Best 5 James Beards Boston Baked Beans Recipes

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If you're looking for a classic New England dish with a rich and flavorful taste, James Beard’s Boston Baked Beans is the perfect recipe for you. This iconic dish has been a staple of American cuisine for centuries and is sure to tantalize your taste buds with its combination of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this article will guide you through the steps to create the perfect baked beans, using James Beard's renowned recipe.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

JAMES BEARD'S BOSTON BAKED BEANS



James Beard's Boston Baked Beans image

The trick to good baked beans is cooking them very slowly with indirect heat. This recipe calls for baking them in a tightly sealed casserole in an oven barely hot enough to toast bread. As the hours pass, the beans drink up a broth flavored with brown sugar (or molasses), mustard and pepper. The gentle cooking prevents the beans from breaking up and becoming mushy. By the time they're done, the pork is falling off its bones and the beans are the classic rusty brown. Be sure to season them amply with salt so the sweetness has a sturdy counterpart. Beard's recipe calls for dark brown sugar. The alternative is to use molasses, which will render a final flavor and color more familiar to canned-bean devotees. The recipe itself requires no great cooking skills - if you can peel an onion and boil water, you're all set - but it will easily take up an afternoon. Plan it for a day when you're at home.

Provided by Amanda Hesser

Categories     side dish

Time 13h

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups of white pea beans (navy beans)
1 scant teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1 medium onion, peeled
4 pork spareribs, or 8 baby-back ribs
1/3 cup dark brown sugar or molasses
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, soak the beans in 2 quarts of water for 6 hours. Drain the beans and put them in a large pot. Add the salt and enough cool water to cover 2 inches above the beans. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the beans are just barely tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Drain well.
  • Bring another pot of water to a boil. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. In the bottom of a large casserole with a tight-fitting lid, place the peeled onion -- yes, whole -- and spareribs (or baby-back ribs). Spread the beans on top. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar (or molasses), mustard and black pepper and add this to the beans and pork. Pour in just enough boiling water to cover the beans, put the lid on and bake, occasionally adding more boiling water to keep the beans covered, until they are tender but not falling apart, 4 to 5 hours.
  • Remove the casserole from the oven. Season the beans with salt. Pull the meat from the ribs. Discard the bones and excess fat and stir the meat back into the beans. With the lid off, return the casserole to the oven and let the beans finish cooking, uncovered and without additional water, until the sauce has thickened and is nicely caramelized on top, about 45 minutes more.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 252, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams, Carbohydrate 12 grams, Fat 17 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 12 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 309 milligrams, Sugar 10 grams, TransFat 0 grams

EASY BOSTON BAKED BEANS



Easy Boston Baked Beans image

Easy Boston Baked Beans with a rich, sweet sauce.

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 (15.5 ounce) cans white navy beans
10 strips bacon
1 onion (diced)
6 Tablespoons molasses
4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1 cup ketchup
1 cup brown sugar
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Rinse and drain beans, then spread in the bottom of prepared pan.
  • Lay bacon slices on top of beans in the pan.
  • Sprinkle diced onion over bacon.
  • In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together molasses, salt, pepper, dry mustard, ketchup, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Bring to a boil, remove from heat, then pour over beans in the pan. Use a spoon to spread evenly over the top.
  • Cover dish with foil and bake for 3 hours, or until beans are tender and heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Servingsize 1 serving, Calories 3922 kcal, Fat 68 g, SaturatedFat 27 g, Cholesterol 87 mg, Sodium 16028 mg, Carbohydrate 638 g, Sugar 366 g, Protein 204 mg

CHEF JOHN'S BOSTON BAKED BEANS



Chef John's Boston Baked Beans image

This is a great side dish with anything!

