Print

Savory Baked Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar

savory baked beans with bacon and brown sugar - featured image
Print Recipe

A comforting and flavorful baked beans recipe combining smoky bacon and sweet brown sugar for a perfect sweet and smoky flavor. Ideal for potlucks, BBQs, or cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 (28-ounce) cans navy beans or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup cooked bacon, chopped (preferably thick-cut)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed (dark brown sugar preferred)
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Optional: 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cook the chopped bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside on paper towels. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan.
  3. In the same skillet with bacon fat, sauté chopped onions for 5-7 minutes until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together brown sugar, ketchup, molasses, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add cayenne pepper if using.
  5. Add drained beans, cooked bacon, and sautéed onion-garlic mixture to the sauce. Stir gently until well coated.
  6. Transfer the mixture evenly to a baking dish (around 9×13 inches). Cover tightly with aluminum foil or a lid.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove foil about 10 minutes before the end to allow the top to caramelize and thicken slightly.
  8. Let the beans cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

If sauce is too thin before baking, simmer on stove to thicken. Keep an eye on beans when uncovered to avoid burning. Use thick-cut bacon for best texture and flavor. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and use smoked paprika and liquid smoke, sauté onions in olive oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, bacon, brown sugar, savory beans, smoky beans, potluck recipe, BBQ side dish, comfort food

Find it online: https://avabowls.com/savory-baked-beans-with-bacon-and-brown-sugar-easy-recipe-for-perfect-sweet-and-smoky-flavor/