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Savory Bourbon Bacon Baked Beans Recipe Easy for a Crowd

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A comforting and flavorful baked beans recipe featuring smoky bacon and a subtle warmth from bourbon, perfect for parties and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups cooked navy beans (or about 2 cans, drained and rinsed)
  • 8 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup bourbon
  • ¼ cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt to taste (start with 1 teaspoon)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
  3. Add the diced onion to the bacon fat and cook until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Carefully pour the bourbon into the pan and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to cook off the harsh alcohol edge but keep the flavor.
  5. In your ovenproof dish or Dutch oven, add the cooked navy beans, sautéed bacon, onions, and garlic. Stir in brown sugar, Dijon mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Mix thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
  6. Cover the dish with a lid or foil and bake for about 1 hour, stirring halfway through. The beans should be tender, the sauce thickened, and the flavors well blended. For a thicker sauce, remove the lid for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
  7. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed before serving.

Notes

If beans seem dry during baking, add a splash of water or extra bourbon to keep moist. Prepare early for best flavor as it tastes better after resting for a few hours. Adjust salt at the end to avoid over-salting. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and add smoked paprika or liquid smoke and sautéed mushrooms.

Nutrition

Keywords: bourbon baked beans, bacon baked beans, party side dish, smoky baked beans, easy baked beans recipe

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