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Baked Beans

Time 10h45m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 pound dry navy beans
6 cups water
1 pinch baking soda
1 bay leaf
6 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 yellow onion, diced
⅓ cup molasses
¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1 ½ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

Steps:

  • Soak navy beans overnight in a large bowl with enough water by several inches. Drain and place beans into a large Dutch oven or heavy pot with 6 cups water, baking soda, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and boil for 10 minutes. Drain, saving bean-cooking liquid.
  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
  • Transfer beans into clean Dutch oven and stir bacon, onion, molasses, brown sugar, dry mustard, salt, and black pepper into beans. Pour enough of the hot reserved bean liquid in to cover beans; stir.
  • Cover Dutch oven and bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. Check liquid level and add more of the reserved bean liquid to bring liquid up to cover beans. Return to oven and continue baking until beans are tender and almost all the liquid has been absorbed, about 1 hour.
  • Raise oven heat to 350; bake beans uncovered in oven until top develops a flavorful crust, 20 to 30 more minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 410.6 calories, Carbohydrate 72.5 g, Cholesterol 10.1 mg, Fat 5.2 g, Fiber 19.2 g, Protein 20.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.4 g, Sodium 860.5 mg, Sugar 23.5 g

PRESSURE COOKER BOSTON BAKED BEANS RECIPE - (4.6/5)



Pressure Cooker Boston Baked Beans Recipe - (4.6/5) image

Provided by Renna

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups small navy beans, dry
6 strips thick cut bacon, diced
1 large yellow onion, diced
3 cups water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup ketchup
1/3 cup molasses
1/3 cup light brown sugar
3 tablespoon yellow mustard

Steps:

  • Soak beans, covered in water, for 30 minutes while you prepare other ingredients, Drain and rinse after soaking. With lid off, heat bacon and onion on High or Brown until bacon is nearly crisp, about 5 minutes Add beans, water, olive oil, dry mustard, cloves and pepper. Secure lid and cook on HIGH for 20 minutes. Naturally release pressure for 10 minutes then quick release. Set cooker to High or Brown and stir in remaining ingredients. Let simmer 5 minutes, adding water if the sauce is too thick to stir.

CHEF JOHN'S BOSTON BAKED BEANS



Chef John's Boston Baked Beans image

This is a great side dish with anything!

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Side Dish     Beans and Peas     Baked Bean Recipes

Time 10h45m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 pound dry navy beans
6 cups water
1 pinch baking soda
1 bay leaf
6 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 yellow onion, diced
⅓ cup molasses
¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1 ½ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

Steps:

  • Soak navy beans overnight in a large bowl with enough water by several inches. Drain and place beans into a large Dutch oven or heavy pot with 6 cups water, baking soda, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and boil for 10 minutes. Drain, saving bean-cooking liquid.
  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
  • Transfer beans into clean Dutch oven and stir bacon, onion, molasses, brown sugar, dry mustard, salt, and black pepper into beans. Pour enough of the hot reserved bean liquid in to cover beans; stir.
  • Cover Dutch oven and bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. Check liquid level and add more of the reserved bean liquid to bring liquid up to cover beans. Return to oven and continue baking until beans are tender and almost all the liquid has been absorbed, about 1 hour.
  • Raise oven heat to 350; bake beans uncovered in oven until top develops a flavorful crust, 20 to 30 more minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 410.6 calories, Carbohydrate 72.5 g, Cholesterol 10.1 mg, Fat 5.2 g, Fiber 19.2 g, Protein 20.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.4 g, Sodium 860.5 mg, Sugar 23.5 g

Tips:

  • Use dried navy beans: These beans are small, white, and have a mild flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients in Boston baked beans.
  • Soak the beans overnight: This will help them cook more evenly and prevent them from becoming tough.
  • Use a heavy pot: A Dutch oven or cast iron pot is ideal for cooking Boston baked beans because it will distribute the heat evenly.
  • Add plenty of flavorings: Brown sugar, molasses, salt pork, and mustard are all essential ingredients in Boston baked beans. You can also add other spices, such as black pepper, garlic, and onion, to taste.
  • Cook the beans slowly: Boston baked beans should be cooked over low heat for several hours, until the beans are tender and the sauce is thick and flavorful.
  • Serve hot: Boston baked beans are best served hot, with cornbread or other side dishes.

Conclusion:

Boston baked beans are a classic New England dish that is perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. With a little planning, you can make a delicious pot of Boston baked beans that will be enjoyed by everyone at your table.

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