Zesty Baked Beans
Bring bold, tangy flavors to your table with this irresistible Zesty Baked Beans recipe, a timeless side dish upgraded with a smoky, spiced twist! Featuring tender navy beans simmered in a rich, sweet-and-savory sauce made from ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, and apple cider vinegar, this dish gets its signature zest from yellow mustard and a dash of cayenne pepper. Fragrant sautéed onions, garlic, and a hint of smoked paprika elevate every bite, while optional crumbled bacon adds a satisfying layer of smoky indulgence. Perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or weeknight dinners, this easy-to-make dish is oven-baked to bubbling perfection with just 15 minutes of prep time. Serve alongside grilled meats or enjoy as a hearty vegetarian option (just skip the bacon!) for a crowd-pleasing dish packed with comfort and flavor.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3 cups canned navy beans
- 0.5 cup ketchup
- 0.25 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 cup bacon (optional, cooked and crumbled)
- 0.5 cup water
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, molasses, smoked paprika, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth.
In a medium skillet over medium heat, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic in a small amount of oil until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the sautéed onion and garlic to the mixing bowl with the sauce mixture, and stir well to combine.
Rinse and drain the canned navy beans, and then gently fold them into the sauce mixture to ensure they are evenly coated.
If using bacon, fold in the crumbled cooked bacon at this step.
Pour the beans and sauce mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
Add the water, and gently stir to ensure the mixture remains moist during baking.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 45-60 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and slightly thickened.
Remove the baked beans from the oven and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
318 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 6.9 g | 9% | |
| Saturated Fat | 2.4 g | 12% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 14 mg | 5% | |
| Sodium | 1049 mg | 46% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 51.2 g | 19% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.3 g | 26% | |
| Total Sugars | 21.4 g | ||
| Protein | 14.9 g | 30% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 112 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 3.4 mg | 19% | |
| Potassium | 732 mg | 16% | |
*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.
