Classic Overnight Baked Beans with Salt Pork
Embrace the comforting flavors of traditional baked beans with this classic recipe that has been a family favorite for over 20 years. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or cozy family dinners, these Overnight Baked Beans are slow-cooked to perfection, allowing the rich blend of molasses, brown sugar, and savory salt pork to infuse into each tender bean. This recipe not only highlights the simplicity of cooking from scratch but also brings back a sense of nostalgia. With minimal prep and an overnight soak, you'll wake up to an enticing aroma that will have everyone gathering around the table. Serve these delicious beans as a hearty side dish or incorporate them into your next one-dish meal for a satisfying culinary experience.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
small white beans
450 g (washed and soaked overnight)
dry onion soup mix
40 g (use as is)
molasses
1/3 cup (use as is)
prepared mustard
2 tablespoons (use as is)
ketchup
2 tablespoons (use as is)
brown sugar
1/4 cup (use as is)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (use as is)
salt pork
1/4 lb (chopped into 1-inch pieces)
boiling water
as needed (for cooking and maintaining moisture)
Instructions
1
Start by washing the small white beans thoroughly. Place them in a medium bowl, cover with cold water, and refrigerate overnight to soak.
2
The next day, drain the soaked beans and transfer them to a saucepan. Cover with 6 cups of hot water and bring to a vigorous boil.
3
Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the saucepan. Cook the beans for about 40 minutes or until they are tender but not mushy.
4
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
5
After the beans are tender, drain them again, reserving 2 cups of the cooking liquid for later use.
6
In a 2-quart bean pot or a casserole dish with a tight-fitting lid, add the drained beans.
7
In a separate bowl, combine the dry onion soup mix, molasses, prepared mustard, ketchup, brown sugar, and salt. Gradually stir in the reserved bean liquid until well mixed.
8
Chop the salt pork into 1-inch pieces and add it to the beans, mixing gently to incorporate.
9
Pour the liquid mixture over the beans, ensuring that all the beans are covered. If necessary, add more reserved bean liquid or boiling water to ensure coverage.
10
Cover the pot or casserole and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 5 hours, stirring every hour. If the beans start to dry out, add small amounts of boiling water as needed to keep them moist.
11
Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your hearty and flavorful baked beans!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of beans are used in the Classic Overnight Baked Beans recipe?
The recipe calls for 450 g of small white beans.
How long should the beans be soaked before cooking?
The beans should be washed and soaked in cold water overnight in the refrigerator.
How much water is needed to boil the beans the next day?
You should cover the drained beans with 6 cups of hot water for boiling.
How long do the beans need to simmer on the stove?
The beans should be simmered for about 40 minutes or until they are tender but not mushy.
What oven temperature is required for baking the beans?
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
Should I save any of the cooking liquid from the beans?
Yes, you should reserve 2 cups of the cooking liquid to use later in the sauce mixture.
What are the ingredients in the flavor mixture for the beans?
The mixture includes dry onion soup mix, molasses, prepared mustard, ketchup, brown sugar, and salt.
How much molasses is used in this recipe?
The recipe requires 1/3 cup of molasses.
What amount of brown sugar is needed?
You will need 1/4 cup of brown sugar.
How much salt pork should be added to the beans?
The recipe calls for 1/4 lb of salt pork.
How should the salt pork be prepared before adding it to the pot?
The salt pork should be chopped into 1-inch pieces.
How long do the beans bake in the oven?
The beans need to bake for a total of 5 hours.
How often should the beans be stirred while baking?
You should stir the beans every hour during the 5-hour baking process.
What should I do if the beans start to dry out in the oven?
If the beans dry out, add small amounts of boiling water as needed to keep them moist.
What kind of container can I use to bake the beans?
You can use a 2-quart bean pot or a casserole dish with a tight-fitting lid.
How much dry onion soup mix is required?
The recipe uses one 40 g package of dry onion soup mix.
How much mustard and ketchup are added?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of prepared mustard and 2 tablespoons of ketchup.
Is salt added to the mixture?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Can I serve these baked beans immediately after taking them out of the oven?
It is recommended to let them cool slightly before serving.
Are these beans suitable for a potluck?
Yes, they are described as perfect for potlucks, picnics, or family dinners.
What is the history behind this recipe?
This classic recipe has been a family favorite for over 20 years.
What should be done if the beans aren't fully covered by the liquid mixture?
If necessary, add more reserved bean liquid or boiling water to ensure all beans are covered.
What is the primary flavor profile of these beans?
The beans feature a rich blend of molasses, brown sugar, and savory salt pork.
Is it necessary to wash the beans before soaking?
Yes, the instructions state to wash the small white beans thoroughly as the first step.
Do I need to cover the saucepan while simmering the beans?
Yes, you should cover the saucepan while they simmer for 40 minutes.
Is this a slow-cooked recipe?
Yes, it is slow-cooked for 5 hours in the oven to allow flavors to infuse.
What is the serving suggestion for these beans?
They can be served as a hearty side dish or incorporated into a one-dish meal.
How is the flavor mixture incorporated into the liquid?
You should gradually stir the reserved bean liquid into the bowl containing the soup mix, molasses, mustard, ketchup, sugar, and salt.
Does this recipe use a slow cooker or an oven?
While tagged with 'slow cooker', the specific instructions provided are for baking in an oven at 300°F.
What size bean pot is recommended for this recipe?
A 2-quart bean pot is recommended for this amount of ingredients.