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Cozy Honey Bourbon Baked Beans Slow Cooker Recipe Easy and Perfect for Summer Parties

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A slow cooker baked beans recipe featuring honey and bourbon for a cozy, smoky, and sweet flavor perfect for summer parties and BBQs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 cups dried navy beans (or great northern beans), soaked overnight or quick-soaked
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped (or turkey bacon for lighter version)
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup bourbon
  • 3/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1.5 cups dried navy beans and soak overnight in cold water covering with 3 inches of water. For quick soak, boil beans for 5 minutes then let sit for 1 hour. Drain and rinse before cooking.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook 4 chopped slices of bacon until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan.
  3. Add 1 medium diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves to the bacon fat. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened and fragrant. Transfer to the slow cooker.
  4. Add soaked beans, 2 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth, cooked bacon, and sautéed onions and garlic to the slow cooker.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup honey, 1/3 cup bourbon, 3/4 cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika. Pour over the beans and stir gently to combine.
  6. Add salt and pepper (start with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper). Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours until beans are tender but not falling apart and sauce thickens.
  7. Taste the beans about 6 hours in and adjust seasoning if needed. For thicker sauce, remove lid and cook on high for another 30 minutes.
  8. Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley or scallions if desired.

Notes

Add a pinch of baking soda early if beans are not softening due to water quality or bean age. Add bourbon off heat to preserve flavor. Adjust seasoning at the end for best flavor balance. Vegetarian version replaces bacon with liquid smoke and extra smoked paprika, using vegetable broth. For thicker sauce, cook uncovered on high for last 30 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, slow cooker, honey bourbon baked beans, summer party side dish, BBQ side, easy baked beans, smoky baked beans

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/cozy-honey-bourbon-baked-beans-slow-cooker-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-summer-parties/