Plains Baked Beans

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Servings: 12 Difficulty: Advanced
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Slow-cooked dried white beans with pork, molasses, and spices for a hearty, savory meal.
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Plains Baked Beans

Author: chefs-mate Cooking Method: , Cuisine: Courses:
Difficulty: Advanced
Servings: 12 Calories: 496.2

Description

These Plains Baked Beans are a classic, rustic dish that transforms simple dried white beans into a rich, savory masterpiece. Slow-cooked for hours with salty pork, aromatic onions, and garlic, the beans absorb deep flavors from a blend of brown sugar, molasses, chili sauce, and ketchup. The result is a tender, cohesive casserole with a sticky, sweet-and-savory glaze that coats every bean. This recipe is perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or as a robust side dish to grilled meats. It offers a comforting, home-style satisfaction that tastes even better the next day, making it an ideal make-ahead meal for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Pick over the dried white beans to remove any debris, then wash them thoroughly.
  2. Cover the beans with cold water and let them soak overnight.
  3. Drain the soaked beans and place them in a large pot.
  4. Cover the beans with fresh water and bring to a simmer over low heat.
  5. Cook the beans until they just begin to become tender, about 30-45 minutes.
  6. Rinse the partially cooked beans with cold water to stop the cooking process.
  7. Place the rinsed beans in a large 4-5 quart casserole dish.
  8. Score the salt pork piece in several places and place it on top of the beans.
  9. Pour 1/2 cup of boiling water over the pork and into the casserole.
  10. In a bowl, mix the chopped onion, garlic, brown sugar, chili sauce, ketchup, molasses, and the remaining 1/2 cup of boiling water.
  11. Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the beans and pork in the casserole.
  12. Cover the casserole dish tightly.
  13. Bake in a preheated oven at 300F (150C) for about 6 hours, or until the beans are completely tender and the sauce has thickened.
  14. Check occasionally and add a little water if the beans appear dry during baking.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 12

Amount Per Serving
Calories 496.2kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 8.0g13%
Saturated Fat 2.0g10%
Cholesterol 20.0mg7%
Sodium 1210.2mg51%
Total Carbohydrate 97.1g33%
Dietary Fiber 11.0g44%
Sugars 33.5g
Protein 15.7g32%

* 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

Serve these beans hot straight from the oven or cold as a picnic dish. They taste even better the next day as the flavors meld.

If you prefer not to use salt pork, you can substitute with 2-3 slices of thick-cut bacon or omit the meat entirely for a vegetarian version, adding a splash of soy sauce or liquid smoke for depth.

Ensure the casserole dish is oven-safe and large enough to prevent overflow as the sauce bubbles during the long baking process.

For a faster method, you can use canned beans, but rinse them well and reduce the baking time to 2-3 hours to allow the flavors to combine.

Keywords: baked beans, white beans, dried beans, pork, molasses, brown sugar, slow cooked, american cuisine, savory, comfort food, potluck, casserole, vegetarian option, hearty, traditional, side dish
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