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Savory Baked Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar

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A comforting and flavorful baked beans recipe featuring smoky bacon and caramelized brown sugar, perfect as a hearty side dish for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (about 900 g) great northern beans or navy beans, canned or pre-soaked and cooked
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) packed brown sugar
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
  • Salt, to taste
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) water or low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until crispy but not burnt, about 6-8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
  3. Add the finely chopped onion to the bacon fat. Cook over medium heat until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, tomato paste, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and water or chicken broth. Whisk together until smooth.
  5. If using canned beans, drain and rinse them well. Add the beans and cooked bacon to the bowl with the sauce and stir gently to coat everything evenly.
  6. Pour the bean mixture into your prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
  7. Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes. Check halfway through and give it a gentle stir to prevent sticking. The sauce should thicken and bubble, coating the beans in a glossy glaze.
  8. Taste and adjust salt or pepper as needed. Let the beans rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Render bacon fat slowly to avoid bitterness. Rinse canned beans to remove excess sodium and starch. Adjust sauce thickness by adding broth before baking or broiling briefly after baking if needed. For vegetarian version, substitute bacon with smoked tempeh or liquid smoke and use vegetable broth. Use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce for gluten-free diet.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://prismtaste.com/savory-baked-beans-with-bacon-and-brown-sugar-easy-homemade-recipe-for-perfect-flavor/