Description
Sweet, smoky, and utterly comforting—Brown Sugar and Bacon Baked Beans are a must-try for anyone who loves bold flavors wrapped in simplicity. Perfect for backyard BBQs, cozy family dinners, or potluck gatherings, this dish combines the heartiness of beans with the indulgence of crispy bacon and the rich sweetness of brown sugar. It’s the kind of dish that gets devoured before you know it, leaving everyone asking for the recipe.
This easy recipe is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for satisfying dinner ideas or quick side dishes that don’t require a ton of prep. With pantry staples and minimal hands-on time, it’s also great for busy weeknights or meal prepping. The flavors are deep and layered, the texture is thick and saucy, and the whole experience is pure comfort food bliss. Whether you need a hearty snack, a side for grilled meats, or a dish that impresses at a potluck, this is the one.
Ingredients
4 cups canned navy beans (or 2 cups dry beans soaked and cooked)
8 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a skillet, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside. Reserve 2 tbsp bacon fat in the pan.
- Sauté diced onion in the bacon fat until soft and lightly browned.
- In a bowl, whisk together brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- In a large oven-safe dish, mix beans, cooked onion, two-thirds of the bacon, and the sauce. Stir gently.
- Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Remove foil, add remaining bacon on top, and bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes until thick and caramelized.
- Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm!