Get ready to elevate your next barbecue or family gathering with these smoky, sweet, and savory Southern Style Baked Beans! This classic comfort food combines tender navy beans with crispy bacon, sautéed onions, and bell peppers, all bathed in a rich sauce made from ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, and a hint of Dijon mustard. Infused with the bold flavors of smoked paprika, chili powder, and Worcestershire sauce, every bite bursts with Southern charm. Slow-baked to perfection, this dish develops a caramelized, velvety texture that pairs beautifully with grilled meats or cornbread. With just 15 minutes of prep and ingredients you likely already have, these hearty baked beans are the ultimate crowd-pleasing side dish for your next cookout or holiday dinner.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Dice the bacon into small pieces and cook in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving about 2 tablespoons of the rendered bacon fat in the skillet.
Finely chop the yellow onion and green bell pepper. Add them to the skillet with the bacon fat. Sauté over medium heat for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir to mix well.
Drain and rinse the canned navy beans, then gently fold them into the mixing bowl along with the sautéed onion and bell pepper mixture, and the cooked bacon.
Transfer the mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Pour the 1 cup of water evenly over the top and gently stir to combine.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes, allowing the top to slightly caramelize and the sauce to thicken.
Remove from the oven and let the baked beans rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Serve warm as a side dish and enjoy!
Calories |
1692 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 22.5 g | 29% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.2 g | 36% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 48 mg | 16% | |
| Sodium | 4925 mg | 214% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 285.1 g | 104% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 56.7 g | 202% | |
| Total Sugars | 63.1 g | ||
| Protein | 96.4 g | 193% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 686 mg | 53% | |
| Iron | 19.9 mg | 111% | |
| Potassium | 4712 mg | 100% | |
*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.