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Cozy Baked Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar

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A warm, smoky-sweet baked beans recipe with bacon and brown sugar that delivers comforting, hearty flavor perfect for chilly evenings and family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup dry navy beans (about 200g), soaked overnight or quick-soaked
  • 6 strips bacon, chopped
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
  • 2 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 cup (200g) of dry navy beans and soak them overnight in cold water, covering by at least 2 inches. For quick soak, boil beans and water for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and soak for 1 hour. Drain and rinse before cooking.
  2. In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, cook 6 chopped bacon strips until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
  3. Add 1 diced yellow onion to the bacon fat and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste, ½ cup packed brown sugar, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional). Cook and stir for 2 minutes to combine flavors.
  5. Return the drained beans to the pot. Pour in 2 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth. Stir everything together and bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Cover the pot partially and let simmer on low heat for 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. Add the reserved crispy bacon back in during the last 15 minutes of cooking. The beans should be tender but hold their shape, and the sauce thick and sticky.
  7. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more water; if too thin, remove the lid and simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes.
  8. Serve warm immediately or let cool and refrigerate for the next day when flavors deepen.

Notes

Do not skip soaking the beans to avoid chalky texture. Render bacon fat slowly for best flavor. Stir gently to avoid mashing beans. Simmer gently to keep beans intact and develop flavors. Adjust sweetness and smoky level to taste. Can be made vegetarian by omitting bacon and adding smoked paprika or liquid smoke.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, bacon, brown sugar, comfort food, easy recipe, navy beans, homemade baked beans, smoky baked beans

Find it online: https://vexifood.com/cozy-baked-beans-with-bacon-and-brown-sugar-easy-homemade-recipe-for-comfort-food-fans/