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Savory Brown Sugar Baked Beans with Smoky Bacon

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A deliciously sweet and smoky baked beans recipe featuring brown sugar and crispy smoky bacon, perfect for BBQs and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups dried Great Northern beans or navy beans (or 4 cups canned, drained and rinsed)
  • 6–8 slices smoky bacon, chopped
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Salt, to taste
  • About 2 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  1. If using dried beans, rinse 2 cups under cold water and soak overnight in about 8 cups of water. Drain and rinse before cooking. If using canned beans, drain and rinse thoroughly.
  2. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook chopped smoky bacon for 6-8 minutes until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving rendered fat in the pot.
  3. Add finely chopped onion to the bacon fat and cook for 5-6 minutes until translucent and slightly caramelized. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in tomato paste, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika. Cook for 2 minutes to combine flavors.
  5. Add soaked or canned beans back into the pot. Pour in about 2 cups of water or chicken broth to just cover the beans and stir.
  6. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and cover with lid slightly ajar. Simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours for dried beans, stirring occasionally and adding water if needed. For canned beans, simmer about 30 minutes until sauce thickens.
  7. Stir in crispy bacon and brown sugar. Cook uncovered for another 10 minutes to caramelize sugar and marry flavors.
  8. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, adjusting gradually.
  9. Let beans rest off heat for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Soak dried beans overnight for best texture. Use thick-cut bacon for extra crunch. Add brown sugar at the end to avoid burning. Simmer gently to prevent beans from splitting. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and add liquid smoke and extra smoked paprika.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://hungermind.com/savory-brown-sugar-baked-beans-with-smoky-bacon-easy-recipe-for-bbq-fans/