained beans, cooked bacon, sautéed onions and garlic, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Stir gently but thoroughly to combine. Add ¼ cup water or broth if the mixture is too thick.
  5. Pour the mixture into an oven-safe baking dish, spreading it evenly.
  6. Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until the sauce bubbles and thickens and the top caramelizes slightly. Tent with foil if it starts to dry out or brown too quickly.
  7. Let the beans rest for about 10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken further.

Notes

Keep an eye on the beans in the last 10 minutes of baking; cover with foil if the top browns too quickly. Reserve some cooked bacon to sprinkle on top before serving for extra crispiness. Salt carefully as bacon adds saltiness naturally. Add water or broth after baking if sauce is too thick. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and add smoked paprika or liquid smoke.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, brown sugar baked beans, crispy bacon, comfort food, easy side dish, barbecue side, potluck recipe

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/brown-sugar-baked-beans-recipe-with-crispy-bacon-easy-and-delicious-comfort-food/