Rustic Ina Garten Baked Beans Recipe

Zesty Homemade Baked Beans Recipe: Ina Garten’s Magic Formula

Dive into the world of comfort food with Ina Garten’s baked beans recipe that promises to delight your taste buds.

Slow-cooked to perfection, these beans burst with rich, smoky flavors that dance on your palate.

The carefully selected ingredients blend harmoniously, creating a dish that speaks to the heart of home cooking.

Garten’s touch elevates this classic side dish from ordinary to extraordinary.

Each spoonful carries a depth of flavor that tells a story of culinary expertise.

The aroma alone will draw you into the kitchen, tempting you to grab a serving spoon.

Get ready to savor a timeless recipe that turns a simple bean dish into a memorable meal.

Ingredients You’ll Combine for Ina Garten Baked Beans

For Bean Base:
  • Navy Beans: Hearty legume that provides rich, creamy texture and excellent protein foundation for the dish.
  • Water: Essential liquid for softening and preparing beans before baking.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Ketchup, Maple Syrup, Brown Sugar, Molasses: Create a complex, sweet-tangy sauce that caramelizes and adds deep, rich undertones.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Delivers umami depth and subtle complexity to the overall flavor profile.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasoning duo that balances and amplifies other ingredients.
  • Chili Powder: Introduces gentle warmth and subtle spicy background note.
For Aromatic Complement:
  • Onion: Adds savory sweetness and creates foundational flavor depth in the baked beans.

Tools That Help When Making Ina Garten Baked Beans

  • Large Saucepan: Essential for boiling and initially cooking the beans.
  • Small Bowl: Perfect for mixing the flavorful sauce ingredients.
  • 1 1/2-Quart Casserole Dish: Ideal baking vessel for creating rich, tender baked beans.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurately portioning ingredients.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring beans during long baking process.
  • Colander: Needed for draining beans after initial cooking.
  • Oven: Required for slow-baking the beans to perfection.

How to Cook Ina Garten Baked Beans at Home

How to Cook Ina Garten Baked Beans at Home

Bean Comfort

  • Liquid Preparation Soaking the beans in water to soften and prepare for cooking.

Rinse dried beans thoroughly and place them in a large saucepan with fresh water. Allow beans to soak, creating a foundation for rich flavor development.

  • Initial Cooking Phase Transforming beans through gentle heat.

Bring water with beans to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and let simmer gently. This process helps break down tough bean fibers and enhances overall tenderness.

  • Flavor Infusion Creating a signature sauce.

Craft a delectable sauce by blending sweet and tangy ingredients like maple syrup, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. This mixture will provide depth and complexity to the beans.

  • Oven Transformation Slow-cooking magic.

Transfer beans to a deep baking dish, generously coating with prepared sauce. Place in a warm oven, allowing slow cooking to meld flavors and create a rich, hearty texture.

  • Final Touch Resting and serving.

After hours of patient cooking, remove beans from oven. Let them rest briefly, allowing sauce to thicken and flavors to fully integrate. Serve warm as a comforting side dish that promises pure culinary satisfaction.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 7 hours 20 minutes

Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 6

Ways to Add More Flavor to Ina Garten Baked Beans

  • Skip overnight soaking by using the quick-boil method, which softens beans faster and reduces cooking time without sacrificing flavor.
  • Swap maple syrup with honey or agave nectar for a different sweet profile, adjusting quantities to match your taste preferences.
  • Fold in cooked bacon bits, diced ham, or pulled pork during the last hour of baking to create a heartier, more substantial side dish.
  • Experiment with different heat levels by adding chipotle peppers, sriracha sauce, or smoked paprika for a bolder, more complex flavor experience.
  • Prepare the entire dish up to two days in advance and reheat gently in the oven, allowing flavors to meld and intensify even more before serving.

Serving Style for Ina Garten Baked Beans Dish

  • Pair with Protein Powerhouses: Serve alongside grilled chicken, pulled pork, or smoked sausages for a hearty and satisfying meal that combines rich flavors and textures.
  • Craft Barbecue Sidekick: Make these baked beans the star side dish at summer cookouts, picnics, or backyard gatherings where comfort food reigns supreme.
  • Create Rustic Comfort Plate: Layer the beans over warm cornbread or crusty sourdough to soak up the delicious molasses-infused sauce and add extra depth to your dining experience.
  • Elevate Brunch Spread: Incorporate these baked beans into a weekend breakfast alongside scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and fresh toast for a Southern-inspired morning feast.

