Baked Beans

Baked Beans with Bacon

A sweet and tangy baked bean recipe.  Goes great with any BBQ as a side dish. 

Ingredients:

• 8-10 slices of bacon, diced
• 1 large can (54 oz) pork n’ beans
• 1 large red onion, diced
• ¼ cup mustard
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• ¼ - ½ cup brown sugar (to taste)
• ½ cup ketchup
• Optional: Extra bacon grease

Instructions:

1. Cook the Bacon:

   • In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until it’s crispy.
   • If you have extra bacon grease, you can add a little for additional flavor.

2. Sauté the Onion:

   • Add the diced red onion to the skillet with the bacon. Sauté until the onion is tender and translucent.

3. Prepare the Beans:

   • Lower the heat to medium and stir in the can of pork n’ beans.
   • Add the mustard, maple syrup, brown sugar (starting with ¼ cup), and ketchup. Stir well to combine.

4. Adjust the Flavor:

   • Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning as needed:
     • Sweeter: Add more brown sugar.
     • Tangier: Add more mustard.
     • Richer: Add more ketchup.

5. Cook the Beans:

   • Smoking Option: Transfer the bean mixture to a smoker and smoke at 250°F for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
   • Stovetop Option: Alternatively, simmer the beans on the stove over low heat until they’re thickened and heated through.

6. Garnish:

   • Before serving, garnish with additional chopped fried bacon for extra crunch and flavor.