Spiced Up Boring Old Baked Beans

Transform your weeknight dinner or backyard barbecue with "Spiced Up Boring Old Baked Beans," a flavor-packed twist on a classic. This simple yet irresistible recipe elevates canned baked beans with crispy bacon, sautéed onions, and a smoky-sweet sauce made from brown sugar, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and a hint of apple cider vinegar. A dash of smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and hot sauce adds just the right amount of heat, while fresh parsley provides a vibrant finishing touch. Ready in just 35 minutes, this versatile dish is perfect as a side for grilled meats or as a hearty standalone option. Say goodbye to dull beans and hello to bold, comforting flavors that everyone will love!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups canned baked beans
• 4 slices bacon
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.25 teaspoons ground cayenne pepper
• 0.5 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the bacon slices and cook until crispy on both sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon and set aside on a paper towel to cool and drain. Once cooled, crumble into pieces.

Step 3

In the same skillet, remove excess bacon grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.

Step 4

Add the diced onion to the pan and sauté until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 6

Reduce heat to low. Add the brown sugar, ketchup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, ground cayenne pepper, ground black pepper, and hot sauce to the skillet. Stir to combine.

Step 7

Pour in the baked beans and carefully mix everything together until the beans are well-coated with the sauce mixture.

Step 8

Simmer the beans on low heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning, if needed, by adding more cayenne for heat or a pinch of salt if required.

Step 10

Transfer the spiced-up baked beans to a serving dish and top with the crumbled bacon.

Step 11

Optional: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(708.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	860.9

Total Fat 16.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 31.7mg	0%
Sodium 3200.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 152.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.4g	0%
Total Sugars 74.0g
Protein 34.8g	0%

Vitamin D 5.1IU	0%
Calcium 285.2mg	0%
Iron 9.0mg	0%
Potassium 1908.6mg	0%

*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: 16.6%

Protein: 15.5%

Carbs: 67.9%