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
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
Instructions
- Rinse navy beans thoroughly and place in a large saucepan with of water, ensuring beans are fully submerged.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Carefully pour reserved cooking liquid over the beans, ensuring they are covered by approximately 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) of liquid.
- Cover the casserole dish with a tight-fitting lid and bake for 10 minutes at the initial high temperature.
- 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.
- 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