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Cozy Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Bourbon Baked Beans

slow cooker brown sugar bourbon baked beans - featured image
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A comforting and easy slow cooker baked beans recipe featuring brown sugar and bourbon for a sweet, smoky flavor perfect for parties and cozy gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 (28-ounce) cans navy beans or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup cooked bacon, chopped (can substitute smoked sausage)
  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup bourbon
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons molasses (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

Instructions

  1. Chop the cooked bacon into bite-sized pieces. Dice the onion finely and mince the garlic. Optionally, sauté onion and garlic in a bit of oil until translucent for extra flavor.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar, bourbon, ketchup, Dijon mustard, molasses (if using), apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt until smooth and glossy.
  3. Add the drained and rinsed beans to the slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the beans, then sprinkle chopped bacon, onions, and garlic on top. Stir gently to combine without mashing the beans.
  4. Cover and cook on low heat for 4 to 6 hours. Check at 4 hours for tenderness and sauce thickness.
  5. Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or a splash of bourbon if desired. If sauce is too thin, cook uncovered on high for 20-30 minutes to thicken.
  6. Serve warm.

Notes

Rinse canned beans to remove excess sodium and starch. Use cooked bacon to avoid greasy beans. Slow cook on low for best texture. Adjust seasoning at the end to avoid toughening beans. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and bourbon, add smoked paprika or liquid smoke, and substitute maple syrup for brown sugar. Can also be cooked on stovetop in a Dutch oven for 1.5 to 2 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker baked beans, bourbon baked beans, brown sugar baked beans, party side dish, comfort food, easy baked beans, slow cooker recipes

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