Maple Baked Beans

Ingredients

• 3 slices bacon, diced
• 1 large Vidalia onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• Pinch red pepper flakes
• 4 (15-ounce) cans white beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• 1 cup porter-style beer
• 1/2 cup real maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 3 dashes hot sauce
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Add bacon to a large Dutch oven over medium heat and cook until fat is rendered and bacon has begun to crisp.

Add onions, garlic, and red pepper flakes and saute until tender, about 4 minutes. Stir in the beans, tomatoes, brown sugar, thyme leaves, beer, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, hot sauce, salt, and pepper and bring to a simmer.

Remove from the stovetop and bake uncovered 45 minutes until the mixture begins to bubble and thicken. Check at 30 minutes and add 1/2 cup water or chicken broth if it looks like it getting too dry.