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Savory Brown Sugar Bourbon Baked Beans

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A warm, sticky, and flavorful baked beans recipe featuring a perfect blend of sweet brown sugar and smoky bourbon, slow-baked to develop a rich, caramelized crust. Ideal for BBQs, family dinners, or comforting weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups dry navy beans (about 300g), soaked overnight or quick-soaked
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped (or turkey bacon as substitute)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • ¼ cup bourbon (60 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon or yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 cups chicken broth or water (480 ml)
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 ½ cups dry navy beans thoroughly. Soak them overnight in about 6 cups of cold water or quick soak by boiling for 5 minutes then letting sit covered for 1 hour. Drain and rinse before cooking.
  2. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
  3. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook 4 chopped bacon slices until crispy (6-8 minutes). Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving rendered fat in pot.
  4. Add 1 finely chopped yellow onion to the pot and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and slightly caramelized. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 more minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste, ½ cup packed brown sugar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper if using. Cook and stir for 2 minutes to blend flavors and thicken slightly.
  6. Carefully pour in ¼ cup bourbon and let simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly and cook off some alcohol, scraping up browned bits.
  7. Add soaked, drained beans back to pot along with 2 cups chicken broth or water. Stir to combine. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  8. Cover Dutch oven with lid or foil and bake in preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring halfway through, until beans are tender and sauce is thickened.
  9. Remove from oven, stir in cooked bacon pieces, and adjust seasoning if needed. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Soak beans ahead of time to reduce cooking time and ensure even texture. Brown onions and bacon first to build smoky flavor base. Let bourbon simmer to cook off alcohol and avoid sharp bite. Adjust thickness after baking by adding warm water or reducing uncovered in oven. Can substitute canned beans (reduce liquid and baking time). For vegetarian version, omit bacon and use smoked paprika and liquid smoke.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, bourbon baked beans, brown sugar baked beans, BBQ side dish, homemade baked beans, savory beans, bourbon recipe

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/savory-brown-sugar-bourbon-baked-beans-recipe-easy-homemade-from-scratch/