Description
Smoky, sweet BBQ Baked Beans elevate classic comfort cuisine with a rich blend of bacon, molasses, and tangy sauce. Hearty flavors meld together, creating a crowd-pleasing side dish perfect for summer gatherings and backyard barbecues you’ll savor to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 6 strips bacon (chopped small)
Vegetables:
- 1 small onion (finely diced)
Sauces and Seasonings:
- 2 28 ounces (794 grams) cans original baked beans (do not drain)
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Prepare the oven to 350°F and lightly coat a 9×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Render bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp and golden, then transfer to a paper towel to drain excess fat.
- Utilize the same skillet with residual bacon drippings to sauté onions until they become soft and translucent.
- Amalgamate baked beans with crispy bacon pieces, caramelized onions, tangy BBQ sauce, rich brown sugar, sharp vinegar, and zesty Dijon mustard in a large mixing bowl.
- Transfer the robust bean mixture into the prepared baking dish, ensuring even distribution.
- Roast uncovered in the preheated oven for 60 minutes, gently stirring midway to promote uniform heating and prevent surface burning.
- Extract from oven and allow a brief resting period to let flavors meld and settle before serving hot.
Notes
- Select thick-cut bacon for maximum flavor and crispy texture, ensuring it renders enough fat for sautéing onions.
- Consider using low-sodium BBQ sauce to control salt content and customize sweetness levels for different taste preferences.
- Experiment with different bean varieties like navy, pinto, or mixed beans to create unique flavor profiles and accommodate dietary restrictions.
- For vegetarian version, replace bacon with smoked paprika or liquid smoke to maintain deep, rich barbecue undertones without meat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg