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Savory Cowboy Baked Beans

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A hearty and flavorful baked beans recipe featuring smoky crispy bacon, brown sugar caramelization, and a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Ideal for BBQs and potlucks, this recipe delivers a comforting cowboy-style side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups cooked Great Northern beans or Navy beans (or two 15-ounce cans drained and rinsed)
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/2 cup water or low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cook the chopped bacon in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat until crispy, about 7–9 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside on paper towels. Leave bacon fat in the pan.
  3. Add diced onion to the bacon fat and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Stir in tomato paste, smoked paprika, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes to deepen flavors.
  5. Add cooked beans and brown sugar to the pan. Pour in water or chicken broth and stir gently to combine.
  6. Return crispy bacon to the pot and stir to distribute evenly.
  7. Place the skillet or Dutch oven in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 45 minutes. Add a splash of water halfway through baking if mixture looks too dry.
  8. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and sauce to thicken.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, replace bacon with smoked tempeh or add a teaspoon of liquid smoke. To add a spicy kick, include diced jalapeños or cayenne pepper. If beans are too saucy after baking, simmer gently on stovetop to thicken. Use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce for gluten-free adaptation. A slow cooker method is possible by browning bacon and sautéing onions first, then cooking all ingredients on low for 4–5 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, cowboy beans, savory beans, BBQ side dish, bacon baked beans, smoky beans, potluck recipe

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/savory-cowboy-baked-beans-recipe-5-easy-steps-for-perfect-flavor/