Bourbon Baked Beans Recipe

ABOUT THIS RECIPE

Great as a barbecue side or as dinner's main feature with a warm piece of cornbread, these slow-cooked baked beans are rich and creamy with a pleasant touch of smoke. And, of course there's bourbon in them! Maker's Mark and ginger ale add a light sweetness that plays well against that tanginess. As if all that weren't enough, the beans are topped with a crisp, buttery crumble.

PREPARATION TIMES

Preparation Time: 60 minutes, or overnight
Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb. dried pinto or white beans
• 1/4 lb. of bacon, cut into medium dice
• 1 white onion diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed
• 3/4 cup Homemade Maker's Mark BBQ sauce
• 6 oz. (4 shots) Maker's Mark Bourbon
• 1 can of ginger ale
• 4 cups pork or chicken stock

FOR TOPPING TO FINISH:

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 3 tbsp. butter
• 3 oz. country ham, chopped

PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1 | Soak beans overnight
• Soak dried beans for at least 1 hour or overnight.

STEP 2 | Preheat oven and prepare bacon
• While preheating oven to 325 degrees, brown bacon on the stove over medium heat in an oven-safe pot or Dutch oven.

STEP 3 | Add onion and garlic
• When almost crispy, add onion and garlic and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.

STEP 4 | Mix beans in
• Drain your beans and add to the bacon mixture.

STEP 5 | Drop in the remaining ingredients
• Add Maker's Mark BBQ sauce, Maker's Mark Bourbon and ginger ale. Mix well, and then add the pork or chicken stock.

STEP 6 | Bake with lid
• Cover pot, place in oven and bake for 1 hour.

STEP 7 | Remove lid and bake
• Uncover and bake another 30 minutes or until beans are tender and a crust has begun to form on top of the dish.

FOR THE CRUMB
TOPPING:

HOW TO CRAFT

STEP 1 | Mix ingredients over heat

STEP 2 | Stir until brown
• Stir constantly until lightly brown, about 5 minutes.

STEP 3 | Add the crumble
• Remove beans from oven and top with the crumble before serving.

TIPS, TOOLS & TECHNIQUES

Some people enjoy crispy, caramelized baked beans. Others prefer a more soupy, saucy version. If you're in the former group, try cooking them a little longer with the lid off. You might also try placing them under the broiler after adding the crumble to get a nice bubbly, crunchy char going on top. If you're the saucy type, add additional liquid like stock or water during cooking. Beans will continue to absorb flavor over time, so storing the finished product overnight will add richness and thickness. Lastly, an additional splash of Maker's Mark at the end really punches up the caramel flavor.

BOURBON BAKED BEANS