Best 6 Down East Baked Beans Recipes

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Originating from Down East Maine, a region north of Boston, "down east baked beans" are a hearty and comforting dish that holds a special place in New England cuisine. A traditional dish with many variations, down east baked beans typically include navy beans, molasses, brown sugar, salt pork or bacon, and spices. While the exact origins of the dish are unclear, it is believed to have emerged from the need for a sustaining and flavorful meal that could be easily prepared and enjoyed by farmers, fishermen, and other working-class individuals in the region.

Let's cook with our recipes!

DOWN HOME BAKED BEANS



Down Home Baked Beans image

This is a simple recipe for baked beans, and oh so good.

Provided by MEANJEANNE

Categories     Side Dish     Beans and Peas     Baked Bean Recipes

Time 1h25m

Yield 11

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 pound bacon
2 (28 ounce) cans baked beans
1 (12 ounce) bottle chili sauce
1 large sweet onion, chopped
2 cups packed brown sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
  • In a large bowl combine beans, chili sauce, onion, brown sugar and bacon. Pour into a 9x13 inch casserole dish.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 483.5 calories, Carbohydrate 71.6 g, Cholesterol 28.1 mg, Fat 19.1 g, Fiber 6.1 g, Protein 11.8 g, SaturatedFat 6.3 g, Sodium 883.5 mg, Sugar 51.1 g

THE ULTIMATE BAKED BEANS



The Ultimate Baked Beans image

Provided by Tyler Florence

Categories     side-dish

Time 35m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1 canned chipotle chiles in adobo
3 big (28-ounce) cans cannelloni beans, drained and rinsed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 slices pancetta
Leaves from 6 fresh rosemary sprigs
Extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Special equipment: 4 individual crocks
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Put the molasses, ketchup, mustard, and chiles in a blender and puree. Scrape that into a big bowl, add the beans and season with salt and black pepper, and gently toss so that the beans are coated with the molasses mixture. Divide the mixture evenly amongst individual crocks. Top each crock with a piece of pancetta, sprig of rosemary and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. Bake in the oven until the bacon is browned and fat is rendered, about 25 minutes.

EASY BAKED BEANS



Easy Baked Beans image

I have been making this for almost 40 years. The original recipe calls for all ketchup; it was my idea to make that half ketchup and half barbeque sauce. I do love spicy. I have never had a baked bean recipe that was this good and also this easy. Nobody will know you didn't spend all day on it.

Provided by melmsc1

Categories     Side Dish     Beans and Peas     Baked Bean Recipes

Time 2h25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 7

cooking spray
2 (16 ounce) cans pork and beans
¾ cup brown sugar
¼ cup ketchup
¼ cup barbeque sauce
4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 teaspoon dry mustard

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Prepare a 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Stir pork and beans, brown sugar, ketchup, barbeque sauce, bacon, and dry mustard together in the prepared baking dish.
  • Bake in preheated oven, stirring every 20 minutes or so, until bacon fat is rendered throughout the beans mixture, 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 350.1 calories, Carbohydrate 55.8 g, Cholesterol 23.1 mg, Fat 10.8 g, Fiber 6.4 g, Protein 10.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, Sodium 887.3 mg, Sugar 35.4 g

EASY BAKED BEANS



Easy Baked Beans image

My family enjoys this easy baked beans recipe with cornbread, but it also rounds out any cookout. Canned pork and beans make meal prep quick. -Phyllis Schmalz, Kansas City, Kansas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 1h30m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cans (28 ounces each) pork and beans
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 pound sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup cola
1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons ground mustard

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325°. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours or until bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 293 calories, Fat 5g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 5mg cholesterol, Sodium 793mg sodium, Carbohydrate 59g carbohydrate (42g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 9g protein.

DOWN HOME BAKED BEANS



Down Home Baked Beans image

The beans in this dish are native to North America, but baked beans in some form are served all over the world. We most probably borrowed the recipe for this version (beans in tomato sauce) from our friends in England a couple hundred years ago. Baked beans are usually prepared with high amounts of sugar and salt, but other than that are generally good for you. By using a sugar-free, low-fat barbecue sauce as a base, there was some room in the calorie budget for low-fat bacon. If you prefer a more Southern taste, try substituting 1/2 cup canned, drained collard greens for the kale.

Yield serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 cup Pour-It-On Barbecue Sauce (page 209)
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/3 cut small white onion, grated
3 tablespoons real bacon bits, such as Hormel Real Bacon Bits
1 cup cannellini beans, drained
1 cup fresh kale, cleaned and roughly chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan over high heat, combine the barbecue sauce with the dry mustard, onion, bacon bits, beans, and kale. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer the beans for 10 minutes, or until the kale is tender, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken slightly and the beans should be very tender. Season the beans with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.
  • Eat more kale! It has one of the highest levels of antioxidants of any vegetable and is loaded with anti-cancer phytochemicals, calcium, B vitamins, and fiber. It's easier to prepare than you might think. (Just be sure to wash it well first and to remove the fibrous center rib.) Try it raw-shredded in salads-or cooked. I like it roughly chopped and sautéed with garlic and a little olive oil, or braised in chicken broth, or even roasted: toss it with a little olive oil or toasted sesame oil, salt, and pepper, and roast in a single layer in a shallow baking pan at 500 degrees until the edges are starting to brown and turn crispy and the centers are slightly wilted.
  • Fat: 3.5g (before), 1.6g (after)
  • Calories: 250 (before), 113 (after)
  • Protein: 7g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Cholesterol: 4mg
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Sodium: 570mg

DOWN HOME BAKED BEANS



Down Home Baked Beans image

Make and share this Down Home Baked Beans recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Chef Sunshine

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 1h10m

Yield 10-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 lb bacon
2 (28 ounce) cans baked beans
1 (12 ounce) bottle chili sauce
1 large sweet onion, chopped
2 cups packed brown sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Place bacon in a large, deep skillet.
  • Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown.
  • Drain, crumble and set aside.
  • In a large bowl combine beans, chili sauce, onion, brown sugar and bacon.
  • Pour into a 9x13 inch casserole dish.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 564.7, Fat 21.1, SaturatedFat 7, Cholesterol 30.9, Sodium 1386, Carbohydrate 84.9, Fiber 8.7, Sugar 60.9, Protein 13.8

Tips:

  • To achieve the perfect balance of flavors, use a combination of sweet (brown sugar, maple syrup), savory (bacon, salt pork), and tangy (apple cider vinegar, mustard) ingredients.
  • Soaking the beans overnight helps reduce cooking time and improves their texture.
  • Use a variety of beans to add depth and complexity to the dish. Good options include navy beans, pinto beans, and kidney beans.
  • Cooking the beans low and slow allows the flavors to meld and develop fully. Aim for a cooking time of at least 6 hours, or even overnight.
  • Don't skimp on the aromatics. Onions, garlic, celery, and carrots add a delicious base flavor to the beans.
  • For a smoky flavor, add a piece of smoked meat such as ham hock or bacon.
  • If you like a little heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeño.
  • Serve the beans with traditional accompaniments such as brown bread, cornbread, or coleslaw.

Conclusion:

Down East Baked Beans are a classic New England dish that is perfect for any occasion. With their rich, molasses-based sauce, tender beans, and smoky flavor, these beans are sure to be a hit. So next time you're looking for a hearty and flavorful meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed.

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