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Savory Brown Sugar Baked Beans Recipe with Caramelized Onions

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A comforting and flavorful baked beans recipe featuring slow caramelized onions and a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Easy to prepare and ideal for BBQs, weeknights, or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cans Great Northern Beans (15 oz / 425 g each)
  • 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (50 g), packed
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup water or reserved bean liquid (60 ml)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Heat the unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced yellow onions and a pinch of salt. Stir frequently and cook for 20-25 minutes until the onions are golden brown and soft, with a sweet aroma.
  3. While the onions cook, drain and rinse the Great Northern beans under cold water.
  4. In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Stir well until smooth.
  5. Add the caramelized onions to the drained beans and gently fold in the sauce mixture. If the mixture feels too thick, add 1/4 cup (60 ml) of water or reserved bean liquid to loosen it slightly.
  6. Pour the mixture into your baking dish and spread evenly. Cover loosely with foil.
  7. Bake for 30-35 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. For a thicker crust, remove the foil for the last 10 minutes.
  8. Taste before serving and adjust salt and pepper if necessary.

Notes

To speed up caramelizing onions, add a teaspoon of baking soda but be careful not to overdo it to avoid mushy onions. For vegan version, substitute butter with olive oil and use vegan Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days and freeze well with slight texture changes.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, brown sugar baked beans, caramelized onions, savory baked beans, BBQ side dish, vegetarian baked beans, easy baked beans recipe

Find it online: https://islatable.com/savory-brown-sugar-baked-beans-recipe-with-caramelized-onions-easy-and-perfect/