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Savory Maple Bacon Baked Beans Recipe Easy Smoky Sweet Glaze

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A comforting and flavorful baked beans recipe featuring a smoky sweet glaze made with maple syrup and bacon. Perfect for backyard barbecues and quick weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups dried navy beans or great northern beans, soaked overnight (or 6 cups canned, drained and rinsed for a shortcut)
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon or yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt to taste (start with 1 teaspoon)
  • 3 cups water or broth (vegetable or chicken broth recommended)

Instructions

  1. Rinse dried beans under cold water. Place in a large bowl and cover with 3 inches of water. Soak overnight (8–12 hours). If using canned beans, skip soaking and reduce baking time.
  2. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
  3. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy and fat is released, about 7-8 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving fat behind.
  4. Add diced onion to bacon fat and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  5. In a medium bowl, whisk together maple syrup, tomato paste, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, mustard, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Pour into the pot with onions and garlic and stir to combine.
  6. Drain soaked beans and add to the Dutch oven. Pour in 3 cups broth or water, stir, and bring to a simmer on the stove for about 5 minutes.
  7. Cover Dutch oven with lid and bake in preheated oven for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring halfway through. Check beans for tenderness; add more water if needed to maintain saucy consistency.
  8. Stir reserved crispy bacon back into the beans just before serving.

Notes

For thicker glaze, remove lid during last 20 minutes of baking. Add more liquid during baking if beans look dry. Use turkey bacon for leaner option or omit bacon for vegetarian version with smoked paprika and liquid smoke. Slow cooker adaptation: brown bacon and onions, then cook on low 6-8 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, maple syrup, bacon, smoky sweet glaze, easy side dish, backyard barbecue, comfort food

Find it online: https://sagestirs.com/savory-maple-bacon-baked-beans-recipe-easy-smoky-sweet-glaze/