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Authentic Boston Baked Beans: A New England Tradition

These traditional Boston baked beans are slow-cooked to perfection with smoky bacon, sweet molasses, and aromatic onions. The navy beans transform into tender morsels swimming in a thick, caramelized sauce that's the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 12 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 382
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups dry navy beans soaked overnight
  • 6 slices bacon chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
  • 3 tablespoons molasses
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves optional but authentic
  • 2 cups bean soaking water or fresh water
  • 1 bay leaf

Method
 

  1. Begin by sorting through your navy beans to remove any stones or debris. Rinse them thoroughly, then place in a large bowl and cover with cold water (at least 2 inches above the beans). Soak overnight or for at least 8 hours.
  2. When ready to cook, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Drain the beans, reserving 2 cups of the soaking liquid.
  3. In a heavy, oven-safe Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until it begins to crisp and release its fat. Remove half the bacon and set aside for later.
  4. Add the diced onion to the pot with the remaining bacon and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
  5. Add the soaked beans to the pot, stirring to coat with the bacon fat.
  6. In a separate bowl, whisk together molasses, maple syrup, brown sugar, mustard powder, black pepper, salt, and ground cloves.
  7. Pour this sweet mixture over the beans, then add enough of the reserved bean soaking water to just cover the beans. Add the bay leaf.
  8. Bring everything to a simmer on the stovetop, then cover and transfer to the preheated oven.
  9. Bake for 3 hours, checking occasionally. If beans appear dry, add a little hot water to keep them moist.
  10. After 3 hours, remove the lid, sprinkle the reserved bacon on top, and continue baking uncovered for another 30-45 minutes until the sauce has thickened and the top has developed a slight crust.
  11. Remove from oven, discard the bay leaf, and let stand for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 382kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 21gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 1320mgFiber: 17gSugar: 20g
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