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Savory Baked Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar Glaze

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A flavorful and easy baked beans recipe featuring smoky bacon and a sweet brown sugar glaze, perfect for BBQs and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups dried navy beans or 4 cups canned navy beans, drained and rinsed
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth or water

Instructions

  1. If using dried beans: Rinse 1 1/2 cups navy beans thoroughly. Soak them overnight in plenty of cold water (at least 8 hours). Drain and rinse before cooking.
  2. Cook the beans: Place soaked beans in a large pot, cover with fresh water by 2 inches, and bring to a gentle boil. Simmer uncovered for 45-60 minutes or until tender but not mushy. Drain and set aside. If using canned, rinse and drain thoroughly.
  3. Prepare the bacon: Chop 6 slices of thick-cut bacon into 1/2-inch pieces. In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp and fat is rendered, about 7-8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove bacon pieces and set aside on paper towels. Leave the bacon fat in the pot.
  4. Sauté aromatics: Add 1 finely diced yellow onion to the bacon fat. Cook over medium heat until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  5. Mix the glaze: Stir in 1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar, 1/2 cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly.
  6. Combine beans and glaze: Add the cooked beans and reserved bacon back into the pot. Pour in 1 1/2 cups chicken broth (or water) and stir gently to combine everything. Season with salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  7. Simmer: Lower the heat and let the beans simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. The liquid should reduce to a thick, glossy glaze that coats the beans.
  8. Optional oven finish: For a caramelized top, transfer the beans to an oven-safe casserole dish and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes without a lid. Keep an eye so it doesn’t dry out—add a splash of broth if needed.
  9. Serve: Let the beans cool for 5 minutes before serving to help the glaze set and flavors meld.

Notes

If glaze gets too thick during simmering, add a splash more broth. If too thin, increase heat slightly to reduce. Taste before adding salt due to bacon’s saltiness. For vegetarian version, replace bacon with smoked tempeh or liquid smoke and use vegetable broth. Leftovers taste better the next day. Reheat gently with added broth if glaze thickens.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, bacon, brown sugar glaze, BBQ side dish, savory beans, potluck recipe, easy baked beans

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/savory-baked-beans-with-bacon-and-brown-sugar-glaze-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-bbq/