Traditional Boston Baked Beans
This traditional Boston baked beans contain even more sweet and tangy flavor than traditional baked bean recipes!
Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 2 cups navy beans (soak them in water overnight and then rinse thoroughly)
- 3 tablespoons molasses
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- ¾ cup diced yellow onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Place the beans in a pot over medium-high heat and cover them with about an inch of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the beans are tender, about an hour.2 cups navy beans
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C).
- Combine the molasses, salt, pepper, mustard, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and liquid smoke in a pot, and bring to a boil over medium heat.3 tablespoons molasses, 2 teaspoons salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon dry mustard, ½ cup ketchup, ½ cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- Drain the beans and place in a casserole dish with the onion. Pour the molasses mixture over the beans and then add water so that the beans are just covered with liquid.¾ cup diced yellow onion
- Cover the casserole dish and bake about 3 - 3 ½ hours, checking periodically to make sure the beans aren't drying out.
- If the liquid isn't quite thick enough, remove the cover and bake for another 15 minutes. (However, note that the sauce will thicken a bit upon standing).
- Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.2 tablespoons chopped parsley, for garnish
Notes
- Taste the sauce before pouring it over the beans. Adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more salt, pepper, or sweetness according to your preference.
- In a hurry? Use a store-bought BBQ sauce as a substitute for the molasses, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, and vinegar.
- Use canned navy beans instead of dried ones to skip the soaking and long cooking process. Rinse and drain them before use.
- Use frozen diced onions to save time on chopping. Or use 1 tablespoon of onion powder if you prefer not to use fresh or frozen onions.
- No liquid smoke? Use ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika, or smoked salt instead of the regular salt, to add that smoky flavor.
- Use additional brown sugar or some maple syrup as a substitute for molasses. It won't be as rich, but it will still add sweetness.
- You can add diced carrots, celery, and bell peppers for extra nutrition and color.
Include some mushrooms for more of a meaty texture. Or add cubed, marinated tofu or tempeh for a protein boost. - Add spices like smoked paprika, cumin, or chili powder for a different flavor profile.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or diced jalapenos for a spicy kick.
- To change up the sweetness profile, you can use maple syrup or honey instead of the brown sugar.
- Replace some of the water with beer (such as a stout or porter) for a deep, malty flavor. Or use vegetable or chicken broth instead of water for added depth of flavor.
- Top the finished dish with crispy fried onions, breadcrumbs, or crushed tortilla chips before the final baking stage to add a nice crunch.
Nutrition
Calories: 161kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 810mg | Potassium: 374mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 78IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 2mg