Preserve Ina Garten Baked Beans Without Losing Taste

  • Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover baked beans in an airtight container, keeping them fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
  • Freeze for Later: Transfer cooled beans to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air. Freeze for maximum 3 months, maintaining optimal flavor and texture.
  • Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated beans in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or reserved cooking liquid to restore moisture and prevent drying out.
  • Batch Cooking Strategy: Prepare a double batch of beans, enjoying one portion immediately and saving the second for a quick, delicious meal during busy weekdays. Portion and label containers for easy identification.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Rustic Ina Garten Baked Beans Recipe

Rustic Ina Garten Baked Beans Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 32 reviews

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

Description

Ina Garten’s homemade baked beans elevate classic comfort cuisine with rich, smoky flavors. Hearty navy beans slow-cooked with bacon, molasses, and spices create a satisfying side dish you’ll crave at summer gatherings.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup navy beans, soaked overnight and drained (240 ml)
  • 4 cups water (960 ml)
  • ¼ cup ketchup (60 ml)
  • ¼ cup maple syrup (60 ml)
  • 2 tbsps molasses (30 ml)
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (5 ml)
  • 2 tbsps brown sugar (30 ml)
  • ½ tsp salt (2.5 ml)
  • 1/8 tsp ground black pepper (0.6 ml)
  • 1/8 tsp chili powder (0.6 ml)
  • 1 small onion, chopped

Instructions

  1. Bean Preparation: Thoroughly rinse navy beans and immerse in water, ensuring complete coverage. Bring to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 60 minutes until beans become tender.
  2. Sauce Crafting: Whisk ketchup, maple syrup, dark brown sugar, blackstrap molasses, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, black pepper, and chili powder in a mixing bowl to create a robust flavor profile.
  3. Assembly: Drain beans, reserving cooking liquid. Transfer to a ceramic casserole dish, integrating diced yellow onion and prepared molasses-based sauce. Pour reserved liquid to cover beans by 1/4 inch.
  4. Initial Baking: Preheat oven to 375°F. Cover dish and bake for 10 minutes to initiate flavor infusion.
  5. Slow Cooking: Reduce oven temperature to 200°F and continue cooking for 6 hours. Gently stir beans midway through to ensure even cooking and prevent adherence to the dish.
  6. Finishing Touch: Remove from oven when beans achieve a creamy consistency and sauce thickens. Allow to rest, covered, for 15 minutes before serving to enhance flavor melding.

Notes

  • Soak Smartly: Rinse beans meticulously to remove dirt and potential debris, which enhances overall flavor and texture.
  • Liquid Love: Maintain consistent moisture by reserving cooking liquid, ensuring beans remain creamy and preventing dry, tough results.
  • Low and Slow Magic: Extended low-temperature cooking transforms tough beans into tender, flavor-packed deliciousness without burning or overcooking.
  • Flavor Layering: Whisking sauce ingredients thoroughly before combining creates a harmonious blend of sweet, tangy, and savory notes that deeply penetrate the beans.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 7 hours 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 0.5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 10 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Isabella Rodriguez

Isabella Rodriguez

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Pastry Arts and Dessert Innovation, French and European Baking Techniques, Food Writing and Blogging, Culinary Event Planning

Education

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Diploma: Grand Diplôme®
  • Focus: Intensive training in classic French cuisine and pastry techniques, combining the Diplôme de Cuisine and Diplôme de Pâtisserie.

Isabella Rodriguez is the co-founder and pastry chef at wd-50.com. She studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she earned the Grand Diplôme®, a top award in both cooking and baking. After working in fancy bakeries and as a personal pastry chef, Isabella now shares her love for desserts in an easy way for home bakers to enjoy.

At wd-50.com, Isabella creates recipes for cookies, cakes, tarts, and more, always with clear steps and helpful tips. She believes baking should be fun, not stressful, and she hopes her recipes bring joy to your kitchen and smiles to your table.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star