Brown Sugar Bacon Beans

Ingredients

• Beans: 2 cans (15 oz each) of your choice of beans (pinto beans, navy beans, or a mix)
• Bacon: 6-8 strips of bacon, chopped
• Brown Sugar: 1/2 cup
• Onion: 1 medium onion, diced
• Ketchup: 1/2 cup
• Mustard: 1 tablespoon (yellow or Dijon)
• Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
• Worcestershire Sauce: 1 tablespoon
• Black Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt: To taste
• Optional: 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder or cayenne pepper for a kick

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the Bacon:
   In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and drain on paper towels. Leave a bit of the bacon fat in the skillet for flavor.
3. Sauté the Onion and Garlic:
   In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
4. Combine Ingredients:
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked bacon, sautéed onion and garlic, drained beans, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and salt. If you’re using chili powder or cayenne, add that as well.
5. Transfer to Baking Dish:
   Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
6. Bake:
   Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes, or until bubbly and heated through.
7. Serve:
   Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your Brown Sugar Bacon Beans as a delicious side dish!

Tips

• You can experiment with different types of beans for varied flavors and textures.
• For a smoky flavor, consider adding some smoked paprika or using smoked bacon.
• If you don’t have bacon, you can substitute with turkey bacon or a vegetarian alternative for a healthier twist.

This dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser! Enjoy your cooking!