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Smoky Bourbon Bacon Baked Beans

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These Smoky Bourbon Bacon Baked Beans are the ultimate easy side dish for any gathering. Sweet, smoky, and a little boozy, they’re made with simple ingredients and come together in about 15 minutes of active work.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced small (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) navy beans or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup good bourbon
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F. Place a Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat and add the chopped bacon. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pot.
  2. Add the diced onion to the hot bacon fat and cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the bourbon and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  4. Add the ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, smoked paprika, black pepper, and cayenne (if using). Stir until the sugar dissolves and the sauce is smooth.
  5. Add the drained beans and the cooked bacon (reserve a small handful for topping if desired). Stir gently to coat all the beans.
  6. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer on the stovetop, then cover the pot with the lid and transfer to the preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour, covered.
  7. After 1 hour, remove the lid and stir the beans. Return to the oven, uncovered, for another 30-45 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the sauce is thick and syrupy.
  8. Let the beans rest for 10 minutes before serving. Top with reserved crispy bacon bits if desired.

Notes

Don’t skip the bourbon simmer to avoid harsh alcohol notes. Watch your bacon fat ratio—leave about 2 tablespoons. Low and slow (325°F) is key to prevent burning. Stir from the bottom during uncovered baking to prevent sugar settling. Let the beans rest for 10 minutes before serving for best consistency.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, bourbon bacon baked beans, smoky baked beans, barbecue side dish, easy baked beans

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/smoky-bourbon-bacon-baked-beans-the-best-easy-side-dish/