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Savory Baked Beans with Crispy Bacon

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A comforting homemade side dish featuring slow-baked Great Northern beans with smoky crispy bacon and a rich, tangy sauce. Perfect for BBQs, family dinners, and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups dried Great Northern beans (or 3 cans, drained and rinsed)
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Rinse 2 cups dried Great Northern beans and soak in cold water overnight or for at least 8 hours. Drain and rinse again.
  2. Transfer soaked beans to a large pot, cover with fresh water by about 2 inches, bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 45-60 minutes until tender but not mushy. Drain and set aside. (If using canned beans, rinse and drain well.)
  3. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
  4. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 6 slices of chopped thick-cut bacon until crispy, about 8 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet.
  5. Add the finely diced onion to the bacon fat and cook over medium heat until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes.
  6. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  7. Add tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
  8. Stir in brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika. Mix well and let simmer for 2 minutes.
  9. Transfer cooked or canned beans to a large oven-safe casserole dish or Dutch oven.
  10. Pour the onion and bacon sauce over the beans. Add the crispy bacon bits (reserve a few for garnish).
  11. Pour in water or chicken broth. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Stir gently to combine.
  12. Cover the dish with a lid or foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring halfway through. Add a splash of water or broth if beans seem dry.
  13. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
  14. Sprinkle reserved crispy bacon on top for garnish.

Notes

If using canned beans, skip soaking and boiling steps and reduce baking time slightly. For thicker beans, uncover and bake an additional 10-15 minutes. Adjust salt and pepper at the end to taste. Vegetarian option: omit bacon and use smoked paprika or liquid smoke, add sautéed mushrooms or smoked tempeh. Slow cooker method: cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, bacon, comfort food, side dish, Great Northern beans, smoky, homemade, potluck, BBQ

Find it online: https://tastypierecipes.com/savory-baked-beans-with-crispy-bacon-easy-homemade-comfort-side-recipe/