Print

Savory Baked Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar

savory baked beans - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy recipe for savory baked beans featuring smoky bacon and sweet brown sugar, perfect as a hearty side dish for potlucks, BBQs, or cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups dried navy beans (or about 4 cups cooked/canned, drained well)
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups water or broth

Instructions

  1. Soak the beans (if using dried): Rinse 2 cups dried navy beans under cold water. Place in a large bowl, cover with 3 inches of water, and soak overnight or for at least 8 hours. If using canned beans, skip this step.
  2. Cook the beans: Drain the soaked beans and transfer to a large pot. Cover with about 6 cups fresh water or broth, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook until tender but not mushy, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Drain and set aside.
  3. Prepare the bacon and aromatics: Dice 6 slices thick-cut bacon. In a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy and fat is rendered, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels, reserving the fat in the skillet.
  4. Sauté onion and garlic: In the bacon fat, add the finely chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Combine ingredients: In an oven-safe baking dish or Dutch oven, mix cooked beans, bacon, sautéed onion and garlic, brown sugar, ketchup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika. Stir gently to combine. Add about 2 cups water or broth to create a saucy consistency.
  6. Season and taste: Add salt and black pepper. Adjust seasoning as desired, adding more brown sugar or vinegar if needed.
  7. Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes to thicken and caramelize the sauce.
  8. Rest and serve: Let the beans cool for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.

Notes

If using canned beans, rinse well to reduce sodium and reduce baking time by about 15 minutes. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and add smoked paprika and liquid smoke. Sauce can be thickened on stovetop if too thin after baking. Beans taste better the next day. Store leftovers in airtight container in fridge up to 4 days or freeze.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/savory-baked-beans-with-bacon-and-brown-sugar-easy-recipe-for-perfect-side-dish/