Description
These homemade baked beans from scratch combine tender navy beans with a rich blend of molasses, maple syrup, brown sugar, and spices. Slow-cooked to perfection, this classic side dish offers a comforting, sweet, and smoky flavor ideal for family meals or gatherings.
Ingredients
Beans
- 1 cup navy beans, soaked overnight and drained
- 4 cups water
- 1 small onion, chopped
Sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon chili powder
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Collect all ingredients listed including soaked navy beans, water, chopped onion, and sauce components.
- Simmer Beans: Place soaked navy beans and 4 cups of water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 1 hour until beans start to soften.
- Preheat Oven and Mix Sauce: While beans simmer, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, combine ketchup, maple syrup, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, salt, ground black pepper, and chili powder. Stir well and set aside.
- Drain and Combine: After simmering, drain the beans, reserving the cooking liquid. Place beans in a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish; add chopped onion and the prepared sauce mixture. Add enough reserved cooking liquid to cover the beans by ¼ inch.
- Bake Beans: Cover the casserole dish and bake for 10 minutes at 375°F. Then reduce the oven temperature to 200°F (95°C) and continue cooking for 6 hours. Stir the beans once after the first 3 hours of baking.
- Final Touch and Rest: Once beans are tender and the sauce is thick and sticky, remove from the oven. Stir the beans, recover the dish, and let it stand for 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Quick Soak Option: Alternatively, place navy beans in a large pot with cold water covering them by several inches. Bring to a boil, then turn off heat, cover, and let stand for 1 hour. Drain and rinse before proceeding with the recipe.
Notes
- Soaking navy beans overnight reduces cooking time and improves digestibility.
- The slow baking at low temperature helps develop deep flavors and a sticky, rich sauce.
- Stirring halfway through baking ensures beans cook evenly and prevents sticking.
- For a vegetarian version, ensure Worcestershire sauce is vegan or omit it.
- Leftover baked beans store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and taste even better the next day.
