Ina Garten’s Molasses Baked Beans Recipe for Comforting Family Dinners

Molasses baked beans represent a quintessential comfort food that warms hearts and delights taste buds with their rich, complex flavors.

These sumptuous legumes transform simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece through slow cooking and carefully balanced seasonings.

Sweet and tangy notes dance across your palate, creating a deeply satisfying experience that transcends ordinary side dishes.

Traditional preparation methods honor generations of home cooks who perfected this timeless recipe.

A perfect blend of traditional techniques and modern culinary sensibilities makes these beans irresistible.

Slow Cooking Molasses Beans

Step 1: Soak the Beans

Place navy beans in a large bowl and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Let sit overnight in the refrigerator to soften and prepare for cooking.

Step 2: Prepare the Cooking Vessel

Select a medium Dutch oven and drain the soaked beans. Add fresh water to cover beans by 2 inches and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 45-50 minutes until beans become incredibly tender. Skim away any foam that develops during cooking. Once done, drain and return beans to the Dutch oven.

Step 3: Render the Pork

Heat a large sauté pan over medium temperature. Cook pork belly and bacon pieces until they become golden and release their delicious fat. Remove meat with a slotted spoon, reserving 3 tablespoons of the rendered fat in the pan.

Step 4: Caramelize the Onions

In the same pan with reserved pork fat, sauté onions over medium-low heat. Cook until they become soft and develop a light golden color, approximately 5-7 minutes.

Step 5: Create the Flavor Base

• Brown sugar
• Ketchup
• Molasses
• Maple syrup
• Vinegar
• Dry mustard
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Black pepper

Pour boiling water to just cover the bean mixture.

Step 6: Slow Bake the Beans

Cover the Dutch oven and place in a preheated oven at 300°F. Bake for 5 hours, checking liquid levels every hour. Add boiling water if the beans appear dry.

Step 7: Final Browning

During the last 15 minutes, remove the lid to allow beans to develop a rich mahogany color. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer the hot, aromatic beans to a serving dish. Enjoy as a hearty side or main course that celebrates traditional comfort food.

Tips for Sweet & Savory Baked Beans

• Prep Beans Perfectly: Soak dried beans overnight to ensure even cooking and create a creamy, tender texture that prevents splitting during the long baking process.
• Select Premium Pork Cuts: Grab fresh pork belly and high-quality smoked bacon to elevate the dish's depth of flavor and create a rich, authentic taste profile.
• Monitor Moisture Carefully: Peek into the oven every hour and top up with boiling water to maintain proper liquid levels, preventing dry or tough beans from developing.
• Taste and Tweak Seasoning: Sample the beans after baking and adjust salt and pepper to brighten flavors that might have mellowed during the cooking process.
• Rest for Maximum Deliciousness: Give the beans a brief 10-15 minute break after baking, allowing the complex flavors to settle and intensify before serving.

How to Store Baked Beans Properly

• Freeze: Seal cooled beans in freezer-safe containers, removing all air to prevent freezer burn. Pack in individual portions for easy thawing and quick weeknight meals. Frozen beans maintain robust flavor and texture for up to 3 months, making meal prep a breeze.
• Refrigerate: Carefully transfer completely cooled beans into glass or ceramic containers with tight-fitting lids. Store in the refrigerator for maximum 4 days, ensuring optimal taste and food safety. Keep beans away from strong-smelling foods to preserve their distinctive molasses essence.
• Reheat: Warm beans gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to distribute heat evenly. Add small splashes of water or broth to restore moisture and prevent scorching.

Creative Bean Recipes to Try Next

• Bean Veggie Fusion: Replace pork belly and bacon with diced zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms for a hearty vegetarian version that maintains rich flavor complexity.
• Smoky Chipotle Adventure: Swap red pepper flakes with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to introduce a deep, smoky heat that transforms the classic baked bean profile.
• Bourbon Maple Infusion: Add 1/4 cup bourbon alongside maple syrup for an elevated, sophisticated flavor that brings warm, caramel-like undertones to the traditional recipe.
• Caribbean Spice Kick: Incorporate scotch bonnet peppers and allspice to create a vibrant, island-inspired bean dish with a bold, spicy Caribbean essence.

Reflections on Molasses Baked Beans

Molasses baked beans embody classic American comfort cuisine with rich, deep flavors that connect generations.

Ina Garten’s recipe transforms simple ingredients into a memorable culinary experience that warms hearts and satisfies souls.

Complex layers of sweetness from brown sugar and molasses mingle with smoky bacon and tender beans.

Slow-cooked perfection emerges from patient preparation and carefully balanced seasonings.

