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Best Maple Bourbon Baked Beans for Labor Day (Easy Recipe)

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These maple bourbon baked beans are a Labor Day signature, born from a happy accident and refined through years of testing. They’re the side dish that nobody expects and everybody asks about later, with a deep, complex sweetness from real maple syrup and bourbon.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 28 ounces canned navy beans or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 6 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 1/3 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Place your cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy and the fat is rendered, about 6-8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet (roughly 2-3 tablespoons).
  2. Sauté the aromatics: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the diced onion to the bacon fat and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant—don’t let it brown or it’ll turn bitter.
  3. Build the sauce: Pour in the bourbon and let it sizzle for 30 seconds, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Add the maple syrup, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and cayenne if using. Stir until everything is combined and smooth.
  4. Simmer the sauce: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly and the flavors meld.
  5. Add the beans and bacon: Gently fold in the drained navy beans and half the cooked bacon. Stir until the beans are evenly coated in the sauce.
  6. Bake (optional but recommended): Preheat your oven to 325°F. Transfer the skillet to the oven (or pour the bean mixture into a baking dish if your skillet isn’t oven-safe). Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling and thickened around the edges.
  7. Finish and rest: Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. The beans will continue to thicken as they cool. Sprinkle the remaining crispy bacon on top just before serving.
  8. Serve: Spoon into bowls or straight from the skillet. These beans are best served warm, not piping hot, so the flavors have a chance to settle.

Notes

Don’t skip the bacon fat—it carries flavor into every bean. Watch your heat when adding bourbon to avoid flare-ups. Let the beans rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken. Taste as you go and adjust sweetness, tang, or heat to your preference. Over-stirring can break the beans apart, so fold gently.

Nutrition

Keywords: maple bourbon baked beans, Labor Day recipe, baked beans, side dish, cookout, bacon, bourbon, maple syrup

Find it online: https://jollyfork.com/best-maple-bourbon-baked-beans-for-labor-day-easy-recipe/