Kickin Bourbon Baked Beans

Recipe Introduction: Kickin' Bourbon Baked Beans

Fancy something special? I was thinking, what sides for ribs could possibly match their smoky, saucy glory? Baked beans, of course! This ain't your average baked bean recipe.

It's smoky, sweet, with a little bourbon kick.

The Story Behind the Beans

Baked beans are a staple in American BBQ culture. This recipe gives it a boozy twist, for a perfect BBQ side dish .

It’s super easy to make and takes about 2 hours 50 minutes from start to finish. You will end up with 8 generous servings.

What Makes These Beans So Good?

These beans are packed with flavor, and the bourbon adds a unique warmth. They are also loaded with fiber, thanks to all those lovely beans! Serve them at your next barbecue as one of the perfect sides for ribs .

Honestly? Everyone will be begging for the recipe. This is one of the Easy side dishes for ribs .

Kickin Bourbon Baked Beans Recipe Card

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:02 Hrs 30 Mins

Servings:8 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454g) dried navy beans, rinsed
• 8 cups (1.9L) water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 6 slices bacon, diced
• 1 large onion, chopped (approx. 1 cup)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup (120ml) bourbon
• 1 cup (240ml) ketchup
• 1/2 cup (120ml) brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup (60ml) molasses
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

• Combine beans, water, and salt in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour, or until beans are almost tender.
• While the beans are simmering, cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside, reserving the bacon grease. Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook in bacon grease until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
• Carefully pour bourbon into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let the bourbon simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
• In a large bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, smoked paprika, and black pepper.
• Drain the beans, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Combine the beans, bourbon mixture, sauce, and cooked bacon in the large pot or Dutch oven. Add the reserved bean liquid. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 1 hour, or up to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened. Add salt to taste.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:420

Fat:15g

Fiber:15g

Recipe Info

Category:Side Dish

Cuisine:American

Let's Talk Ingredients: Perfect Sides For Ribs Start Here

Ready to gather your bits and bobs? Here's what you'll need:

• Dried navy beans, water, and salt for the beans themselves.
• Bacon, onion, and garlic for that savoury base.
• Bourbon, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, smoked paprika, and pepper to make the magic happen.

You'll also need a large pot or Dutch oven and a skillet. This Smoker Side Dish is super easy to prepare.

Best Sides For Smoked Ribs These are just some of the Classic rib sides to enjoy with your friends and family.

Alright, let's get down to business, yeah? Ribs are fab. But, perfect sides for ribs can take things up a notch.

Trust me, I've been there. Countless backyard BBQs and potlucks. You need bbq side dishes that complement those ribs!

Ingredients & Equipment

Seriously, getting your ingredients right makes all the difference.

Main Ingredients

• Dried Navy Beans: 1 pound (454g) . You want nice, plump beans. Avoid shriveled ones.
• Water: 8 cups (1.9L) . Just regular tap water is fine.
• Salt: 1 teaspoon . Standard table salt will do.
• Bacon: 6 slices . Look for thick-cut bacon. It adds so much flavour!
• Onion: 1 large (approx. 1 cup) . Yellow or white onions work well.
• Garlic: 2 cloves . Fresh is always best, honestly.
• Bourbon: 1/2 cup (120ml) . I like Kentucky bourbon! A little spice is good.
• Ketchup: 1 cup (240ml) . Heinz is a classic.
• Brown Sugar: 1/2 cup (120ml) , packed. Light or dark, your call.
• Molasses: 1/4 cup (60ml) . Adds a rich sweetness.
• Worcestershire Sauce: 2 tablespoons (30ml) . A must for depth of flavour!
• Yellow Mustard: 1 tablespoon (15ml) . Adds a tangy kick.
• Smoked Paprika: 1 teaspoon . Essential for that smoky smoker side dish flavour.
• Black Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon . Freshly ground, if you've got it!
• Salt: To taste.

I remember one time I used really cheap ketchup. Big mistake! The beans tasted…off. Spend a bit more on quality ketchup, seriously. It matters.

Seasoning Notes

Smoked paprika is key. Don't skip it! Worcestershire sauce is a game-changer. Want a side with ribs with kick? Add a pinch of cayenne.

Brown sugar and molasses? Classic easy side dishes for ribs combo! If you're out of Worcestershire, soy sauce works in a pinch, but it's not the same.

Equipment Needed

You don't need fancy equipment for these. A large pot or Dutch oven is essential. A large skillet is handy for cooking the bacon and onions.

Then, measuring cups and spoons. That’s it. If you don't have a Dutch oven, a regular large pot will work.

The heat needs to be nice and even.

