Fourth of July Beans

Celebrate summer cookouts with these irresistible Fourth of July Beans—a hearty, flavor-packed side dish that’s perfect for any festive gathering! Tender navy beans are simmered in a rich, smoky-sweet sauce made with ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, and a touch of apple cider vinegar for a tangy kick. Crispy bacon and sautéed onions bring a savory depth, while smoked paprika and chili powder add subtle heat and smoky undertones. After baking to perfection, these beans are bubbling, thickened, and irresistibly caramelized. Ready in just over an hour and ideal for barbecues and potlucks, this crowd-pleasing recipe captures the essence of summer gatherings. Perfect keywords: smoky baked beans, Fourth of July side dishes, sweet and tangy beans recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 8 slices Bacon
• 1 medium, diced White onion
• 3 cloves, minced Garlic
• 3 15-ounce cans, drained and rinsed Canned navy beans
• 0.5 cup Ketchup
• 0.25 cup, packed Brown sugar
• 0.25 cup Molasses
• 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.5 cup Water

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon, crumble it into pieces, and set it aside. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat in the skillet.

Step 3

Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until softened and lightly golden. Then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring frequently.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained navy beans, sautéed onion and garlic, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, apple cider vinegar, mustard, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to evenly coat the beans.

Step 5

Add the bacon crumbles to the bowl and mix gently to incorporate.

Step 6

Transfer the bean mixture to a large oven-safe baking dish. Pour the water evenly over the top and gently stir to combine.

Step 7

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

Step 8

After 60 minutes, remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 30 minutes, or until the beans are bubbly and slightly thickened.

Step 9

Remove from the oven and let the beans rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Fourth of July Beans as a delicious side dish!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1868.5 grams (1868.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3009

Total Fat 30.90g	40%
Saturated Fat 10.10g	51%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.00g
Cholesterol 63mg	21%
Sodium 7411mg	322%
Total Carbohydrate 537.00g	195%
Dietary Fiber 96.30g	344%
Total Sugars 147.90g
Protein 162.20g	324%

Vitamin D 10IU	51%
Calcium 1263mg	97%
Iron 36mg	200%
Potassium 8433mg	179%

*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: 9.0%

Protein: 21.1%

Carbs: 69.9%