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Baked Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar

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A flavorful and comforting baked beans recipe featuring smoky bacon and rich brown sugar, perfect for family gatherings and easy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups cooked Great Northern beans (or navy beans), drained
  • 8 ounces thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (dark brown sugar preferred)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (about 150g)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon mustard (Dijon or yellow)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup water or bean cooking liquid
  • Optional: smoked paprika or chili powder for smoky or spicy flavor

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces. Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and cook the bacon slowly until crispy but not burnt, about 8–10 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, reserving the bacon fat in the pan.
  3. Add the finely chopped onion to the bacon fat and cook gently for 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked beans, cooked bacon, sautéed onion and garlic, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, and water or bean cooking liquid. Mix well to coat all the beans evenly.
  5. Taste the mixture and add smoked paprika or chili powder if desired for a smoky or spicy kick. Stir to combine.
  6. Pour the bean mixture into a greased oven-safe casserole dish or Dutch oven, spreading it out evenly.
  7. Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes until the sauce bubbles gently and thickens, and the top develops a caramelized sheen. Add a splash of water halfway through baking if the beans look too dry.
  8. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and sauce to thicken.

Notes

Cook bacon low and slow to render fat and avoid burning. Add apple cider vinegar last to brighten flavors. Monitor liquid during baking and add water if beans dry out. Beans taste better after resting or made a day ahead. Can be adapted for vegetarian by omitting bacon and adding smoked paprika or liquid smoke.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://pokirecipes.com/baked-beans-with-bacon-and-brown-sugar-easy-homemade-recipe-for-flavorful-comfort-food/