Skillet Baked Beans
Transform your summer barbecue or cozy family dinner with these irresistibly smoky, sweet, and tangy Skillet Baked Beans. Packed with hearty navy beans, crispy bacon, and a rich, homemade sauce boasting layers of flavor from ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, and Dijon mustard, this one-skillet wonder comes together with simplicity and flair. Infused with the earthy warmth of smoked paprika and balanced by the zing of apple cider vinegar, these baked beans are simmered to perfection in a cast iron skillet for maximum depth of flavor and a thick, glossy texture. Ready in under an hour with minimal prep, this dish is perfect as a savory side or a comforting main alongside crusty bread. Whether you’re firing up the grill or seeking a quick, flavorful comfort food fix, Skillet Baked Beans are sure to steal the spotlight.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 3 cups canned navy beans
- 1 cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 0.5 cup water
Instructions
Place a large cast iron or oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon slices and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Leave 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet and discard the rest.
Dice the yellow onion and mince the garlic cloves while the bacon cools. Once the bacon is cool, chop it into small pieces and set aside.
In the same skillet with the bacon grease, add the diced onion. Sauté over medium heat until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Reduce the heat to low. Add the navy beans, ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, molasses, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, ground black pepper, and water to the skillet. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
Fold in the chopped bacon pieces, then increase the heat to medium and allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer.
Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and let the beans cook uncovered for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the flavors to develop and the sauce to thicken.
Taste and adjust seasoning, adding a bit more vinegar or sugar if desired for a perfect balance of tangy and sweet.
Remove the skillet from the heat. Allow the beans to rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken further.
Serve warm as a side dish or enjoy on its own with crusty bread or a green salad.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1708 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 32.0 g | 41% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.7 g | 43% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 63 mg | 21% | |
| Sodium | 4643 mg | 202% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 280.9 g | 102% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 42.1 g | 150% | |
| Total Sugars | 99.6 g | ||
| Protein | 82.3 g | 165% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 549 mg | 42% | |
| Iron | 15.4 mg | 86% | |
| Potassium | 3708 mg | 79% | |
*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.
