Description
A quick and easy recipe that captures the smoky, rich flavor of brisket in baked beans with a warm bourbon kick, ready in just 45 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ cups smoked brisket, chopped or shredded (about 225g)
- 2 cans navy beans, 15 oz each (425g each), drained and rinsed
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (about 150g)
- ¼ cup bourbon (60ml)
- ½ cup ketchup (120ml)
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar (50g)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (15ml)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (15ml)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (15ml)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Salt to taste (about ½ teaspoon)
- 1 tablespoon oil (for sautéing onions and garlic)
Instructions
- Chop the onion finely and mince the garlic. Cut the smoked brisket into bite-sized pieces if not already shredded. Measure out bourbon, ketchup, and other sauces.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and smoked paprika, cooking for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- In a mixing bowl or directly in the pan, combine ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, bourbon, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to blend.
- Drain and rinse the canned beans. Add beans and brisket to the skillet, then pour the sauce mixture over everything. Stir gently to coat all ingredients.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and beans absorb smoky bourbon flavor. Add a splash of water or broth if sauce becomes too thick. Adjust salt or bourbon to taste.
- Remove from heat and serve warm. Garnish with fresh parsley or crispy bacon bits if desired.
Notes
Use leftover smoked brisket or deli brisket to save time. Let beans simmer low and slow to develop thick sauce. Adjust bourbon carefully to avoid overpowering. Beans taste better the next day. For more smoky flavor, add extra smoked paprika or liquid smoke. Reheat gently with a splash of water or bourbon to restore sauce consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 480
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 7
- Protein: 18
Keywords: smoked brisket baked beans, bourbon baked beans, quick baked beans, smoky baked beans, barbecue side dish, comfort food