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Boston Baked Beans

Boston Baked Beans are a beloved New England tradition made with navy beans, molasses, brown sugar, mustard, and often a touch of salt pork or bacon. Slow-cooked until deeply flavored and tender, these beans are sweet, savory, and satisfying. Whether served alongside grilled meats, hot dogs, or cornbread, they offer a nostalgic taste of old-fashioned American home cooking.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, New England
Calories: 382
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups dry navy beans soaked overnight
  • ½ pound uncooked bacon strips
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 3 tablespoons molasses
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon dry mustard

Equipment

  • Colander or sieve
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Spoon or spatula
  • Large bowl (for soaking beans)
  • Dutch oven or slow cooker

Method
 

  1. Transfer soaked navy beans and soaking water to a saucepan.
  2. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until nearly tender, approximately 1 to 2 hours. Drain and reserve the cooking liquid.
  3. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  4. Arrange 1/2 of the beans in the bottom of a 2-quart casserole dish. Place 1/2 of the bacon strips over the beans and sprinkle 1/2 of the onions over top. Repeat layers once more.
  5. Combine ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and dry mustard in a large saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil.
  6. Pour sauce over the beans. Pour in just enough reserved cooking liquid to cover the beans. Cover the casserole dish with a lid or aluminum foil.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours. Remove the lid and continue to cook, checking every 1/2 hour or so and adding more cooking liquid if necessary to prevent the beans from getting too dry, until beans are soft and tender, 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 more hours.
  8. Serve hot and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 382kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 21gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 1230mgPotassium: 1174mgFiber: 17gSugar: 20gVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 141mgIron: 5mg

Notes

Rich, hearty, and gently sweetened with molasses, Boston Baked Beans are a classic comfort food that slow-cooks to perfection.

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