Baked Beans Recipe

American baked beans are the slow, sweet-savoury side dish of the New England table: navy beans baked for hours with molasses, mustard and smoky bacon until they turn dark and tender. They are the quiet star of any barbecue, and they taste even better the next day.

Prep time

15 mins

Cook time

3 hours

Total time

3 hours 15 mins

Servings

6 servings

Calories

380

Ingredients

• 500 g dried navy beans, soaked overnight
• 150 g streaky bacon, chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 80 ml molasses
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• Water, as needed

Instructions

1. Drain the soaked beans and simmer in fresh water for 30 minutes; drain.
2. Fry the bacon and onion in a heavy ovenproof pot until the onion softens.
3. Stir in the molasses, sugar, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper.
4. Add the beans and bay leaf with enough water to cover by 2 cm.
5. Cover and bake at 160°C for 2 hours 30 minutes, topping up water if needed.
6. Uncover for the last 30 minutes to thicken, then rest before serving.

Pro tips

• Soak the beans overnight for even cooking and a creamy texture.
• Keep the beans covered with liquid while they bake or they will dry out.
• Add salt only after the beans soften, or they may stay tough.
• The beans thicken as they cool; add a splash of water when reheating.

Frequently asked questions