Slow-Cooked New England Baked Beans
Indulge in the comforting flavors of traditional New England Baked Beans with this effortless slow cooker recipe. A perfect blend of sweet and savory, these beans are simmered to perfection, creating a rich, velvety texture without the need for overnight soaking. Simply prep your ingredients, set your crock pot, and wake up to a warm, hearty dish that embodies the essence of home-cooked goodness. Ideal for gatherings or as a satisfying side, these beans get even better with time, making them a wonderful dish to prepare in advance.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
white beans (great northern)
1 lb (rinsed and sorted)
salt pork
8 ounces (sliced)
onion
1 medium (chopped)
brown sugar
1/2 cup (packed)
molasses
1/2 cup (unsulfured)
yellow mustard
1 tablespoon (not prepared)
water
5-6 cups (as needed)
Instructions
1
Rinse and sort through the white beans, removing any debris or damaged beans.
2
In the crock pot, combine the rinsed beans, chopped onion, brown sugar, molasses, and yellow mustard, stirring until well mixed.
3
Add the sliced salt pork on top and pour 5 cups of water over the mixture. Stir slightly to combine but keep the pork on top to infuse its flavor during cooking.
4
Cover and cook on high for 4 hours, then reduce to low and continue to cook for an additional 8-10 hours, or until the beans are tender and dark brown.
5
Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and check the moisture level; add more water if necessary to keep the mixture from drying out.
6
Once done, serve warm as a delicious side dish or main course.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Slow-Cooked New England Baked Beans?
These are traditional New England style beans simmered in a slow cooker with molasses, brown sugar, and salt pork for a rich, sweet and savory flavor.
Do I need to soak the beans overnight for this recipe?
No, this specific recipe is designed to create a rich, velvety texture without the need for overnight soaking.
What type of white beans should I use?
The recipe recommends using 1 lb of Great Northern white beans.
What are the primary sweeteners in these beans?
The sweeteners used are 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar and 1/2 cup of unsulfured molasses.
How long do the beans need to cook in the slow cooker?
The beans should cook on high for 4 hours, followed by an additional 8-10 hours on low until tender.
Is there a vegan option for this recipe?
Yes, although the standard recipe includes salt pork, it is tagged as having a vegan option which would involve omitting the pork.
What role does salt pork play in the recipe?
Sliced salt pork is placed on top to infuse the beans with a savory flavor during the long simmering process.
How much water is required for the beans?
You will need between 5 to 6 cups of water, added as needed to keep the mixture from drying out.
What kind of mustard is used?
The recipe calls for one tablespoon of yellow mustard (not prepared).
How should the onion be prepared?
One medium onion should be chopped before being combined with the other ingredients in the crock pot.
What is the preparation for the salt pork?
The 8 ounces of salt pork should be sliced before being added to the recipe.
What is the initial cooking temperature setting?
The crock pot should be set to high for the first 4 hours of the cooking process.
When should I switch the slow cooker to the low setting?
After the initial 4 hours on high, reduce the heat to low for the remaining 8 to 10 hours.
Why is it important to stir the beans occasionally?
Stirring helps prevent the beans from sticking to the bottom of the crock pot and ensures even cooking.
How can I tell when the New England Baked Beans are done?
The beans are finished when they are tender to the bite and have turned a dark brown color.
Can I prepare these beans in advance?
Yes, these beans are ideal for advance preparation because the flavors continue to develop and improve over time.
Do I need to rinse the beans first?
Yes, you should rinse and sort through the white beans to remove any debris or damaged beans before cooking.
What should I do if the beans look dry during cooking?
Check the moisture level regularly and add more water if necessary to prevent the mixture from drying out.
Is unsulfured molasses required?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 1/2 cup of unsulfured molasses for the traditional flavor profile.
Should the brown sugar be packed when measuring?
Yes, use 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar for the correct measurement.
Can these beans be served as a main course?
Yes, while they are a classic side dish, they are hearty enough to be served as a main course.
What is the texture of these slow-cooked beans?
The slow cooking process produces a rich, velvety texture.
Why is the salt pork kept on top of the beans?
Keeping the pork on top allows the rendered fat and flavor to slowly infuse downward through the beans as they cook.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 7 main ingredients: white beans, salt pork, onion, brown sugar, molasses, yellow mustard, and water.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, it is described as an effortless recipe that simply requires prepping ingredients and letting the crock pot do the work.
What happens if I don't stir the beans?
If not stirred occasionally, the sugar and molasses in the recipe may cause the beans to stick to the sides or bottom.
What is the total estimated cooking time?
The total cooking time ranges from 12 to 14 hours depending on the desired tenderness.
What category of food does this recipe belong to?
This recipe is categorized as comfort food and a classic New England side dish.
Should the mustard be prepared mustard?
No, the recipe specifically calls for yellow mustard that is not prepared.
Is it okay to wake up to these beans?
Yes, the description suggests setting your crock pot so you can wake up to the warm, hearty dish in the morning.