Southern Baked Beans with Bacon (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Main ingredients
01 -
6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
02 -
1 small onion, finely diced
03 -
2 (15 oz) cans pork and beans, undrained
04 -
½ cup ketchup
05 -
¼ cup brown sugar
06 -
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
07 -
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
08 -
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
09 -
½ teaspoon garlic powder
10 -
½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
11 -
Salt, to taste
12 -
Black pepper, to taste
# Instructions:
01 -
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
02 -
In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
03 -
In the same skillet with a small amount of bacon drippings, sauté the diced onion until soft and lightly golden, about 5 minutes.
04 -
In a large mixing bowl, combine the pork and beans, ketchup, brown sugar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, smoked paprika (if using), sautéed onions, and most of the cooked bacon (reserve a portion for topping).
05 -
Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish or oven-safe casserole dish. Sprinkle the reserved bacon on top.
06 -
Bake uncovered for 45–60 minutes, or until the sauce is thick and bubbly and the top becomes slightly caramelized.
# Notes:
01 -
For a smoky flavor, add a few dashes of liquid smoke or use hickory-smoked bacon.
02 -
Can be prepared ahead of time and reheated. The flavors improve the next day.
03 -
For a vegetarian option, omit the bacon and sauté the onion in olive oil.