Boston Style Baked Beans

Transport your taste buds straight to New England with this classic Boston Style Baked Beans recipe, a hearty dish brimming with rich, molasses-infused flavor and smoky bacon goodness. Made with tender navy beans slow-baked to perfection, this traditional recipe combines sweet and tangy notes from dark brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, and a splash of apple cider vinegar, while aromatic spices like ground ginger add a subtle warmth. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or a crowd-pleasing barbecue side dish, these beans develop a thick, caramelized sauce that’s irresistibly comforting. Serve them alongside cornbread or crusty bread for a timeless pairing that’s sure to satisfy. With simple ingredients and a slow-cooking technique, Boston Style Baked Beans are a labor of love worth every minute.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:300 mins

Total Time:315 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried navy beans
• 6 cups water
• 6 slices bacon, diced
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 0.33 cup molasses
• 0.25 cup dark brown sugar
• 0.25 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 cup water (additional, as needed)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse and sort the dried navy beans, discarding any debris or stones.

Step 2

In a large pot, combine the beans with 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 hour, partially covered, until the beans are tender but not mushy. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).

Step 4

In a large oven-safe Dutch oven or pot, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pot.

Step 5

Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook in the bacon fat for 5 minutes, or until softened and translucent.

Step 6

Stir in the molasses, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, and ground ginger. Cook the mixture for 2 minutes to blend the flavors.

Step 7

Add the drained beans and cooked bacon to the pot. Stir to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.

Step 8

Pour in enough water (approximately 1 cup) to just barely cover the beans. Stir gently.

Step 9

Cover the Dutch oven with a lid and transfer it to the preheated oven.

Step 10

Bake the beans for 4 to 5 hours, stirring every hour and adding a splash of water if the beans look dry.

Step 11

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving. The beans should be tender with a thick, caramelized sauce.

Step 12

Serve hot as a side dish or enjoy as a hearty main meal with cornbread or crusty bread.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2636 grams (2636.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2677

Total Fat 45.50g	58%
Saturated Fat 14.10g	71%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.10g
Cholesterol 99mg	33%
Sodium 4446mg	193%
Total Carbohydrate 444.90g	162%
Dietary Fiber 72.60g	259%
Total Sugars 163.20g
Protein 136.80g	274%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1079mg	83%
Iron 30mg	166%
Potassium 8786mg	187%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 15.0%

Protein: 20.0%

Carbs: 65.0%