Ina Garten’s Perfect Baked Beans Recipe – Sweet & Savory Joy

Ina Garten baked beans represent the pinnacle of hearty, soul-warming comfort food that transforms humble ingredients into a spectacular culinary experience.

Rich, deeply satisfying flavors meld together in this classic American side dish that brings families around the table.

Sweet and tangy notes dance across your palate with each delectable spoonful.

Traditional preparation methods elevate these legumes into something extraordinary and memorable.

The slow-cooking process allows complex seasonings to develop an incredible depth of flavor that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Careful ingredient selection and precise technique make this recipe truly special.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this mouthwatering masterpiece: prepare to be delighted.

Why Baked Beans Deserve the Spotlight

• Savor Rich, Slow-Cooked Comfort: These baked beans transform simple ingredients into a deeply satisfying dish through a patient, low-and-slow cooking method that develops incredible depth of flavor and creates melt-in-your-mouth tender beans.
• Craft an Easy Crowd-Pleasing Side: With minimal hands-on preparation and straightforward ingredients, this recipe allows home cooks of any skill level to create a classic comfort food that brings warmth and deliciousness to any gathering or family meal.
• Experience Layered Sweet-Savory Complexity: The combination of maple syrup, brown sugar, molasses, and Worcestershire sauce creates a multi-dimensional sauce that balances sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy notes, transforming ordinary beans into an extraordinary culinary experience.

What’s Inside Ina’s Savory-Sweet Pot of Beans

• Navy Beans: Classic choice for baked beans, creamy and perfect for slow cooking.
• Water: Essential for softening and cooking the beans thoroughly.

• Ketchup, Maple Syrup, Brown Sugar, Molasses: Sweet and tangy base that creates rich, deep flavor profile.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds umami and complexity to the overall taste.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Chili Powder: Seasoning blend that enhances and balances the sweet elements.

• Onion: Provides savory undertones and depth to the bean dish, adding subtle sweetness when slow-cooked.

Slow Cook Your Way to Baked Bean Heaven

Step 1: Prepare Bean Base

• Rinse dried beans thoroughly
• Place beans in a large saucepan
• Add 4 cups of cold water
• Let beans soak overnight or for at least 8 hours

Step 2: Initial Bean Cooking

• Drain soaked beans
• Transfer beans back to saucepan
• Cover with fresh water
• Bring to a rolling boil over high heat
• Reduce heat to medium-low
• Simmer uncovered for 1 hour
• Drain beans while reserving cooking liquid

Step 3: Create Flavor Mixture

• Ketchup
• Maple syrup
• Brown sugar
• Molasses
• Worcestershire sauce
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Chili powder
• Whisk until well blended

Step 4: Assemble Baked Beans

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
• Select a 1.5-quart casserole dish
• Add cooked beans to dish
• Sprinkle chopped onions over beans
• Pour prepared flavor mixture evenly
• Add reserved cooking liquid to just cover beans

Step 5: Slow Bake Beans

• Cover casserole dish with lid
• Bake for 10 minutes at 375°F
• Reduce oven temperature to 200°F (95°C)
• Continue baking for 6 hours
• Stir beans every 3 hours
• Check liquid levels and add more if needed

Step 6: Final Preparation

• Remove beans from oven
• Stir gently to distribute sauce
• Let beans rest for 15 minutes
• Serve warm as a side dish or main course

Tips for Bold Flavor and Texture

• Prep Like a Pro: Soak beans the night before to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility, making them softer and more evenly cooked.
• Flavor Bomb Technique: Layer ingredients carefully to build depth, allowing each component to meld and create a rich, complex taste profile.
• Sauce Secret Weapon: Whisk sauce ingredients until smooth and fully combined, ensuring no sugar or spice clumps remain for a perfectly balanced coating.
• Low and Slow Magic: Cover the pot while simmering to lock in moisture and prevent beans from drying out or breaking apart during cooking.
• Make-Ahead Marvel: These baked beans taste even better the next day, so consider preparing them in advance to let flavors develop and intensify.

