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Savory Brown Sugar Bacon Baked Beans Recipe Easy with Caramelized Onions

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A comforting and flavorful baked beans recipe featuring smoky bacon, caramelized onions, and a perfect balance of brown sugar sweetness. Easy to prepare and ideal for gatherings or cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cans navy beans or great northern beans (15 oz / 425 g each)
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar (dark or light)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until crispy, about 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not drain the bacon fat.
  3. Add the thinly sliced yellow onion to the skillet with the bacon fat. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring every few minutes until the onions turn a deep golden brown and smell sweet, about 20-25 minutes.
  4. Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste. Cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet bottom.
  5. In a bowl, combine brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir until smooth.
  6. Drain and rinse the canned beans, then add them to the skillet with the bacon and onion mixture. Pour the sauce over everything and gently stir to coat the beans without mashing them.
  7. Pour the entire mixture into an oven-safe baking dish (about 2-quart/2-liter capacity), spreading it out evenly.
  8. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes until the sauce thickens and bubbles around the edges and the top develops a slightly caramelized crust.
  9. Let the beans cool for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set and flavors to deepen.

Notes

If the sauce looks too thick during baking, add a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out. Stir gently once halfway through baking for even cooking. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and use smoked paprika or liquid smoke, cook onions in olive oil, and use vegan Worcestershire sauce or coconut aminos. Slow cooker adaptation: cook bacon and onions on stovetop, then combine all ingredients in slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, bacon, brown sugar, caramelized onions, easy side dish, comfort food, barbecue side, savory beans

Find it online: https://blipflavor.com/savory-brown-sugar-bacon-baked-beans-recipe-easy-with-caramelized-onions/