Smoky Maple Baked Beans

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-31 · Updated 2026-03-31

Slow-cooked baked beans infused with molasses, smoked paprika, and a hint of cinnamon for a sweet-and-savory twist on a classic Southern staple. This Southern-inspired sheet-pan recipe, ready in about 120 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, white beans, molasses for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, 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

• 1.5 lbs pork shoulder
• 1 can (15 oz) white beans
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 lb (crumbled) bacon

The sheet pan we’d roast this on → Best Sheet Pans in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). In a large oven-safe pot, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy, 8-10 minutes. Add pork shoulder and cook until browned, 5 minutes.
2. Step 2: Stir in beans, molasses, vinegar, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Pour 1/2 cup water to cover beans. Bake, uncovered, for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender.
3. Step 3: Serve warm, garnished with crispy bacon and a drizzle of glaze made from leftover molasses.