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Brown Sugar Baked Beans with Bacon

These brown sugar baked beans with bacon deliver sweet, smoky goodness with crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and a rich, molasses-kissed sauce. This versatile side dish pairs beautifully with barbecue, burgers, or grilled chicken and is mostly hands-off—simply mix, bake, and enjoy.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon chopped
  • 1 medium onion finely diced
  • 3 cans (15 oz each) baked beans undrained
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons molasses or honey
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika optional, for depth
  • to taste salt and black pepper

Equipment

  • Large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven
  • Slotted spoon
  • 9×13 baking dish (optional)

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  2. In a large oven‐safe skillet or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp. Once done, use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon bits and set them aside. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan to retain the flavor.
  3. Add the finely diced onion to the bacon fat and sauté for about 3–4 minutes until softened and slightly golden.
  4. Stir in the 3 undrained cans of baked beans, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons yellow mustard, 2 tablespoons of molasses or honey, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and the 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika. Mix in half of the reserved bacon bits, setting aside the remaining for garnish.
  5. Transfer the entire mixture (either in the same skillet if oven-safe or into a 9×13 baking dish) and bake uncovered in the preheated oven for about 1 hour.
  6. Halfway through the baking time, give the beans a gentle stir to ensure even cooking. When finished, sprinkle the remaining bacon bits on top to add a final touch of smoky crunch.

Notes

These brown sugar baked beans with bacon are a crowd-pleasing side dish that combine pantry staples into a sweet and savory masterpiece. The slow baking process allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a slightly caramelized top that is irresistible. For variations, you can swap bacon for turkey bacon or ham, or even add a dash of liquid smoke for a vegetarian twist. This dish pairs well with classic barbecue mains and is perfect for gatherings as it can be made ahead and reheats nicely.