Savory Slow-Cooked Boston Baked Beans
Indulge in the comforting flavors of classic Boston Baked Beans, a perfect blend of tender beans and smoky meats, slow-cooked to perfection. This recipe allows you to prepare the beans in advance, making it a hassle-free option for gatherings or family meals. The minimal soaking time needed for the dried beans ensures all the robust flavors meld beautifully during the long bake. Whether served as a side dish for a barbecue or a hearty main course on a chilly night, these beans encapsulate warmth and tradition. Feel free to store leftovers in an airtight container; they make for a delicious meal prep option as they stay fresh for up to 4 days in the fridge.
N/A
Servings
160
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Salt pork
4 ounces (trimmed of rind and cut into 1/2-inch pieces)
Bacon
2 ounces (cut into 1/4-inch pieces (about 2 slices))
Onion
1 medium (chopped fine)
Mild molasses
1/2 cup, plus (1 tablespoon for finishing)
Brown mustard
1 1/2 tablespoons (none)
Small dried white beans
1 lb (rinsed and picked over (not soaked or boiled))
Water
9 cups (none)
Salt
to taste (none)
Cider vinegar
1 teaspoon (none)
Ground black pepper
to taste (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven by adjusting the rack to the lower-middle position and setting it to 300°F (150°C).
2
In an 8-quart Dutch oven, add the salt pork and bacon. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until both meats are lightly browned and most of the fat has rendered, which should take about 7 minutes.
3
Add the finely chopped onion to the pot, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes softened and translucent, approximately 8 minutes.
4
Stir in 1/2 cup of mild molasses, brown mustard, rinsed and picked-over white beans, 1 1/4 teaspoons of salt, and 9 cups of water. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil.
5
Once boiling, cover the pot and carefully transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake the mixture for about 4 hours, stirring once after 2 hours to ensure even cooking.
6
After 4 hours, remove the lid and continue baking for an additional 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the liquid has thickened to a syrupy consistency.
7
Once done, take the beans out of the oven, and finish by stirring in the remaining tablespoon of molasses, apple cider vinegar, and adjust with additional salt and ground black pepper to taste. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
2g
Fat
30g
Carbs
6g
Protein
3g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Slow-Cooked Boston Baked Beans?
They are a classic comfort dish featuring tender white beans and smoky meats like salt pork and bacon, slow-cooked in a sweet and savory molasses-based sauce.
Do I need to soak the dried beans overnight for this recipe?
No, this recipe is designed for minimal soaking time, as the long 5.5-hour baking process ensures the beans cook through and meld with the flavors.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 300°F (150°C) with the rack adjusted to the lower-middle position.
What size Dutch oven is recommended?
An 8-quart Dutch oven is recommended to accommodate the beans, meat, and 9 cups of water.
What type of beans are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 pound of small dried white beans, rinsed and picked over.
What meats provide the smoky flavor?
This recipe uses 4 ounces of salt pork and 2 ounces of bacon (about 2 slices) for a deep, smoky profile.
How do I prepare the salt pork?
The salt pork should be trimmed of its rind and cut into 1/2-inch pieces before cooking.
How long should I cook the meat before adding other ingredients?
Cook the salt pork and bacon over medium heat for about 7 minutes until lightly browned and the fat has rendered.
How long do the onions need to cook?
Add the finely chopped onion and cook for approximately 8 minutes until they are softened and translucent.
What kind of molasses should I use?
The recipe specifies mild molasses, using 1/2 cup during the initial cook and an extra tablespoon for finishing.
What type of mustard is included?
The recipe uses 1.5 tablespoons of brown mustard to add a tangy depth to the sauce.
How much water is needed for the beans?
You will need 9 cups of water to ensure the beans have enough liquid to cook during the long baking time.
How long do the beans bake while covered?
The beans bake covered in the oven for a total of 4 hours.
Do I need to stir the beans while they are in the oven?
Yes, you should stir the beans once after the first 2 hours of baking to ensure even cooking.
Why do I remove the lid for the final part of baking?
The lid is removed for the final 1 to 1.5 hours to allow the liquid to thicken into a syrupy consistency.
What finishing ingredients are added after baking?
After baking, stir in one tablespoon of molasses, one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 160 calories.
What is the nutritional breakdown for fat and protein?
Each serving provides about 2g of fat and 6g of protein.
How many carbohydrates and fiber are in these beans?
There are 30g of carbohydrates and 3g of fiber per serving.
Can I store leftovers in the refrigerator?
Yes, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge where they will stay fresh for up to 4 days.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Absolutely, these beans make for a great meal prep option as the flavors continue to develop over time.
Can these beans be served as a main course?
Yes, they can be served as a hearty main course or as a traditional side dish for a barbecue.
What is the total number of ingredients?
The recipe uses 10 main ingredients, including the seasonings.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
While often categorized as a bean dish, this specific recipe contains salt pork and bacon and is not vegetarian.
What should the final consistency of the sauce be?
The sauce should be thick and syrupy once the cooking process is complete.
How much cider vinegar is used?
One teaspoon of cider vinegar is added at the end to brighten the flavors.
Should the beans be boiled before going into the oven?
The mixture should be brought to a boil on the stovetop over medium-high heat before being transferred to the oven.
Where should I place the oven rack?
The rack should be in the lower-middle position for the best heat distribution.
Is brown sugar used in this recipe?
No, the sweetness comes primarily from the mild molasses.
Can I adjust the seasoning at the end?
Yes, it is recommended to adjust the salt and ground black pepper to your personal taste after the final bake.