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

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A comforting and flavorful baked beans recipe featuring brown sugar caramelization and crispy bacon for a smoky crunch. Perfect as a hearty side for BBQs or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cooked navy beans or one 15-ounce can, drained and rinsed
  • 6 strips crispy bacon, chopped
  • ¼ cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt to taste (start with ½ teaspoon)
  • ½ cup water or broth

Instructions

  1. Heat skillet over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and cook until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon bits with a slotted spoon onto a paper towel-lined plate, leaving rendered fat in the pan.
  2. Add diced onion to bacon fat and cook until translucent and soft, about 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Stir in brown sugar, smoked paprika, black pepper, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Mix well and cook about 2 minutes until sugar dissolves and mixture is glossy.
  4. Add drained navy beans and water or broth. Stir gently to coat beans with sauce. Taste and add salt starting with ½ teaspoon, adjusting as needed.
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). If skillet is oven-safe, place it directly in the oven; otherwise, transfer mixture to a baking dish. Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes, stirring halfway through, until sauce thickens and beans are tender.
  6. Fold crispy bacon bits back into the beans after baking to keep them crunchy. Serve warm.

Notes

Do not drain bacon fat after cooking; it adds essential smoky flavor. Add bacon back after baking to keep it crispy. If beans are too thick during baking, add a splash of water or broth. Stir halfway through baking to prevent sticking but keep beans intact. Can prepare base a day ahead and bake fresh later. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and use smoked paprika and liquid smoke.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, brown sugar, crispy bacon, savory beans, BBQ side dish, easy baked beans, smoky baked beans

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/savory-baked-beans-recipe-with-brown-sugar-and-crispy-bacon-made-easy/