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Easy Brown Sugar Bacon Baked Beans

Easy Brown Sugar Bacon Baked Beans

Sweet, smoky, and irresistibly sticky baked beans loaded with crispy bacon and brown sugar. Perfect for cookouts, potlucks, or any hearty side.
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients
 

Main Ingredients

  • 12 oz thick-cut bacon, chopped Cook until crisp; reserve 2 tbsp drippings
  • 1 cup yellow onion, diced
  • 1 whole jalapeño, seeded and minced Optional for a mild kick
  • 3 can navy beans 15 oz each, drained and rinsed
  • 0.75 cup ketchup
  • 0.25 cup molasses
  • 0.5 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 0.5 tsp kosher salt Adjust to taste
  • 0.5 cup water Use as needed to loosen the sauce

Instructions

Preparation Steps

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish or similar casserole.
  • Cook the chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel–lined plate. Reserve 2 tbsp bacon drippings in the skillet; discard the rest.
  • Sauté the diced onion (and jalapeño, if using) in the reserved drippings over medium heat until softened and lightly golden, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, Dijon, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire, garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and water until smooth.
  • Add the drained navy beans, sautéed aromatics, and half of the cooked bacon to the bowl. Fold gently to coat evenly.
  • Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining bacon over the top.
  • Bake uncovered for 45 to 60 minutes, until the sauce is thickened and bubbly around the edges, stirring once halfway through. If the sauce gets too thick, stir in a splash of hot water.
  • Rest 10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set. Serve warm.

Notes

For even deeper flavor, swap part of the ketchup for barbecue sauce. The beans thicken as they cool; loosen with a splash of hot water when reheating.