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Easy Flavorful Baked Beans Recipe with Crispy Bacon Upgrade for Perfect BBQ Side

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A quick and easy baked beans recipe featuring crispy bacon for a smoky, sweet, and savory BBQ side dish that’s perfect for gatherings and weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups cooked navy beans or 2 (15 oz) cans navy or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 tablespoon molasses (optional but recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • Salt, to taste (start with ½ teaspoon and adjust)
  • ½ cup water or bean cooking liquid

Instructions

  1. If using dried beans, soak 1 cup navy beans overnight in cold water. Drain and rinse, then simmer in fresh water for about 1 to 1½ hours until tender but not mushy. Drain, reserving ½ cup of the cooking liquid. If using canned beans, drain and rinse well.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced bacon and cook until golden and crispy, about 8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
  3. Add chopped onion to the bacon fat and cook over medium heat until translucent and slightly caramelized, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook another 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. In the same pan, stir in ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook over low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, until the mixture thickens slightly and the flavors meld.
  5. Add the cooked beans and crispy bacon back into the pan. Pour in reserved bean liquid or water to loosen the sauce if needed. Stir gently to coat the beans evenly.
  6. Reduce heat to low, cover loosely, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The sauce should thicken and become glossy, coating each bean with flavor.
  7. Taste your baked beans and adjust salt, pepper, or sweetness as needed. If you want it tangier, add a splash of extra vinegar. If thicker sauce is preferred, simmer uncovered for a few minutes.
  8. Transfer to a serving dish and serve warm.

Notes

Do not skip crisping the bacon for texture contrast. Use low heat for simmering to avoid burning the sauce. Reserve bean cooking liquid to add flavor and adjust sauce consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning at the end. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and use smoked paprika and liquid smoke. Slow cooker method: brown bacon and sauté onion/garlic, then cook all ingredients on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, BBQ side dish, crispy bacon, easy baked beans, smoky baked beans, potluck recipe, quick side dish

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