Southern Baked Beans with Bacon: A Flavorful Delight

Southern Baked Beans with Bacon is a quintessential dish that perfectly captures the heart and soul of Southern cooking. This hearty and flavorful recipe combines tender Great Northern beans, savory bacon, and a rich blend of spices and seasonings for a dish that’s sure to please any crowd. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, potluck dinner, or family gathering, these baked beans are guaranteed to be a hit. Plus, we’ll explore keto and low-carb variations to suit different dietary preferences.

Ingredients

• 6 strips of bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 medium onions, diced
• 1 ¼ cup barbecue sauce (homemade or store-bought)
• ¾ cup beer
• ¼ cup light molasses
• 3 tablespoons spicy (or Dijon) mustard
• 2 tablespoons (packed) dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Worcester sauce
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon ketchup
• 1-4 canned chipotle chilies (depending on how spicy you like it!)
• 1/2 seeded jalapeño pepper, minced
• 6 cans Great Northern beans

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the bacon pieces over medium heat until they are browned and crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside, leaving the bacon drippings in the skillet.
3. Sauté the Onions: Add the diced onions to the skillet with the bacon drippings. Sauté the onions until they are soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Prepare the Sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, beer, molasses, mustard, dark brown sugar, Worcester sauce, soy sauce, ketchup, canned chipotle chilies, and minced jalapeño pepper. Stir until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
5. Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked bacon back to the skillet with the sautéed onions. Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the bacon and onions, stirring to combine.
6. Add the Beans: Drain and rinse the Great Northern beans, then add them to the skillet with the bacon and sauce mixture. Gently stir everything together until the beans are evenly coated with the sauce.
7. Bake the Beans: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake the beans, uncovered, for 1 ½ to 2 hours, or until the sauce has thickened and the flavors have melded together.
8. Serve: Once the beans are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. Garnish with additional chopped jalapeño peppers or crispy bacon bits, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

Cook Notes and Variations

• Vegetarian Option: Omit the bacon and substitute vegetable broth for the beer to make this dish vegetarian-friendly.
• Sweetness Level: Adjust the amount of brown sugar and molasses to suit your taste preferences. For a sweeter dish, add more sugar and molasses; for a less sweet dish, reduce the amounts accordingly.
• Spice Level: Adjust the number of canned chipotle chilies and minced jalapeño peppers to control the heat level of the dish. Remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeño peppers for a milder flavor.
• Additional Ingredients: Feel free to add additional ingredients such as diced bell peppers, smoked sausage, or barbecue seasoning to customize the dish to your liking.

Keto Versions and Low-Carb Options

• Low-Carb Sweeteners: Use low-carb sweeteners such as erythritol or stevia in place of brown sugar and molasses to reduce the carb content of the dish.
• Bean Substitute: Substitute canned Great Northern beans with cooked cauliflower florets or diced zucchini for a lower-carb option.
• Beer Substitute: Omit the beer altogether or replace it with chicken or vegetable broth for a keto-friendly version of the recipe.

Southern Baked Beans with Bacon is a classic Southern dish that brings together bold flavors and hearty ingredients to create a memorable and satisfying meal. Whether you’re enjoying it at a summer barbecue, holiday gathering, or weeknight dinner, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. With its savory bacon, sweet and tangy sauce, and tender beans, it’s the ultimate comfort food that’s perfect for any occasion. Plus, with the option to customize the recipe with different spices, sweeteners, and ingredients, you can easily tailor it to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.