Easy Boston Baked Beans

Savor the rich, smoky, and slightly sweet flavors of Easy Boston Baked Beans, a hearty twist on the classic New England favorite. This recipe starts with tender navy beans simmered to perfection, then baked low and slow with a luscious sauce made from molasses, brown sugar, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and a touch of apple cider vinegar for that irresistible tang. Crispy bacon and sautéed onions lend depth and a smoky undertone, while the oven does the magic of thickening the sauce into a velvety glaze. With just 20 minutes of prep time and simple ingredients, this soul-warming dish is perfect as a side for barbecues, potlucks, or a comforting weeknight dinner. Serve these baked beans with cornbread or grilled meats for the ultimate homestyle meal!

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:260 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried navy beans
• 6 slices bacon
• 1 medium, finely chopped onion
• 0.25 cup molasses
• 0.25 cup brown sugar
• 0.25 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 cups water
• 1 leaf bay leaf

Directions

Step 1

Rinse and sort through the navy beans to remove any debris. Place the beans in a large bowl and cover them with water, leaving enough room for the beans to expand. Soak the beans overnight or for at least 8 hours, then drain and rinse.

Step 2

In a large pot, add the soaked beans, 4 cups of water, and the bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 45 minutes, or until the beans are tender but not falling apart. Drain the beans, discard the bay leaf, and set aside.

Step 3

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).

Step 4

In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon from the pan and set it aside on a plate lined with paper towels. Once cool, crumble the bacon into small pieces.

Step 5

In the same skillet, add the chopped onion to the rendered bacon fat and cook over medium heat until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in the molasses, brown sugar, ketchup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Mix well until the sauce is fully combined and slightly thickened.

Step 7

Add the cooked beans and crumbled bacon to the skillet, stirring gently to coat the beans in the sauce.

Step 8

If needed, add just enough water to slightly cover the beans (about 1/2 to 1 cup). Cover the skillet or Dutch oven with a lid or aluminum foil.

Step 9

Transfer the skillet or Dutch oven to the preheated oven and bake for 2 to 3 hours, checking occasionally to ensure the beans are not drying out. Add a splash of water if necessary.

Step 10

Once the beans are tender and the sauce is thick and rich, remove the dish from the oven. Allow the baked beans to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Step 11

Serve warm as a side dish with cornbread, grilled meat, or enjoy them on their own.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1825.5 grams (1825.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2280

Total Fat 27.10g	35%
Saturated Fat 7.20g	36%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.00g
Cholesterol 48mg	16%
Sodium 3856mg	168%
Total Carbohydrate 402.50g	146%
Dietary Fiber 72.00g	257%
Total Sugars 122.20g
Protein 119.60g	239%

Vitamin D 8IU	39%
Calcium 966mg	74%
Iron 28mg	158%
Potassium 8113mg	173%

*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: 10.5%

Protein: 20.5%

Carbs: 69.0%