Summer BBQ Baked Beans (Printable)

Tender beans baked in a rich, sweet, smoky sauce with crisp bacon, ideal for summer gatherings.

# What You Need:

→ Beans and Main Components

01 - 4 cups canned navy beans, drained and rinsed
02 - 8 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 1 green bell pepper, finely diced

→ Sauce

05 - 3/4 cup ketchup
06 - 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
07 - 1/4 cup molasses
08 - 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
09 - 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
10 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
13 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
14 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
15 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
02 - In a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving approximately 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan.
03 - Add diced onion and green bell pepper to the pan. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
04 - Stir in drained beans, cooked bacon (reserving 2 tablespoons for topping), and all sauce ingredients. Mix thoroughly until fully combined.
05 - Bring mixture to a simmer, then remove from heat. Transfer to a baking dish if not using an oven-safe skillet.
06 - Sprinkle reserved bacon pieces over the top of the bean mixture.
07 - Bake uncovered for 1 hour, until beans are bubbling and sauce has thickened.
08 - Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Richly flavored with brown sugar, molasses, and smoky paprika, creating a perfect balance of sweet and savory.
  • Crispy bacon adds a satisfying texture and depth of flavor.
  • Simple and easy to prepare with pantry staples and minimal hands-on time.
  • Gluten-free option available by choosing the right Worcestershire sauce.
  • Perfectly pairs with classic summer BBQ dishes, making it a crowd-pleasing side.
02 -
  • Use thick-cut bacon for the best texture and flavor.
  • Cook the bacon fat slowly to avoid burning and to render maximum flavor.
  • Reserve some bacon pieces to sprinkle on top after baking for added crunch.
  • Simmer the sauce mixture briefly to marry the flavors before baking.
  • Ensure you use an oven-safe dish to avoid extra dishes or safely transfer the bean mixture to a baking dish.
  • Leftover beans taste even better the next day as flavors continue to meld.
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