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Smoky Sweet Brown Sugar Bacon Baked Beans

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These Smoky Sweet Brown Sugar Bacon Baked Beans are the ultimate comfort food for fall. With deep, layered flavors from smoked paprika, crispy bacon, and dark brown sugar, this easy recipe is perfect for potlucks, game day, or a cozy Sunday dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dried navy beans (or great northern beans)
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup molasses (not blackstrap)
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups water (or enough to cover beans by 1 inch)

Instructions

  1. Soak the beans overnight: Place dried navy beans in a large bowl and cover with cold water by at least 2 inches. Let sit at room temperature for 8 to 12 hours. Drain and rinse well.
  2. Preheat oven to 325°F. Place a large Dutch oven over medium heat on the stovetop.
  3. Cook the bacon: Add bacon pieces to the cold pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy, about 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Leave rendered fat in the pot.
  4. Sauté onion and garlic: Add diced onion to the bacon fat and cook over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Build the sauce: Reduce heat to low. Stir in dark brown sugar, molasses, ketchup, yellow mustard, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
  6. Add beans and water: Pour in drained beans and stir to coat. Add 4 cups water (or enough to cover beans by 1 inch). Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
  7. Bake low and slow: Cover the pot and transfer to the preheated oven. Bake for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, stirring once or twice. Beans should be tender and sauce thick and glossy.
  8. Add bacon back: About 15 minutes before beans are done, stir cooked bacon pieces back into the pot.
  9. Rest and serve: Remove pot from oven and let sit, uncovered, for 10 to 15 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and add 1 teaspoon liquid smoke. For a spicy kick, add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper. For a slow cooker adaptation, transfer to slow cooker after step 6 and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Beans can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, bacon, brown sugar, smoky, fall recipe, potluck, comfort food

Find it online: https://jollyfork.com/smoky-sweet-brown-sugar-bacon-baked-beans-easy-best-recipe/