Honestly, I love this recipe because it’s so simple. It’s basically a dump-and-simmer situation. Perfect for a lazy Sunday BBQ. And they are classic rib sides for a reason.

Kickin' Bourbon Baked Beans: The Ultimate Side For Ribs

Oh my gosh, I'm so stoked to share this recipe. Honestly, finding the perfect sides for ribs is an art form.

You need something bold, something that stands up to the smoky flavour of the ribs, but doesn't overpower them. These Kickin' Bourbon Baked Beans are just that! They're the Best sides for smoked ribs and you'll understand why.

These beans are like a warm hug but with a boozy twist. Think smoky, sweet, with just a hint of Kentucky swagger. Forget boring beans, this is proper BBQ grub.

Prep Steps: Mise en Place & Safety First

Firstly, let's get organised. Dice your 6 slices of bacon . Chop your 1 large onion . Mince 2 cloves of garlic .

Rinse your 1 pound of dried navy beans . It makes things so much easier, you know? Safety-wise, be careful when using bourbon, especially near the hob.

Keep kids away and always pour slowly.

Step-by-Step to Bean Bliss

1. Soak those beans! Pop those navy beans, 8 cups of water , and 1 teaspoon of salt in a big pot. Bring it to a boil, then simmer for 1 hour , or until almost tender.
2. Bacon time! Fry that diced bacon in a pan until crispy. Take it out, but keep that lovely bacon grease. Cook the onion in the bacon grease until soft, then add garlic for another minute.
3. Boozy goodness! Pour in 1/2 cup of bourbon . Scrape up all the yummy bits at the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 2- 3 minutes .
4. Sauce it up! Mix 1 cup ketchup , 1/2 cup brown sugar , 1/4 cup molasses , 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce , 1 tablespoon mustard , 1 teaspoon smoked paprika , and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a bowl.
5. Mix and simmer! Drain your beans, saving 1 cup of the liquid. Combine everything in the pot: beans, bourbon mixture, sauce, and bacon. Simmer on low for 1 to 1. 5 hours , stirring now and then, until lovely and thick. Add salt to taste.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Sides For Ribs

• Don't skip soaking the beans. Seriously. You can quick-soak if you are short on time. Just boil them for 2 minutes , and let them sit for 1 hour .
• Go low and slow. The longer the simmer, the better the flavour. Keep the heat low!
• Use decent bourbon. You don't need the fancy stuff, but a good Kentucky bourbon will do the trick!

Honestly, what's great about this dish is that it delivers Easy side dishes for ribs that are also packed with flavour.

Whether you're planning a huge BBQ or a simple family dinner, this Ribs side dish idea will be a winner.

It's a Classic rib side for a reason!

Recipe Notes

These Kickin' Bourbon Baked Beans are more than just a side. They're a flavor explosion, perfect for classic rib sides .

Honestly, they might just steal the show! Let's dive into some tips and tricks to make these beans the star of your next BBQ.

They're definitely in the running for best sides for smoked ribs .

Serving Suggestions: Plate It Up!

Think about presentation. A rustic bowl overflowing with these beans next to a pile of smoky ribs? Bangin'. A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a touch of green.

For perfect sides for ribs , you gotta have BBQ side dishes that complement, not compete! Creamy coleslaw is a winner.

And cornbread. Oh my gosh, cornbread! Wash it all down with iced tea or a cold one!

Storage Tips: Keepin' It Fresh

Leftover beans are a gift! Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. They'll be good for about 3-4 days.

Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Want to freeze them? Go for it! Portion them out in freezer-safe bags or containers.

When reheating from frozen, thaw them overnight in the fridge first. They'll taste just as good.

Variations: Mix It Up!

Got dietary restrictions? No worries! For a vegetarian version, ditch the bacon. Use some smoked paprika to mimic that smoky flavour.

Need a gluten-free option? Easy! Just make sure your Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free. Maple syrup can replace molasses for a different kind of sweetness.

I have swapped out maple syrup more than once, with fantastic results.

Nutrition Basics: Goodness in a Bowl

These beans are packed with protein and fibre. They've got slow-releasing carbs for sustained energy. Sure, they've got some sugar and sodium.

But hey, it's a treat! Beans are a great source of plant-based protein. And fibre keeps you feeling full and satisfied.

Plus, that bourbon adds a certain... je ne sais quoi.

I've made these beans so many times now. They're always a crowd-pleaser. Remember, easy side dishes for ribs don't have to be boring.

So get creative, have fun, and enjoy the process! What to serve with ribs? These bad boys for sure! You will also find fantastic sides for ribs ideas online, or use my recipe and impress your friends at potluck sides for ribs .