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Cozy Baked Beans with Brown Sugar Bacon for a Crowd

cozy baked beans with brown sugar bacon - featured image
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A comforting and crowd-pleasing baked beans recipe featuring sweet brown sugar and smoky bacon, perfect for gatherings and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cans (15 oz each) navy beans or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¾ cup (6 fl oz) ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon molasses (optional but recommended)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • ½ cup (4 fl oz) water or broth

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy, 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 diced onion to the bacon fat and cook until translucent and softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, ketchup, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, molasses (if using), black pepper, and water or broth. Whisk until smooth and glossy.
  5. Gently fold in the drained beans, cooked bacon, and sautéed onion-garlic mix into the sauce. Stir carefully to avoid mashing the beans.
  6. Pour the mixture into a large oven-safe baking dish and spread evenly.
  7. Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes, stirring halfway through. The sauce should thicken and bubble around the edges, and bacon bits will caramelize.
  8. If the beans seem too thick, add a splash of water and stir. For a thicker texture, bake a few minutes longer.
  9. Let the baked beans cool for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and texture to firm up.

Notes

Do not rush cooking the bacon to get crispy rendered fat for flavor. Stir gently to keep beans intact. Taste before adding salt due to bacon and canned beans’ saltiness. Sauce and bean mixture can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and use smoked paprika and olive oil. For gluten-free, verify Worcestershire sauce or substitute with coconut aminos.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, brown sugar bacon, crowd recipe, comfort food, potluck, easy baked beans, smoky bacon, sweet and savory beans

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/cozy-baked-beans-with-brown-sugar-bacon-recipe-for-a-crowd-made-easy/