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.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 6

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

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

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.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

Add the sautéed onion and garlic to the mixing bowl with the sauce mixture, and stir well to combine.

Step 5

Rinse and drain the canned navy beans, and then gently fold them into the sauce mixture to ensure they are evenly coated.

Step 6

If using bacon, fold in the crumbled cooked bacon at this step.

Step 7

Pour the beans and sauce mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 8

Add the water, and gently stir to ensure the mixture remains moist during baking.

Step 9

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 45-60 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and slightly thickened.

Step 10

Remove the baked beans from the oven and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1203.5 grams (1203.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1935

Total Fat 48.10g	62%
Saturated Fat 15.50g	78%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 119mg	40%
Sodium 7589mg	330%
Total Carbohydrate 283.80g	103%
Dietary Fiber 43.70g	156%
Total Sugars 104.70g
Protein 103.30g	207%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 630mg	48%
Iron 18mg	102%
Potassium 4252mg	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: 21.8%

Protein: 20.9%

Carbs: 57.3%