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BBQ Baked Beans Recipe: Easy Brown Sugar & Smoky Bacon Comfort Food

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These BBQ Baked Beans are the ultimate comfort food side, featuring tender navy beans baked in a sweet, smoky sauce with crispy bacon and brown sugar. Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or cozy family dinners, this easy recipe is always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cans (15 oz each) navy beans, drained and rinsed (or great northern, pinto, or cannellini beans)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or bacon fat)
  • 2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1/3 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons molasses (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 8 oz thick-cut smoky bacon, chopped into bite-sized pieces

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crisp and fat is rendered, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving about 2 tablespoons bacon fat in the pan.
  3. Add chopped onion to the skillet with reserved bacon fat or olive oil. Sauté until onion is soft and golden, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, molasses (if using), Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  5. In a 13×9-inch baking dish, combine drained beans, sautéed onions, and half the cooked bacon. Pour sauce over and gently stir to mix. Smooth the top.
  6. Scatter remaining bacon evenly over the top.
  7. Bake uncovered for 40-50 minutes, until sauce is bubbling and bacon is caramelized and crisp. If bacon darkens too quickly, tent with foil for last 10-15 minutes.
  8. Let beans cool for at least 10 minutes before serving to thicken the sauce.
  9. Serve hot, spooning up plenty of bacon topping.

Notes

For vegetarian beans, skip the bacon and add 1 teaspoon liquid smoke. Taste your sauce before baking and adjust sweetness or tang as needed. Beans can be made ahead and taste even better the next day. If beans are too dry, add a splash of water or BBQ sauce before serving. For extra crispy bacon, start with a cold pan. Rotate pan halfway through baking for even cooking.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/bbq-baked-beans-recipe-easy-brown-sugar-and-smoky-bacon-comfort-food/