Dr Pepper Baked Beans take a classic comfort food side dish and amplify it with bold, sweet-and-savory flavor. Infused with Dr Pepper soda, molasses, bacon, and tangy mustard, these baked beans are rich, hearty, and irresistibly good. Perfect for BBQs, summer holidays, tailgating, or any time you want a crowd-pleasing side, this dish is easy to prep and slow-baked to perfection.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 4 slices thick-cut bacon, diced

• 1 medium/large yellow onion, diced

• 1 medium/large red or green bell pepper, diced

• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)

• Three 15-ounce cans baked beans, drained

• ½ cup ketchup

• ⅓ cup unsulphured molasses

• ¼ cup packed light or dark brown sugar (optional, to taste)

• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

• One 12-ounce can Dr Pepper soda

Directions

1. Preheat Oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Cook Bacon: In an oven-safe cast iron skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set aside. Drain all but 2–3 tablespoons of grease.

3. Sauté Veggies: Add onions and bell peppers to the skillet. Cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Mix the Beans: Add the cooked bacon back in along with baked beans, ketchup, molasses, optional brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, and Dr Pepper. Stir to combine.

5. Bake: Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake uncovered for 75–90 minutes, stirring every 30 minutes, until sauce thickens and caramelizes.

6. Serve: Serve hot and enjoy! Leftovers keep well in the fridge for 5 days or frozen up to 3 months.

Nutrients

Per serving (approx. 8 servings):

• Calories: 286 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 61g

• Protein: 10g

• Fat: 3g

  • Saturated Fat: 1g

• Cholesterol: 6mg

• Sodium: 1103mg

• Fiber: 7g

• Sugar: 33g

Why Dr Pepper Baked Beans Are So Popular

Dr Pepper Baked Beans are loved for their unique and bold flavor, which takes a classic side dish and turns it into something extraordinary. The infusion of Dr Pepper soda gives the beans a subtle sweetness, while the molasses deepens the flavor, and the bacon adds richness and crunch. The tangy mustard and apple cider vinegar bring a perfect balance of acidity to round out the flavors, making every bite complex and satisfying.

This dish is perfect for occasions where you want to impress guests with something a little different. It’s also incredibly easy to prepare, requiring only a few simple steps to create a dish that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The fact that it can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge or freezer makes it a great option for busy days or large gatherings.

How to Make Dr Pepper Baked Beans

Making Dr Pepper Baked Beans is simple and involves just a few steps to bring out all the rich, sweet, and savory flavors. Here’s how to prepare these flavorful baked beans:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is the perfect temperature for slow-baking the beans to achieve a thick, caramelized sauce.

Step 2: Cook the Bacon

In an oven-safe cast-iron skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 5–7 minutes. Once cooked, remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside. Drain all but 2–3 tablespoons of the bacon grease, leaving just enough to sauté the vegetables.

Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables

Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet, cooking over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally, cooking until the vegetables are softened and slightly caramelized. This step adds depth and sweetness to the dish.

Step 4: Mix the Beans

Once the vegetables are cooked, add the cooked bacon back into the skillet along with the baked beans (drained), ketchup, molasses, optional brown sugar, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, and Dr Pepper soda. Stir everything together until well combined. The Dr Pepper will give the beans a subtle sweetness and a unique flavor, while the molasses and mustard add richness and tang.

Step 5: Bake the Beans

Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 75–90 minutes, stirring every 30 minutes to ensure the beans cook evenly. The sauce will thicken and caramelize as it bakes, creating a rich, sticky coating on the beans. Keep an eye on it toward the end of baking to ensure the sauce doesn’t get too thick or burn.

Step 6: Serve

Once the beans are baked to perfection and the sauce is thick and caramelized, remove them from the oven. Serve the beans hot and enjoy! They are best served with grilled meats, cornbread, or any other BBQ favorite. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Why This Dish is Perfect for Any Occasion

Dr Pepper Baked Beans are perfect for a variety of occasions. Whether you’re hosting a summer BBQ, celebrating a holiday, or attending a tailgate party, these beans will be the star of the meal. The sweet and savory flavor combination makes them a great side dish that pairs well with everything from grilled meats to fresh salads.

They’re also incredibly easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time, which is great for busy gatherings. The beans can be stored in the fridge for several days or frozen for later use, so you can prepare them in advance and reheat them when needed. They’re a great make-ahead dish that’s both flavorful and convenient.

Conclusion

Dr Pepper Baked Beans are a fantastic side dish that combines sweet, savory, and tangy flavors in one hearty, satisfying meal. The infusion of Dr Pepper soda gives the beans a unique flavor that pairs perfectly with the molasses, bacon, and mustard. Whether you’re serving them at a BBQ, tailgate, or holiday gathering, these beans are sure to be a crowd favorite. They’re easy to make, delicious, and can be prepared in advance, making them a great option for any occasion. Try these baked beans for your next meal and watch them become the star of the show!