Savory Brown Sugar Bacon Baked Beans
A comforting and flavorful baked beans side dish featuring crispy thick-cut bacon and a subtle sweetness from brown sugar, perfect for gatherings or cozy weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Salt, to taste
- 1/2 cup water or broth
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces. In a skillet over medium heat, cook until crispy, about 7-10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon bits to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
- Add diced onion to the bacon fat and cook until translucent, around 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Stir in brown sugar, tomato paste, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and a pinch of black pepper. Let the mixture bubble gently for 2-3 minutes, allowing the brown sugar to melt and meld with the other ingredients.
- Drain and rinse the beans, then stir them into the skillet. If the mixture feels too thick, add 1/2 cup water or broth to loosen it up. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Pour everything into an oven-safe baking dish. Sprinkle the reserved crispy bacon evenly over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes until the beans are bubbly, thick, and lightly caramelized on top.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and beans to thicken.
Notes
Do not skip the resting step after baking; it improves texture and flavor. Add extra water or broth during baking if beans look dry. For gluten-free, verify Worcestershire sauce or substitute with tamari. Vegetarian version can be made by omitting bacon and using smoked paprika or liquid smoke and vegan Worcestershire sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 7
- Protein: 14
Keywords: baked beans, bacon, brown sugar, side dish, easy recipe, savory, crowd-pleaser, comfort food