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Savory Brown Sugar Bourbon Baked Beans Recipe Perfect for a Crowd

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A rich and smoky baked beans recipe featuring brown sugar and bourbon, perfect for gatherings and backyard barbecues. This dish balances sweet, smoky, and subtle warmth with a caramelized texture.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 (15-ounce) cans navy beans, drained and rinsed
  • 6 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar (preferably dark brown sugar)
  • ¼ cup bourbon (mid-range like Maker’s Mark or Buffalo Trace)
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt to taste (start with ½ teaspoon)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crisp, about 7-9 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
  3. In the same skillet with bacon fat, add diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar, bourbon, Dijon mustard, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt until the brown sugar dissolves.
  5. In a large oven-safe baking dish or Dutch oven, add the drained navy beans. Pour the sauce over the beans and stir gently to coat evenly.
  6. Fold in the cooked bacon, onions, and garlic mixture into the beans and stir to combine.
  7. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to prevent sticking and encourage caramelization.
  8. Check that the beans are thick, bubbly, and sticky with a glossy sauce. If too wet, bake an additional 10-15 minutes.
  9. Let the beans cool slightly before serving to allow flavors to settle and sauce to thicken.

Notes

Use quality mid-range bourbon for best flavor. Stir every 15 minutes during baking to prevent burning and encourage caramelization. For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and add smoked paprika or liquid smoke and sautéed mushrooms. You can substitute maple syrup or honey for brown sugar. Slow cooker adaptation: cook on low for 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, bourbon baked beans, brown sugar baked beans, savory baked beans, barbecue side dish, crowd-pleaser, smoky baked beans

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/savory-brown-sugar-bourbon-baked-beans-recipe-perfect-for-a-crowd/