Baked Beans with Sausage

Ingredients

• 2 slices thick cut bacon, fried and diced

• 1 large yellow onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic minced

• 1 (12 to 14 ounces) smoked pork sausage, like Andouille, sliced

• 1 quart cooked beans (red, black, whatever)

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

• 3 tablespoons light brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1 tablespoon mustard

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

• 1 cup broth (bean, vegetable, or chicken)

Instructions

1. Set a dutch oven or a large pot over medium heat and let it warm up.

2. When hot, add the diced bacon and cook until crispy (if not already pre-cooked).

3. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon; do not discard bacon grease.

4. Add onions to the bacon grease and cook for 2 minutes.

5. Stir in garlic and cook for 15 seconds.

6. Add sliced sausage; continue to cook for 6 minutes, or until browned on all sides.

7. Stir in the beans and season with salt and pepper.

8. Add brown sugar, tomato paste, honey, mustard, and vinegar; mix and stir until well incorporated.

9. Add bacon back into the pot and continue cooking for 5 to 8 minutes, or until hot and thickened.

10. Remove from heat.

11. Taste for seasonings and adjust accordingly.