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Savory Loaded Baked Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar

savory loaded baked beans with bacon and brown sugar - featured image
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A quick and easy baked beans recipe featuring smoky bacon and sweet brown sugar, perfect for BBQs and gatherings. This dish balances sweet and savory flavors with a rich, caramelized sauce and crispy bacon bits.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cans (15 oz / 425 g each) canned navy beans or great northern beans
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) yellow mustard
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) water

Instructions

  1. Chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until crisp, about 8 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pan.
  2. Add chopped onion to the bacon drippings and cook over medium heat until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. In a bowl, combine brown sugar, ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, and water. Stir until smooth.
  4. Drain and rinse the canned beans lightly. Add beans to the skillet with onions and garlic. Pour the sauce mixture over the beans and stir gently to coat evenly.
  5. Fold the cooked bacon pieces into the bean mixture. Transfer everything into an oven-safe baking dish or Dutch oven, spreading evenly.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the beans uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring halfway through. The sauce should thicken and become sticky with a caramelized crust on top.
  7. Taste and add salt if needed. Let the beans rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Cook bacon to crispy perfection for best texture. Stir beans gently during baking to avoid mashing. Use packed brown sugar for consistent sweetness. Apple cider vinegar balances sweetness and prevents heaviness. If sauce dries out, add a splash of water. For quicker cooking, simmer on stove for 20 minutes instead of baking, but flavor and texture will be less developed.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, bacon, brown sugar, BBQ side dish, savory beans, easy recipe, potluck, smoky, sweet and savory

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/savory-loaded-baked-beans-with-bacon-and-brown-sugar-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-bbqs/