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Comforting Baked Beans Recipe with Brown Sugar and Crispy Bacon Made Easy

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A hearty and nostalgic baked beans recipe featuring a perfect balance of sweet brown sugar and crispy bacon, delivering a comforting and flavorful dish that’s easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (about 2 cans or 500g) navy beans or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • ⅓ cup (70g) packed light brown sugar
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup (120ml) tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon or yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • ½ cup (120ml) water or broth, to loosen sauce if needed

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cook the chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
  3. Add diced onion to the bacon fat and cook over medium heat until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle brown sugar over the onion and garlic mixture, stirring constantly. Cook for about 2 minutes until it starts to turn a deep amber color.
  5. Stir in tomato sauce, mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to create a rich glaze.
  6. Gently fold in the drained beans, coating them without mashing. Add water or broth if the sauce is too thick.
  7. Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe baking dish or Dutch oven and spread evenly.
  8. Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the sauce thickens and bubbles.
  9. Fold in the crispy bacon pieces, reserving some for garnish if desired.
  10. Let the baked beans rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Cook bacon separately to keep it crispy and fold in at the end to avoid sogginess. Caramelize brown sugar with onions before adding liquids for deeper flavor. If beans dry out during baking, add a splash of water and stir gently. Taste before adding extra salt as bacon adds saltiness.

Nutrition

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

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