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Savory Brown Sugar Bourbon Baked Beans with Crispy Bacon

savory brown sugar bourbon baked beans - featured image
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A rich and flavorful baked beans recipe combining brown sugar, bourbon, and crispy bacon for a smoky, sweet, and savory side dish perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups cooked Great Northern beans (or 2 cans, drained and rinsed)
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • ¼ cup bourbon
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, fry the chopped bacon until crispy, about 7-10 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels, reserving 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan.
  3. Add diced onion to the bacon fat and cook until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly.
  4. Stir in brown sugar, tomato paste, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes to thicken slightly.
  5. Carefully pour in the bourbon (it might flame briefly) and stir to combine. Allow to simmer for 1 minute to meld flavors and cook off some alcohol.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked beans, crispy bacon, and bourbon sauce mixture. Stir gently to coat evenly.
  7. Pour the mixture into an 8×8 inch oven-safe baking dish, spreading evenly.
  8. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until sauce bubbles and thickens with a slight caramelized edge.
  9. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

If beans look too dry during baking, add a splash of water or reserved bacon fat. For a deeper smoky flavor, add a few drops of liquid smoke or substitute smoked paprika with chipotle powder. Bacon and aromatics can be prepared a day ahead to save time. Vegetarian version: omit bacon and add smoked paprika or liquid smoke. Can be cooked stovetop by simmering gently for 45 minutes if short on oven time.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/savory-brown-sugar-bourbon-baked-beans-recipe-with-crispy-bacon-easy-and-perfect/