Savory depths reveal traditional cooking wisdom passed through family kitchens.

With each spoonful, memories of home-style cooking come alive, inviting fellow culinary enthusiasts to savor this timeless dish.

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Molasses Baked Beans Worth Savoring

• Savor Slow-Cooked Richness: This molasses baked beans recipe delivers deep, complex flavors developed through patient, low-temperature cooking that transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious dish.
• Embrace Textural Perfection: Each bite offers a delightful combination of creamy, tender beans with crispy bits of pork belly and bacon, creating a stunning contrast that makes every mouthful exciting and satisfying.
• Master Comfort Food Elegance: Ina Garten's recipe elevates classic baked beans from a simple side dish to a gourmet experience, blending traditional cooking techniques with sophisticated flavor profiles that impress both home cooks and dinner guests.

Ingredient Rundown for Molasses Baked Beans

• Navy Beans: Classic white beans perfect for baking, with a creamy texture and ability to absorb rich flavors.
• Dried Beans: Traditional choice with superior taste and texture compared to canned beans.

• Pork Belly, Bacon: Adds deep smoky flavor and richness, providing essential fat and meaty depth to the beans.

• Brown Sugar, Maple Syrup, Molasses: Creates a complex, rich sweetness with caramel-like undertones, balancing the savory elements.

• Ketchup, Vinegar: Provides tangy brightness and helps balance the overall sweetness.
• Dry Mustard, Red Pepper Flakes: Adds subtle heat and depth to the flavor profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall taste.

• Onions: Provides foundational aromatic base and natural sweetness.
• Water: Helps create the right cooking consistency and prevents beans from drying out.

Ina Garten Molasses Baked Beans Recipe

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4.7 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Molasses Baked Beans bring hearty New England comfort to your table with rich, deep flavors of slow-cooked navy beans. Molasses and bacon create a classic side dish that promises warmth and satisfaction for family gatherings or casual weekend meals.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1½ pounds (680 grams) dried cannellini or Great Northern white beans
• 0.5 pounds (227 grams) pork belly (rind removed), ½-inch diced
• 0.5 pounds (227 grams) slab smoked bacon, ½-inch diced

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 2 cups (480 milliliters) chopped yellow onions (2 onions)

Sweeteners and Seasonings:

• 1½ cups (360 grams) light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 0.5 cups (120 milliliters) ketchup, such as Heinz
• 0.5 cups (120 milliliters) molasses, such as Grandma’s
• 0.5 cups (120 milliliters) pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon (15 grams) dry mustard, such as Coleman’s
• 0.5 teaspoon (2.5 grams) crushed red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Soak dried beans overnight in a spacious container, submerging them under 2.5 centimeters / 1 inch of cold water in the refrigerator.
2. Heat the oven to 150°C / 300°F, positioning the rack in the middle position.
3. Drain the soaked beans and transfer them to a medium Dutch oven. Cover with fresh water by 5 centimeters / 2 inches, then bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 45-50 minutes, removing any foam that develops during cooking. Once tender, drain the beans and return them to the Dutch oven.
4. In a large sauté pan, render the pork belly and bacon over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until golden and crisp. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the meat, reserving of rendered fat in the pan.
5. Sauté chopped onions in the reserved fat over medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes until soft and lightly caramelized.
6. Combine the cooked beans with sautéed onions, crispy pork mixture, brown sugar, ketchup, molasses, maple syrup, vinegar, dry mustard, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Pour boiling water to just cover the bean mixture.
7. Cover the Dutch oven and bake for 5 hours, monitoring liquid levels hourly. Add boiling water if the beans appear dry to prevent scorching.
8. During the final 15 minutes, uncover the beans to develop a rich mahogany color and glossy finish. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving hot.

Notes

• Elevate flavor by selecting high-quality pork belly and smoked bacon, ensuring rich, deep taste profiles that transform ordinary beans into extraordinary comfort food.
• Prevent dry beans by monitoring liquid levels hourly during baking, carefully adding boiling water to maintain moisture and ensure perfectly tender legumes.
• Maximize tenderness through overnight bean soaking, which helps ingredients cook uniformly and reduces potential digestive discomfort.
• Create depth by tasting and adjusting seasonings after baking, allowing subtle flavor enhancements that complement the slow-cooked ingredients.
• Optimize taste development by letting beans rest 10-15 minutes before serving, giving spices and ingredients time to harmonize and intensify overall deliciousness.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 hours
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup (about 131g)
• Calories: 160 kcal
• Sugar: 11g
• Sodium: 390mg
• Fat: 1g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 8g
• Protein: 8g
• Cholesterol: 0mg