Smoky Jalapeño Bacon Baked Beans

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-18 · Updated 2026-06-18

Baked beans infused with smoky paprika, crispy bacon, and fresh jalapeño bring a bold, spicy twist to a classic side dish. This Mexican-inspired quick recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, pairs canned navy beans, bacon strips, jalapeño pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 3 cups, drained and rinsed canned navy beans
• 6 slices, chopped bacon strips
• 1 medium, seeded and finely chopped jalapeño pepper
• 1 small, finely diced yellow onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 3 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp kosher salt

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large ovenproof skillet or Dutch oven, cook 6 chopped bacon slices over medium heat until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
2. Step 2: Add 1 finely diced small yellow onion and 1 finely chopped seeded jalapeño pepper to the bacon fat and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 3 tbsp tomato paste, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 cup water, 3 cups drained canned navy beans, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix until well combined.
4. Step 4: Return the cooked bacon to the pan, stirring it through the bean mixture. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake uncovered for 45 minutes until the sauce is thickened and bubbly.
5. Step 5: Remove from the oven and let the beans rest for 5 minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to deepen.