Sweet and Savory Brown Sugar Bacon Baked Beans
These baked beans are a perfect side dish for any summer barbecue or potluck. They are bursting with flavor from the crispy bacon, sweet brown sugar, and tangy molasses. This recipe is easily customizable to your tastes, and leftovers are even better the next day!
Ingredients:
- 10 slices thick-cut bacon (about 1 pound)
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 1/2 green bell pepper, finely diced (about 1/2 cup)
- (54 oz) can of pork and beans or an equivalent number of smaller cans (around 4 cans)
- 4 tablespoons ketchup
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional Ingredients:
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley, thyme, or rosemary)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Hot sauce, to taste
Instructions:
- Cook the Bacon: Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until it is crisp but not burnt, about 5-7 minutes per side. Drain the bacon on a paper towel-lined plate. Once cool enough to handle, crumble or chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces. Reserve some of the bacon grease for cooking the vegetables (optional).
Tip: If you prefer not to use bacon grease, you can substitute with olive oil or butter.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet used to cook the bacon, heat 2 tablespoons of reserved bacon grease (or olive oil/butter) over medium heat. Add the diced onion and green pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened and translucent.
Optional Step: If using garlic, add it to the pan with the vegetables and cook for an additional minute, until fragrant.
- Combine the Ingredients: Add the pork and beans (including the sauce from the can), ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and dry mustard to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir everything together until well combined. Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Assemble and Bake: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (165 degrees Celsius). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Pour the bean mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the crumbled bacon evenly over the top of the beans.
- Bake for Sweet and Smoky Perfection: Bake the beans for 2-3 hours, or until they are thickened and bubbly. The longer you bake them, the thicker and smokier the flavor will become.
Tips:
- For a thicker consistency, remove the foil during the last 30 minutes of baking.
- If the beans seem dry at any point during baking, you can add a splash of water or chicken broth.
- Like things a little spicy? Add a few dashes of hot sauce to the bean mixture before baking.
- To add a fresh herb flavor, stir in chopped parsley, thyme, or rosemary at the end of cooking.
Serve and Enjoy: Let the baked beans cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. These beans are delicious served alongside grilled meats, burgers, hot dogs, or pulled pork.
Leftovers: These baked beans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat them gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Enjoy these sweet, savory, and smoky Brown Sugar Bacon Baked Beans!
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