Root Beer Baked Beans

Transform your backyard barbecue or weeknight dinner with these irresistible Root Beer Baked Beans, a bold twist on a classic side dish. Infused with the rich sweetness of root beer, smoky paprika, and flavorful bacon, this dish delivers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory notes. Navy beans are simmered in a robust homemade sauce made from ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, and a touch of Worcestershire, then baked to caramelized perfection. With minimal prep and the convenience of canned beans, this crowd-pleasing recipe elevates comfort food to a whole new level. Serve these baked beans alongside grilled favorites, burgers, or hot dogs for a memorable feast that’s sure to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:75 mins

Total Time:90 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 cups Canned navy beans (drained and rinsed)
• 6 slices Thick-cut bacon (chopped)
• 1 medium Yellow onion (finely diced)
• 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 cup Root beer (not diet)
• 0.5 cup Ketchup
• 0.25 cup Brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Molasses
• 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Ground mustard
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

In a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 8 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Drain off all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease from the skillet.

Step 3

Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté in the reserved bacon grease until it becomes soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 4

Pour in the root beer and scrape the bottom of the skillet to deglaze, loosening any browned bits. Let the root beer simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.

Step 5

Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, ground mustard, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine, creating a rich sauce.

Step 6

Add the drained and rinsed navy beans to the skillet, along with the cooked bacon. Stir everything together until the beans are evenly coated in the sauce.

Step 7

If using a Dutch oven or oven-safe skillet, cover with a lid or aluminum foil. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to ensure the beans don’t stick to the bottom of the pan.

Step 8

After 1 hour, uncover the skillet and bake for an additional 15 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.

Step 9

Remove the beans from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra bacon crumbles, if desired.

Step 10

Serve warm as a side dish to complement grilled meats, burgers, or hot dogs.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1721.8 grams (1721.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2003

Total Fat 64.30g	82%
Saturated Fat 24.80g	124%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 120mg	40%
Sodium 5385mg	234%
Total Carbohydrate 278.20g	101%
Dietary Fiber 47.50g	170%
Total Sugars 126.30g
Protein 88.60g	177%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 553mg	43%
Iron 19mg	104%
Potassium 4207mg	90%

*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: 28.3%

Protein: 17.3%

Carbs: 54.4%