Savor the irresistible blend of flavors in these Sweet and Zesty Baked Beans, the perfect side dish for BBQs, potlucks, or any comfort food feast. This easy-to-make recipe features tender navy beans coated in a rich, homemade sauce made with ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, and a touch of tangy mustard and apple cider vinegar. Smoky crumbled bacon and fragrant onions bring depth to every bite, while a hint of smoked paprika ties it all together. Baked to perfection under a caramelized topping, these beans are hearty, savory, and subtly sweet, making them a crowd-pleasing addition to your table. Ready in just over an hour, this dish marries bold flavors with effortless preparation.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet, leaving about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat. Set the bacon aside to cool, then crumble it into small pieces.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook over medium heat until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sautéed onions and garlic with the ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, ground black pepper, and salt. Stir well to create the sauce.
Transfer the canned navy beans to a large oven-safe baking dish. Pour the sauce mixture over the beans and gently stir until the beans are fully coated. Add the water to the dish and stir to combine.
Sprinkle the crumbled bacon pieces evenly over the top of the beans.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes.
After 40 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes to allow the top to caramelize slightly.
Remove the baked beans from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve warm as a side dish and enjoy the sweet and zesty flavors!
Calories |
1914 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 29.0 g | 37% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.0 g | 50% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 43 mg | 14% | |
| Sodium | 5441 mg | 237% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 335.1 g | 122% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 55.5 g | 198% | |
| Total Sugars | 107.6 g | ||
| Protein | 88.2 g | 176% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 757 mg | 58% | |
| Iron | 21.2 mg | 118% | |
| Potassium | 4851 mg | 103% | |
*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.