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Comforting Baked Beans Recipe with Brown Sugar and Crispy Bacon

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A quick and easy baked beans recipe loaded with brown sugar and crispy bacon, delivering a warm, smoky, and comforting dish perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cans (15 oz / 425 g each) Great Northern Beans, drained and rinsed
  • 6 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • ½ cup (100 g) packed light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • ½ cup (120 ml) ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • ½ cup (120 ml) water or low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy and browned, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
  3. Add the finely chopped onion to the skillet with the bacon fat and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, molasses, ketchup, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and salt. Stir until smooth and well blended.
  5. Drain and rinse the canned beans, then add them to the bowl with the sauce. Toss in the cooked bacon and sautéed onions and garlic. Stir gently to coat evenly.
  6. Pour the mixture into an oven-safe casserole dish or Dutch oven. If the sauce is too thick, add up to ½ cup (120 ml) water or broth to loosen it slightly.
  7. Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until the sauce bubbles gently and the top develops a slight caramelized crust. Stir gently halfway through baking if needed.
  8. For extra crispy bacon topping, sprinkle reserved bacon bits on top during the last 10 minutes of baking.
  9. Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to thicken the sauce and settle flavors.

Notes

Do not over-salt early as bacon and Worcestershire sauce add saltiness. Crisp bacon separately to avoid rubbery texture. Use moderate heat when sautéing onions and garlic to prevent burning. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and use smoked paprika, liquid smoke, and vegetable broth. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 4 days and freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, brown sugar, crispy bacon, comfort food, easy baked beans, smoky baked beans, potluck recipe, BBQ side dish

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