Store Leftovers Without Drying Them Out

• Freezer Method: Divide cooled baked beans into portion-sized containers. Seal tightly with freezer-safe lids, leaving a small space at the top to prevent expansion. Label each container with the date and contents for easy tracking.
• Refrigeration Method: Transfer beans to a glass or ceramic container with a snug-fitting lid. Keep the beans away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption. Place in the coldest part of the refrigerator for maximum preservation.
• Reheating Method: Thaw frozen beans overnight in the refrigerator for best results. Warm gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Add a splash of water or broth if the beans seem dry to restore moisture and prevent sticking.

Spice It Up—Cumin, Mustard, or Smoky Bacon

• Smoky Bacon Blast: Add crispy chopped bacon pieces and a dash of smoked paprika for a rich, meaty flavor that elevates the classic baked beans recipe.
• Spicy Jalapeño Kick: Incorporate finely diced fresh jalapeños and a splash of hot sauce to create a zesty, warming version that brings extra heat to the dish.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Mix in fresh rosemary, thyme, and a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese to transform the beans with a Mediterranean-inspired profile that offers a sophisticated taste experience.
• Vegetarian Protein Power: Replace traditional ingredients with diced mushrooms and add extra smoked spices to create a hearty, plant-based alternative that maintains the deep, complex flavors of the original recipe.

Beans That Steal the Show

Savory Boston-style baked beans showcase Ina Garten’s culinary mastery with slow-cooked perfection.

Maple sweetness and molasses depth create an irresistible harmony of flavors.

Rich, hearty ingredients blend into a comfort classic that warms souls and sparks memories.

Massachusetts roots shine through each carefully prepared spoonful.

Generations of home cooks would celebrate this authentic recipe’s regional charm.

Passionate meal enthusiasts: click share, drop a comment below, and spread baked bean brilliance across your favorite social platforms.

Ina Garten Baked Beans Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s baked beans showcase a classic American comfort dish with rich, smoky flavors. Slow-cooked navy beans mingle with bacon, molasses, and mustard, creating a hearty side that elevates any backyard barbecue or family gathering.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein Base:

• 1 cup (240 ml) navy beans, soaked overnight and drained

Liquid Ingredients:

• 4 cups (960 ml) water
• ¼ cup (60 ml) ketchup
• ¼ cup (60 ml) maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) molasses
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Worcestershire sauce

Seasoning and Aromatics:

• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
• 1/8 teaspoon (0.6 ml) ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon (0.6 ml) chili powder
• 1 small onion, chopped

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Rinse navy beans thoroughly and place in a large saucepan with of water, ensuring beans are fully submerged.
2. Bring water to a vigorous boil over high heat, then reduce temperature to medium-low, cover the saucepan, and allow beans to simmer gently for approximately 60 minutes until beans become tender.
3. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) while preparing the flavor-enhancing sauce by whisking together ketchup, pure maple syrup, dark brown sugar, blackstrap molasses, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and ground chili powder in a small mixing bowl.
4. Drain the cooked beans, reserving the cooking liquid, and transfer them to a 1 1/2-quart (1.4 liters) ceramic casserole dish, then incorporate finely diced yellow onion and the prepared molasses-based sauce.
5. Carefully pour reserved cooking liquid over the beans, ensuring they are covered by approximately 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) of liquid.
6. Cover the casserole dish with a tight-fitting lid and bake for 10 minutes at the initial high temperature.
7. Reduce oven temperature to 200°F (95°C) and continue slow-cooking for an additional 6 hours, gently stirring the beans after the first 3 hours to promote even cooking and prevent sticking.
8. Once beans have reached a soft, creamy consistency and the sauce has thickened substantially, remove the casserole from the oven, stir contents thoroughly, and allow to rest, covered, for 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

• Winter comfort meals shine brightest with slow-cooked beans packed with deep, rich flavors.
• Traditional recipes passed through generations reveal the magic of patient, careful cooking techniques.
• Selecting high-quality navy beans guarantees a creamy, smooth texture that melts in your mouth.
• Wooden spoon stirring helps distribute seasonings evenly without breaking delicate bean surfaces.
• Precise temperature control transforms simple ingredients into a hearty, memorable dish everyone will crave.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 hours 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 155 kcal
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 124 mg
• Fat: 0.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg