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Flavorful Brown Sugar Bourbon Baked Beans Recipe with Crispy Bacon Easy and Best

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A comforting baked beans recipe infused with bourbon and brown sugar, topped with crispy bacon for a perfect sweet and smoky flavor. Ideal for gatherings and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups canned navy beans or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup bourbon (e.g., Jim Beam)
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 medium onion, diced fine
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • 1/4 cup water or broth

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place bacon strips in a cold skillet and cook over medium heat, turning occasionally, until crisp and golden, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool. Once cooled, crumble roughly, leaving some larger pieces for texture.
  3. Drain most of the bacon fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan. Add diced onion and cook over medium heat until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and smoked paprika, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, bourbon, ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Stir well until sugar dissolves slightly.
  5. In a baking dish, add drained beans, sautéed onion and garlic mixture, crumbled bacon (reserve a small handful for topping), and pour the sauce over everything. Add 1/4 cup water or broth and gently stir to combine, being careful not to mash the beans.
  6. Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until sauce thickens and beans are tender.
  7. About 10 minutes before baking ends, sprinkle reserved crispy bacon on top to warm and crisp up.
  8. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to thicken further. Serve warm.

Notes

Crisp bacon separately to maintain crunch. Use good-quality bourbon for best flavor. If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water or broth. Avoid mashing beans to keep texture. Can be made gluten-free with gluten-free ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. Leftovers taste better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, bourbon baked beans, brown sugar baked beans, crispy bacon, comfort food, easy side dish, BBQ side, smoky baked beans

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