Sweet Preacher Baked Beans

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried beans (e.g. cranberry, pinto, navy)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ lb thick-cut bacon slices (or ½ pound slab bacon), cut into ½-inch cubes
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1½ cups crushed tomatoes
• ⅓ cup dark brown sugar
• ¼ cup Sweet Preacher seasoning
• 1½ tablespoons Dijon
• 4 bay leaves (preferably fresh)
• 4 thyme sprigs
• 2 cups water
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• Hot sauce, such as Crystal or Cholula, as desired
• Salt and freshly ground pepper, as needed