Mom's New England Baked Beans

Transport your taste buds to the heart of New England with Mom's New England Baked Beans, a timeless classic bursting with rich, slow-cooked flavor. This hearty recipe features tender navy beans infused with the smoky essence of thick-cut bacon, the sweet complexity of molasses and dark brown sugar, and the tangy kick of apple cider vinegar. A hint of warm clove elevates this dish, while slow baking in a Dutch oven ensures deep caramelization and unparalleled depth. Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or as a cozy side dish, these baked beans pair beautifully with crusty bread or grilled meats. With minimal prep and the promise of five hours of oven-simmered perfection, this dish is the ultimate comfort food for feeding a crowd. Keywords: New England baked beans, classic comfort food, slow-cooked navy beans, molasses baked beans, potluck recipes.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:300 mins

Total Time:320 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried navy beans
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 6 slices thick-cut bacon
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 whole clove
• 4 cups water
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the dried navy beans under cold water to remove any debris. Place them in a large bowl and cover with cold water by about 2 inches. Allow the beans to soak overnight, or at least 8 hours.

Step 2

Drain and rinse the soaked beans. Place them in a large pot and add enough water to cover the beans by about 2 inches. Stir in the baking soda. Bring the beans to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).

Step 4

In the same pot, cook the thick-cut bacon slices over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pot.

Step 5

Add the diced yellow onion to the pot and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 6

In a small bowl, whisk together the molasses, dark brown sugar, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, ground black pepper, and apple cider vinegar. Set this mixture aside.

Step 7

In a large Dutch oven or oven-safe casserole dish, combine the pre-cooked beans, sautéed onions, and molasses mixture. Stir to coat everything evenly.

Step 8

Nestle the cooked bacon slices into the bean mixture, and add the whole clove for a subtle hint of warmth. Pour in 4 cups of water, or enough to just barely cover the beans.

Step 9

Cover the pot or casserole dish tightly with a lid or foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 5 hours, checking occasionally to ensure the beans are still covered with liquid. Add more water if necessary.

Step 10

After 5 hours, uncover the beans and bake for an additional 30 minutes to allow the liquid to reduce slightly and the top to caramelize.

Step 11

Remove the beans from the oven, discard the whole clove, and let them cool for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Mom's New England Baked Beans with crusty bread or grilled meats for a comforting meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1859.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2551.1

Total Fat 45.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 14.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 64.3mg	0%
Sodium 3895.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 430.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 72.9g	0%
Total Sugars 153.2g
Protein 114.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1046.0mg	0%
Iron 29.8mg	0%
Potassium 8437.6mg	0%

*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: 15.9%

Protein: 17.7%

Carbs: 66.5%