Description
Hearty Boston-style Old Fashioned Baked Beans showcase generations of New England comfort cooking with molasses-kissed navy beans slow-simmered to perfection. Generations of home cooks have cherished this classic dish that brings warmth and rich tradition to any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound dried navy beans
- 8 ounces thick-cut bacon (diced)
- 1 medium yellow onion (finely chopped)
Seasonings and Flavorings:
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup plain tomato sauce or ketchup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Aromatics:
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Submerge navy beans in a large pot with abundant water, allowing them to soak for 8-12 hours overnight. Drain and replenish with fresh water, bringing to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour. Drain beans, preserving 1½ cups of cooking liquid.
- Render bacon in a Dutch oven over medium heat until crispy. Incorporate diced onions, sautéing for 5-7 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Blend tomato sauce, molasses, brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and bay leaf into the bacon-onion mixture.
- Incorporate cooked beans and reserved bean water into the pot, stirring thoroughly. Bring to a gentle simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Heat oven to 325°F (160°C). Seal Dutch oven with lid and bake for 2-3 hours. Uncover during final 20-30 minutes to concentrate sauce, stirring periodically and supplementing with reserved liquid if needed to prevent drying.
- Remove bay leaf. Taste and fine-tune seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Serve piping hot or cool and store for later reheating.
- Alternatively, transfer prepared mixture to a slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, leaving lid ajar during final 30 minutes to thicken sauce.
Notes
- Soak beans thoroughly to ensure even cooking and reduce digestive discomfort, preventing any hard or undercooked spots.
- Experiment with bacon alternatives like smoked turkey or tempeh for vegetarian and lower-fat versions without compromising rich, smoky flavor.
- Reserve bean cooking liquid carefully as it contains essential starch and nutrients that help thicken sauce and enhance overall depth of flavor.
- Adjust sweetness and tanginess by playing with molasses and vinegar ratios to match personal taste preferences or regional baked bean styles.
- Prep Time: 15–20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2–3 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 355 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 940 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg