Print

Savory Brown Sugar Bourbon Baked Beans Recipe with Crispy Bacon

brown sugar bourbon baked beans - featured image
Print Recipe

A smoky-sweet baked beans recipe featuring brown sugar, bourbon, and crispy bacon, perfect for BBQs and gatherings. This comforting side dish combines rich flavors with a satisfying texture.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups cooked navy beans or great northern beans (or two 15 oz cans, drained)
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • ¼ cup bourbon whiskey
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • ½ cup water or broth

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook for about 7–10 minutes until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove bacon bits with a slotted spoon and set aside on paper towels to drain. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan.
  3. Add diced onions to the bacon fat and sauté for 4–5 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Toss in minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute, careful not to burn it.
  4. Stir in brown sugar, ketchup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt into the onion-garlic mixture. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Pour in the bourbon and let it simmer for 1–2 minutes to cook off the alcohol, stirring continuously.
  6. In your baking dish or Dutch oven, mix the cooked or canned beans with the bacon bits and sauce. Add water or broth to loosen the mixture slightly—about ½ cup should do. Stir gently to coat evenly.
  7. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes. The sauce should bubble and thicken, and edges may caramelize a bit. Check occasionally; if it looks too dry, add a splash of water.
  8. For extra crispiness, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end, but watch closely to avoid burning.
  9. Let the beans cool for 5 minutes before serving to help the sauce set and flavors deepen.

Notes

[‘Use thick-cut bacon for best crispy texture and flavor.’, ‘Simmer bourbon to cook off most alcohol, leaving rich flavor.’, ‘If beans seem dry after baking, stir in a tablespoon of water or broth.’, ‘For vegetarian version, replace bacon with smoked tempeh or sautéed mushrooms and omit bourbon or substitute with liquid smoke.’, ‘Flavors deepen if made a day ahead.’, ‘Broil briefly at the end for extra crispy topping but watch carefully to avoid burning.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, bourbon baked beans, BBQ side dish, brown sugar baked beans, crispy bacon, savory beans, summer recipe

Find it online: https://evabake.com/savory-brown-sugar-bourbon-baked-beans-recipe-with-crispy-bacon-perfect-for-bbqs/