Fourth of July Baked Beans

Perfect for patriotic celebrations and summer barbecues, these Fourth of July Baked Beans are a hearty, smoky-sweet side dish that will steal the show at any gathering. Made with tender navy beans, crispy thick-cut bacon, and a rich homemade sauce featuring molasses, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and a touch of smoked paprika, this recipe delivers bold, comforting flavors in every bite. The addition of sautéed onions and green bell peppers adds a savory depth, while an oven-baked finish ensures a caramelized, thickened sauce that's irresistibly good. Ready in just over an hour, this crowd-pleasing dish pairs beautifully with grilled meats and salads, making it the ultimate companion for Fourth of July cookouts or any festive feast.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 3 cups canned navy beans
• 6 slices thick-cut bacon
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup ketchup
• 0.25 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until it is crispy. Remove the bacon and set it aside on a paper towel to drain, reserving about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet.

Step 3

In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion and green bell pepper in the bacon grease over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, until softened.

Step 4

In a large oven-safe baking dish, combine the navy beans, cooked onion and bell pepper mixture, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, paprika, black pepper, and salt.

Step 5

Crumble the bacon slices into small pieces and stir them into the mixture in the baking dish.

Step 6

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes.

Step 7

Remove the foil, stir the baked beans, and continue baking uncovered for an additional 30 minutes until the sauce thickens and the top is slightly caramelized.

Step 8

Allow the baked beans to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra crumbled bacon, if desired, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1212.3 grams (1212.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1928

Total Fat 42.40g	54%
Saturated Fat 14.00g	70%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 64mg	21%
Sodium 7021mg	305%
Total Carbohydrate 321.90g	117%
Dietary Fiber 44.20g	158%
Total Sugars 140.00g
Protein 72.40g	145%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 606mg	47%
Iron 18mg	97%
Potassium 4133mg	88%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 19.5%

Protein: 14.8%

Carbs: 65.7%