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Easy Smoky BBQ Baked Beans Recipe with Crispy Bacon for Perfect Summer BBQs

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A quick and easy smoky BBQ baked beans recipe featuring crispy bacon, perfect as a flavorful side for summer BBQs and weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) canned navy beans, drained and rinsed
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) smoky and tangy BBQ sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Salt, to taste
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Optional: a few dashes hot sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet.
  3. In the same skillet with reserved bacon fat, add the diced onion and cook over medium heat until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine BBQ sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, smoked paprika, ground mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce (if using), and hot sauce (if desired). Whisk until smooth and well combined.
  5. Add the drained and rinsed navy beans to the bowl with the sauce. Stir in the sautéed onions and garlic, and about half of the crispy bacon bits. Mix gently but thoroughly to coat the beans without mashing them.
  6. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish or skillet and spread evenly.
  7. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until the sauce thickens and bubbles around the edges.
  8. Sprinkle the remaining crispy bacon on top and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes to crisp the bacon topping.
  9. Remove from oven and let the beans rest for 5 minutes to allow the sauce to set.
  10. Serve warm alongside grilled meats, cornbread, or as desired.

Notes

If the sauce is too thick before baking, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it. Be careful not to over-stir the beans to keep them whole. Letting the beans rest after baking improves texture and flavor. For vegetarian version, substitute bacon with smoked tempeh or mushrooms and add liquid smoke.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ baked beans, smoky baked beans, baked beans with bacon, summer BBQ side, easy baked beans recipe, crispy bacon baked beans

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