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Flavorful Smoky Baked Beans with Bacon and Bourbon

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A hearty and comforting baked beans recipe featuring smoky bacon and a splash of bourbon for warmth and depth. Perfect for backyard barbecues or cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups dried navy beans (or 4 cups cooked/canned, rinsed and drained)
  • 6 strips bacon, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup bourbon (e.g., Maker’s Mark or Woodford Reserve)
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt to taste (start with 1 teaspoon)
  • 2 cups water or broth

Instructions

  1. If using dried navy beans, soak them overnight in cold water (8-12 hours). Drain and rinse before cooking. For canned beans, rinse and drain.
  2. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving rendered fat in the pot.
  3. Add diced onions to the bacon fat and cook over medium heat until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in tomato paste, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring often.
  5. Pour in bourbon carefully, scraping up browned bits from the pot bottom. Simmer for 2 minutes to cook off alcohol.
  6. Add soaked or canned beans, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and 2 cups water or broth. Mix well.
  7. Heat mixture until it gently simmers on stovetop, about 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  8. Cover the Dutch oven and transfer to a preheated 325°F (160°C) oven. Bake for 1 to 1½ hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until beans are tender and sauce is thick and bubbly.
  9. Stir cooked bacon back into the beans just before serving.

Notes

If beans start drying out during baking, add a splash of water. Stir occasionally during baking to prevent sticking. Use thick-cut smoked bacon for best flavor. For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and use vegan Worcestershire sauce with smoked sea salt or liquid smoke. Bourbon cooks off during baking, leaving warmth and sweetness.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, smoky baked beans, bacon baked beans, bourbon baked beans, comfort food, barbecue side dish, easy baked beans

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/flavorful-smoky-baked-beans-with-bacon-and-bourbon-easy-homemade-recipe/