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Savory Maple Bourbon Baked Beans Recipe with Crispy Bacon and Onions Made Easy

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A comforting and flavorful baked beans recipe featuring smoky bacon, slow caramelized onions, and a subtle maple bourbon glaze. Perfect as a hearty side for gatherings or weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1½ cups dried navy beans or about 3 cans navy beans, soaked and rinsed if dried
  • 6–8 slices thick cut crispy bacon
  • 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup
  • ¼ cup bourbon
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • About 2 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  1. If using dried navy beans, soak them overnight in cold water. Drain and rinse well the next day. If canned, drain and rinse to remove excess sodium.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon slices until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of the rendered bacon fat in the skillet.
  3. Add the sliced onions to the bacon fat over medium-low heat. Stir frequently, letting them soften and slowly turn golden brown, about 25-30 minutes. Add a pinch of salt halfway through.
  4. Add minced garlic to the caramelized onions and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  5. Stir in tomato paste, maple syrup, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture bubble gently for about 3 minutes to blend flavors and cook off some alcohol.
  6. Add the soaked or canned beans and about 2 cups of water or chicken broth to the pot. Stir well to coat everything in the sauce.
  7. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C) if baking. Transfer mixture to a large baking dish if pot is not oven-safe. Bake uncovered for 60-75 minutes, stirring halfway through, until beans are tender and sauce thickened. Alternatively, simmer gently on stovetop for 60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  8. Chop the crispy bacon and fold it into the beans just before serving to keep it crisp.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or maple syrup as needed.

Notes

Caramelize onions slowly over medium-low heat to avoid bitterness. Add bacon at the end to keep it crispy. If beans dry out during baking, add a splash of broth or water. For creamier texture, stir in a tablespoon of butter at the end. Vegetarian adaptation: omit bacon and use smoked paprika or liquid smoke plus sautéed mushrooms. Slow cooker method: cook on low 6-8 hours after caramelizing onions and cooking bacon.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, maple bourbon, bacon, caramelized onions, comfort food, easy recipe, savory beans, potluck dish

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