Bourbon Baked Beans
Elevate your barbecue spread with these rich and smoky Bourbon Baked Beans, the ultimate side dish packed with bold flavors and comforting textures. This recipe transforms humble navy beans into a showstopping dish, thanks to a combination of crispy thick-cut bacon, sautéed onions, and a luscious sauce infused with bourbon, molasses, and smoked paprika. Slow-baked to perfection, the beans are coated in a caramelized glaze with just the right balance of tangy, sweet, and savory notes. Perfect for backyard gatherings and holiday feasts alike, these oven-baked beans pair beautifully with grilled meats or cornbread. Whether you're hosting a crowd or simply craving a hearty side, this easy-to-follow recipe delivers full-bodied flavor in every bite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3 cups canned navy beans (drained and rinsed)
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 0.5 cup ketchup
- 0.25 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 0.25 cup bourbon
- 0.5 cup water
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
Drain excess bacon fat from the skillet, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the pan.
Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté over medium heat until it softens and becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
Add the tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, smoked paprika, cumin, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
Pour in the bourbon and water, stirring to incorporate. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Add the drained and rinsed navy beans to the skillet and gently fold them into the sauce until evenly coated.
Add the cooked bacon back into the skillet and stir to combine.
Cover the skillet or Dutch oven with a lid or aluminum foil, then transfer it to the preheated oven.
Bake the beans in the oven for 90 minutes, stirring once halfway through cooking.
After 90 minutes, remove the lid or foil and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes to let the sauce thicken and caramelize slightly.
Remove the skillet from the oven and allow the beans to cool for 5–10 minutes before serving.
Serve warm as a side dish and enjoy the rich, smoky flavor of your Bourbon Baked Beans.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1448 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 42.6 g | 55% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.7 g | 64% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 60 mg | 20% | |
| Sodium | 3972 mg | 173% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 216.0 g | 79% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 36.7 g | 131% | |
| Total Sugars | 96.9 g | ||
| Protein | 67.2 g | 134% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 465 mg | 36% | |
| Iron | 15.0 mg | 83% | |
| Potassium | 3227 mg | 69% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
