New England Baked Beans (The Real Thing)* M

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Servings: 8 Difficulty: Intermediate
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A classic American comfort food featuring slow-baked navy beans in a savory-sweet molasses and salt pork glaze.
New England Baked Beans (The Real Thing)*** M recipe image
New England Baked Beans (The Real Thing)*** M recipe image
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New England Baked Beans (The Real Thing)* M

Author: chefs-mate Cooking Method: , Cuisine: Courses:
Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 8 Calories: 511.7

Description

These authentic New England baked beans are the epitome of comfort food, offering a tender, savory-sweet flavor profile that develops over hours of slow cooking. The combination of rich molasses, tangy vinegar, and aromatic spices creates a deep, complex sauce that coats each bean perfectly. Salt pork (or bacon) renders down to provide a smoky richness and a crispy texture contrast against the soft beans. This dish is ideal for potlucks, Sunday dinners, or any occasion where you want to serve a hearty, traditional American main. The long, low-temperature baking process ensures the beans are incredibly tender and the flavors are fully integrated, resulting in a meal that is both satisfying and nostalgic.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Rinse dry beans and soak in cold water overnight or for at least 8 hours.
  2. Drain and rinse the soaked beans, then place them in a large pot.
  3. Cover beans with fresh water and bring to a boil.
  4. Reduce heat and simmer for 45 to 60 minutes until beans are tender but not mushy.
  5. Drain beans and transfer to a baking dish or bean pot.
  6. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, molasses, ginger, dry mustard, sugar, catsup, and salt.
  7. Pour the sauce mixture over the beans in the baking dish.
  8. Distribute chopped salt pork or bacon pieces and quartered onions evenly over the beans.
  9. Add enough water to the dish to just cover the ingredients.
  10. Cover the dish and bake at 225F (107C) for 3 hours.
  11. Increase oven temperature to 300F (149C) and continue baking for another 3 hours, stirring occasionally and adding water if needed to keep beans covered.
  12. Serve hot when the sauce has thickened and the beans are very tender.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 8

Amount Per Serving
Calories 511.7kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 16.2g25%
Saturated Fat 5.3g27%
Cholesterol 17.4mg6%
Sodium 1896.2mg80%
Total Carbohydrate 78.3g27%
Dietary Fiber 2.6g11%
Sugars 69.9g
Protein 15.9g32%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Traditional New England baked beans often use salt pork instead of bacon for a richer, less smoky flavor. If using salt pork, cut it into small cubes or strips.

The beans are ready for the baking stage when you can remove one with a spoon, blow on it, and the skin wrinkles or shrinks back slightly.

Keep the beans covered with liquid during the long bake. Add hot water as needed to prevent burning, especially in the final hour.

For a deeper flavor, some cooks add a small piece of brown sugar wrapped in foil on top of the beans during the last hour of baking.

These beans taste even better the next day as the flavors meld. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Keywords: baked beans, new england, navy beans, molasses, salt pork, bacon, comfort food, american cuisine, slow cooked, potluck, traditional, savory sweet, homestyle, family dinner, classic recipe, beany, hearty, slow baked, vinegar, mustard
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