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Cozy Bourbon Brown Sugar Baked Beans with Bacon

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A comforting and flavorful baked beans recipe featuring thick-cut bacon, brown sugar, and a splash of bourbon for a sweet, smoky, and boozy twist. Perfect for cozy gatherings and easy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups dried navy beans or great northern beans (or 4 cans, drained and rinsed)
  • 8 ounces thick-cut bacon, diced
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup water or low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  1. If using dried beans, soak 2 cups in water overnight or quick soak by boiling for 2 minutes, then let sit for 1 hour. Drain and rinse. If using canned beans, drain and rinse 4 cans thoroughly.
  2. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
  3. In a Dutch oven or skillet over medium heat, cook diced thick-cut bacon until fat renders and bacon is crispy and golden, about 8–10 minutes. Remove bacon pieces with a slotted spoon, leaving bacon fat in the pot.
  4. Add chopped onion to the bacon fat and cook for 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in brown sugar, ketchup, Dijon mustard, molasses, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Let bubble gently for 2–3 minutes to meld flavors and reduce slightly.
  6. Carefully stir in prepared beans and 1 cup water or chicken broth, coating beans with the sauce.
  7. If the pot is not oven-safe, transfer mixture to an oven-safe casserole dish. Otherwise, cover the Dutch oven with its lid or foil.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. Stir gently halfway through and add a splash more liquid if it looks dry.
  9. Remove from oven and stir in the reserved crispy bacon pieces. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  10. Let the beans rest for 10 minutes before serving to thicken and allow flavors to settle.

Notes

If sauce is too thin after baking, simmer gently on stovetop to thicken. For a kid-friendly version, substitute bourbon with apple juice or apple cider with vanilla extract. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and add smoked paprika with liquid smoke and sautéed mushrooms. Slow cooker adaptation: brown bacon, onions, and garlic, then cook all ingredients on low for 6-8 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, bourbon baked beans, brown sugar baked beans, bacon baked beans, smoky baked beans, easy baked beans, comfort food, side dish

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/cozy-bourbon-brown-sugar-baked-beans-with-bacon-recipe-made-easy/