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Savory Brown Sugar Bourbon Baked Beans Recipe with Bacon and Onions Made Easy

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A rich, smoky, and slightly sweet baked beans recipe featuring bourbon, bacon, and caramelized onions. Perfect as a comforting side dish or a crowd-pleaser for gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups cooked navy beans (or two 15-ounce cans, drained and rinsed)
  • 6 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 large onion, finely diced
  • ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
  • ¼ cup bourbon
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cook the chopped bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
  3. Add diced onions to the hot bacon fat and cook until translucent and caramelized, about 7-9 minutes. Add minced garlic during the last minute of cooking.
  4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar, bourbon, ketchup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  5. Gently fold the cooked navy beans with the bacon, sautéed onions, and the bourbon sauce until evenly coated.
  6. Pour the mixture into a prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Cover loosely with foil.
  7. Bake for 40-45 minutes, stirring halfway through. If dry, add a teaspoon or two of water or bourbon.
  8. Remove foil and bake uncovered for the last 10 minutes to caramelize the top.
  9. Let the beans rest for 5 minutes before serving. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

If beans are too thick after baking, stir in a splash of water or broth to loosen. If too thin, bake uncovered a few more minutes. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and add smoked paprika or liquid smoke plus sautéed mushrooms. Use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce for gluten-free diet. Slow cooker adaptation: brown bacon and onions first, then cook on low 4-5 hours, adding bourbon last 30 minutes.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/savory-brown-sugar-bourbon-baked-beans-recipe-with-bacon-and-onions-made-easy/