Better Than Great Baked Beans
Elevate your next barbecue or comfort food spread with "Better Than Great Baked Beans," a hearty side dish bursting with smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors. These beans are anything but ordinary, featuring tender navy beans baked in a rich sauce made from ketchup, brown sugar, honey, and a touch of Dijon mustard. Crispy bacon, sautéed onions, and green bell peppers enhance the dish with savory depth, while smoked paprika and a splash of apple cider vinegar bring a bold, tangy kick. Slow-baked to caramelized perfection, these beans are ideal for potlucks, picnics, or holiday gatherings. Serve them warm with a sprinkle of crumbled bacon on top for the ultimate crowd-pleasing side dish! Keywords: baked beans recipe, smoky baked beans, barbecue side dish, homemade baked beans with bacon, comfort food recipes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3 cups canned navy beans
- 6 slices bacon
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 1 medium green bell pepper
- 0.75 cup ketchup
- 0.5 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1.5 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings in the skillet.
Dice the yellow onion and green bell pepper. Add them to the skillet with the reserved bacon drippings and sauté over medium heat until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to create a rich, tangy sauce.
Add the navy beans, sautéed onion and bell pepper mixture, and crumbled bacon (reserve a small amount for garnish if desired) to the bowl, then stir to coat everything evenly with the sauce.
Pour the mixture into a lightly greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly with a spatula.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
After 1 hour, remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 30 minutes, or until the top is slightly caramelized and bubbly.
Remove the baked beans from the oven and let them cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with reserved crumbled bacon if desired.
Serve warm and enjoy the smoky, sweet, and savory goodness!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
329 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 3.8 g | 5% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.2 g | 6% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 8 mg | 3% | |
| Sodium | 767 mg | 33% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 64.0 g | 23% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.4 g | 27% | |
| Total Sugars | 34.1 g | ||
| Protein | 12.8 g | 26% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 104 mg | 8% | |
| Iron | 3.2 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 662 mg | 14% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
