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Smoky Sweet Bourbon Baked Beans: Easy 5-Ingredient Recipe

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These Smoky Sweet Bourbon Baked Beans are thick, rich, and packed with warm bourbon depth. Made with just five ingredients and one pot, they’re the perfect side dish for barbecues, potlucks, and game days.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 28 oz (794 g) canned baked beans (preferably Bush’s Original)
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) bourbon (e.g., Bulleit or Maker’s Mark)
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Place a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy and fat is rendered (5-7 minutes). Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving fat in the pot.
  2. Sauté the onion: Add diced onion to the hot bacon fat. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent (3-4 minutes). Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom.
  3. Add the bourbon: Pour in bourbon and let it sizzle. Stir to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Cook for about 1 minute until alcohol smell fades.
  4. Add remaining ingredients: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add canned baked beans, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and Dijon mustard. Stir until well combined.
  5. Simmer: Bring to a gentle simmer over low heat. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon (20-25 minutes).
  6. Add bacon back: Stir in reserved crispy bacon, saving a tablespoon for garnish. Heat through for about 1 minute.
  7. Taste and adjust: Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or additional brown sugar or Worcestershire as needed.
  8. Serve: Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with reserved bacon and optional fresh parsley. Serve warm.

Notes

Don’t skip the bacon fat—it adds smoky richness. Use low heat for simmering to avoid burning the sugar. Let beans rest for 10-15 minutes before serving for best flavor. Can be made ahead and reheated. For a vegetarian version, skip bacon and add 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke and 1 tablespoon olive oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: bourbon baked beans, smoky baked beans, easy baked beans, 5-ingredient recipe, barbecue side dish, game day beans

Find it online: https://tablemira.com/smoky-sweet-bourbon-baked-beans-easy-5-ingredient-recipe/