Instructions:
- Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the bacon:
- In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until it’s crispy. Remove the bacon pieces and set them aside on a paper towel to drain. Leave about 1-2 tablespoons of the bacon grease in the skillet.
- Sauté the onion:
- In the same skillet with the bacon grease, add the diced onion. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, or until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Prepare the bean mixture:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the baked beans, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and garlic powder. Stir in the sautéed onions and most of the cooked bacon (reserve some bacon for garnish).
- Bake the beans:
- Pour the mixture into a casserole dish or a baking dish. Spread it out evenly.
- Bake uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the beans are bubbly and the sauce has thickened.
- Garnish and serve:
- Remove from the oven and let the baked beans cool for a few minutes. Sprinkle the reserved crispy bacon on top before serving.
Tips:
- Extra smoky flavor: Add a dash of liquid smoke or smoked paprika to enhance the smoky taste.
- Spicy kick: For a little heat, you can add a chopped jalapeño or a teaspoon of hot sauce to the bean mixture.
These Brown Sugar and Bacon Baked Beans are sweet, smoky, and rich, perfect for pairing with grilled meats or as a comforting side dish on their own.