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Flavorful Brown Sugar Bourbon Baked Beans Recipe with Crispy Bacon

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A quick and easy baked beans recipe with rich, smoky, and sweet flavors from brown sugar, bourbon, and crispy bacon, perfect for BBQs and crowd-pleasing gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound navy beans (about 450g), soaked overnight or quick-soaked
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • ¼ cup bourbon
  • 6–8 strips thick-cut bacon, cooked and chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons yellow or Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
  • 2 cups water or broth

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 pound (450g) of navy beans and soak them overnight in plenty of cold water (about 8-12 hours). For a quick soak, bring beans and water to a boil for 2 minutes, then cover and let sit for 1 hour. Drain and rinse before cooking.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook 6-8 strips of thick-cut bacon until crisp (about 8-10 minutes). Transfer to paper towels to drain, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet.
  3. Add 1 medium chopped onion to the bacon fat and cook over medium heat until translucent and slightly caramelized (about 5 minutes). Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, cooking until fragrant (30 seconds).
  4. Transfer soaked beans to a large pot or Dutch oven. Add sautéed onion and garlic, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons mustard, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, ¼ cup bourbon, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and 2 cups water or broth. Stir well to combine.
  5. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and sauce is thickened, about 45-60 minutes. Add water if the mixture gets too dry, but aim for a thick, glossy sauce.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the beans mixture to an oven-safe baking dish. Sprinkle chopped crispy bacon evenly on top.
  7. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and caramelized with crispy edges.
  8. Let the beans rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and thicken further.

Notes

If using canned navy beans, reduce simmering time and add beans towards the end before baking. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and use smoked paprika or liquid smoke. Substitute bourbon with apple juice or additional broth for alcohol-free version. Stir beans every 10 minutes while simmering to prevent sticking. Add water or broth if sauce thickens too much during cooking.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://tablemira.com/flavorful-brown-sugar-bourbon-baked-beans-recipe-with-crispy-bacon-easy-and-perfect-for-bbqs/