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Apple Cider Baked Beans

Apple Cider Baked Beans are rich, smoky, and slightly sweet with cozy fall flavor in every bite. Tender navy beans bake slowly in a thick sauce made with apple cider, bacon, brown sugar, barbecue sauce, and warm spices for the ultimate comforting side dish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cans (15 oz each) navy beans, drained and rinsed
  • 6 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1/3 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Equipment

  • Dutch oven or oven-safe skillet
  • wooden spoon
  • knife
  • cutting board
  • can opener

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove excess grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
  2. Add the diced onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add the apple cider, barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and apple cider vinegar. Stir well to combine.
  4. Fold the drained navy beans into the sauce mixture until evenly coated.
  5. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake uncovered for 45–55 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until thick and bubbly.
  6. Let the baked beans rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken.

Notes

Use fresh apple cider instead of apple juice for the richest flavor. Thick-cut bacon adds extra smokiness and texture. If you prefer saucier beans, stir in additional apple cider during baking. These baked beans taste even better the next day after the flavors deepen overnight.