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Savory Brown Sugar Bourbon Baked Beans Recipe with Crispy Bacon

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A rich and comforting side dish featuring navy beans baked with a sweet bourbon-brown sugar glaze and crispy thick-cut bacon, perfect for BBQs and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cans (15 oz each) navy beans, drained and rinsed
  • 8 ounces thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cook the bacon: Chop 8 ounces thick-cut bacon into small pieces. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook until crispy, about 8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
  3. Sauté the aromatics: Add 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped, to the bacon fat. Cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in 3 cloves garlic, minced, cooking for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Make the sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup bourbon, 1/2 cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir until well combined.
  5. Combine beans and sauce: Add rinsed and drained navy beans to the skillet with onions and garlic. Pour sauce over beans and stir gently to coat everything evenly.
  6. Transfer to baking dish: Move the bean mixture to a 2-quart oven-safe baking dish or Dutch oven. Sprinkle the cooked bacon pieces evenly over the top.
  7. Bake uncovered: Place in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, stirring halfway through. The sauce should thicken and bubble, coating the beans beautifully.
  8. Finishing touches: Let the beans rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and sauce to thicken.

Notes

If beans seem dry during baking, add a few tablespoons of water or extra bourbon to keep moist. Stir gently halfway through baking to avoid mashing beans. For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and add smoked paprika and liquid smoke. Use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and ketchup for gluten-free diet. Bacon can be cooked ahead and refrigerated. Substitute bourbon with apple juice and vanilla extract for non-alcoholic version.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, bourbon baked beans, brown sugar baked beans, bacon baked beans, BBQ side dish, savory baked beans, potluck recipe

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