Brown Sugar Baked Beans with Bacon
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Aug. 15, 2024
These Brown Sugar Baked Beans with Bacon are the perfect blend of sweet, salty, and a little bit of smoky at the same time! They’re beyond easy and one of our favorite side dishes to take to summer potlucks and barbecues!
In This Article
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Why This Recipe Stands Out
Who doesn’t love a classic, flavorful side dish? Our Brown Sugar Baked Beans with Bacon is a guaranteed hit at any gathering! Here’s why we love this recipe:
- Super Easy: This recipe uses canned beans, so it’s a snap to put together. That means you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your family and friends.
- Perfect BBQ Side: Like our Beet Salad Recipe, the combination of sweet and savory flavors makes this side dish the perfect accompaniment to burgers, ribs, chicken, and more.
- Crowd-Pleaser: The sweet, smoky flavor of these beans will have everyone coming back for more. They even convert people who aren’t normally fans of baked beans!
- Kid-Approved: Even our pickiest eaters love these beans. Plus, the bacon makes them practically irresistible, as it does in our Cheesy Bacon Pull-Aparts!
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Canned Beans – These form the base of our dish. We recommend using good quality canned beans, such as Bush’s Country Style, for their delicious flavor and texture.
- Thick-Cut Bacon – The cooked and crumbled bacon not only adds a smoky, savory flavor to the beans but also provides a satisfying crunch in every bite.
- Brown Sugar – It adds a sweet, caramel-like flavor that balances the savory notes of the beans and bacon.
- Mustard Powder – It provides a subtle, underlying heat and tanginess that takes the flavor profile of the beans to the next level.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few of our favorite substitutions and variations:
- Meat: While we love the smoky, salty flavor that bacon adds to these beans, feel free to substitute it with diced ham or even sausage.
- Sweetener: Instead of brown sugar, you can use maple syrup to sweeten your baked beans. It’ll elevate the dish, as it does in our Maple Glazed Pork Chops.
- Spices: The combination of brown sugar, mustard powder, and ketchup gives these baked beans their classic sweet and tangy flavor. Feel free to play around with the spices and adjust them to your liking.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a dish except for bacon.
- Sprinkle crumbled bacon on top and bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes. Serve warm.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How to Prep Ahead
Take a look at our favorite prep-ahead tips for this recipe:
- Prep the Ingredients: Take the time to chop onions, cook and crumble the bacon, and measure out the rest of the ingredients. You can store these prepped ingredients in the fridge for up to 2 days before using them in the recipe.
- Make It a Day Ahead: This dish tastes even better the next day, so feel free to make the entire recipe in advance. Simply let it cool, then store it in an airtight container.
What To Serve With Brown Sugar Baked Beans
Protein
- These beans are a classic side for your favorite barbecue dishes and are especially delicious with burgers, more burgers, baby back ribs, or whatever you’re grillin’ up.
- They also pair well with Grilled Chicken Breast and Steak, making them a great choice for a summer cookout.
- If you’re smoking a brisket or some ribs, these beans will make the perfect accompaniment. Try our Easy Slow Cooker Smoked Brisket recipe.
Potatoes
- Potato salad is a classic barbecue side, and it goes great with these beans. Try this Potato Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette.
- If you’re looking for a potato casserole side, we highly recommend this Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping.
Cornbread
- Cornbread is a natural pairing for baked beans, and you’ll love this Sweet Potato Cornbread recipe. It’s especially great for sopping up all the delicious sauce.
- Try baking a batch of this Sweet Honey Cornbread to go with your beans.
Commonly Asked Questions
What type of beans should I use for this recipe?
For this brown sugar baked beans with bacon recipe, we recommend using 2 cans of good quality baked beans, 29 oz each. We particularly like using Bush’s Country-Style baked beans for this dish.
Can I use any type of bacon?
You can use any type of bacon for this recipe, but we recommend using 4 slices of thick-cut bacon. It cooks up beautifully and adds a nice, smoky flavor to the dish.
How long do the baked beans with bacon keep?
The baked beans with bacon can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just make sure to store them in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and flavor.
Did you make this?
Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!
Brown Sugar Baked Beans with Bacon
These Brown Sugar Baked Beans with Bacon are the perfect blend of sweet, salty, and a little bit of smoky at the same time! They're beyond easy and one of our favorite side dishes to take to summer potlucks and barbecues!
Ingredients
- 58 oz baked beans, Bush's Country Style is great
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 3 TB brown sugar
- 2 tsp mustard powder
- 3 TB ketchup
- 2 TB onion powder, or dried minced onion
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Set oven to 350F, with rack on lower middle position.
- Combine all ingredients, except for bacon, in a serving dish of your choice. Stir to fully incorporate ingredients.
- Sprinkle crumbled bacon evenly on top. Cover and place in oven for 15-20 minutes or until dish is hot. Serve warm.
Notes
- Always use good quality baked beans for this recipe. Bush’s Country Style baked beans work great and have a delicious flavor that complements the other ingredients.
- Cook your bacon until it’s nice and crispy. This will give your baked beans a wonderful crunch and a rich, smoky flavor.
- Don’t skip the brown sugar. It adds a lovely sweetness that balances the savory and smoky flavors in the dish.
- Mustard powder adds a nice tangy kick that takes the dish to the next level.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of ketchup to suit your personal preference. It adds a hint of acidity and a touch of sweetness.
- Onion powder or dried minced onion is a convenient way to add savory onion flavor without the need for chopping and sauté.
- Freshly ground black pepper is a must. It adds a little heat and a lot of depth to the dish.
- Serve your brown sugar baked beans with bacon warm for the best flavor. It’s the perfect accompaniment to burgers, more burgers, baby back ribs, chicken, or whatever you’re grillin’ up.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 129kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 389mg | Potassium: 279mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg
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