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Flavorful Firecracker Baked Beans with Brown Sugar and Bacon

firecracker baked beans - featured image
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A smoky, sweet, and spicy baked beans side dish featuring crispy bacon and a caramelized brown sugar glaze, perfect for barbecues and family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups cooked navy beans or great northern beans (about 2 cans, drained and rinsed)
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup water or broth (vegetable or chicken broth)
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon molasses

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cook the chopped bacon in an oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
  3. Add diced onion to the bacon fat and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes to caramelize slightly.
  6. Sprinkle smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and dry mustard powder over the mixture and stir well.
  7. Pour in apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and broth. Stir to combine, scraping the bottom of the pan.
  8. Gently fold in the beans, cooked bacon, brown sugar, and molasses if using. Mix carefully to keep beans mostly whole.
  9. Simmer on low heat for 5 minutes to marry flavors and thicken slightly.
  10. Transfer the skillet or Dutch oven to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and caramelized on top.
  11. Remove from oven, stir gently, and taste for seasoning. Add salt or hot sauce if desired.

Notes

If beans dry out during baking, add a splash more broth. Avoid stirring vigorously after adding beans to keep them intact. Adjust cayenne pepper to control heat. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and use smoked tempeh or liquid smoke.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, firecracker beans, bacon baked beans, sweet and spicy beans, barbecue side dish, brown sugar beans

Find it online: https://sunnysavory.com/flavorful-firecracker-baked-beans-recipe-easy-sweet-spicy-bacon-side/