Easy Boston Baked Beans Recipe (2024)

These Easy Boston Baked Beans are a simpler version of the traditional recipe. The homemade baked bean sauce poured over bacon and beans for the ultimate summer side dish.

Easy Boston Baked Beans Recipe (1)

My family loves barbecue and these EASY Boston Baked Beans.

My ultimate summer dinner would be our Smoked BBQ Ribs, Cornbread Muffins, Potato Salad and these Easy Boston Baked Beans.

I have always loved baked beans, but wanted to make some authentic Boston Baked Beans for an upcoming family barbecue.

It turns out, most beans recipes require you to soak your beans overnight and then reserve some of the bean water to use later in the recipe.

But with this recipe – no soaking of beans required. No reserving bean water.

This recipe calls for canned navy beans so the hardest part is opening the cans.

Where did this recipe originate?

Authentic Boston Baked Beans include a variety of beans that have been cooked in a sweet sauce made of molasses or maple syrup and are flavored with pork.

In the 18th Century, Boston was an exporter of rum, which is produced by the distillation of fermented molasses.

At the time, people began adding molasses to local baked bean recipes which then became known as Boston Baked Beans.

In colonial New England, baked beans were traditionally cooked overnight beginning on Saturday so that on Sunday, the beans were still hot and people could enjoy a hot meal and still comply with Sabbath restrictions.

I would say we hit the nail on the head! Our Easy Boston Baked Beans are cooked in a sweet, sticky sauce made of molasses and brown sugar that is poured over bacon covered navy beans.

It doesn’t get much better than that!

Easy Boston Baked Beans Recipe (2)

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How to make this easy Baked Beans Recipe:

Easy Boston Baked Beans Recipe (3)

Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Rinse and drain beans, then spread in the bottom of prepared pan.

Easy Boston Baked Beans Recipe (4)

Lay bacon slices on top of beans in the pan. Sprinkle diced onion over bacon.

Easy Boston Baked Beans Recipe (5)

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.

Easy Boston Baked Beans Recipe (6)

Use a spoon to spread evenly over the top.

Easy Boston Baked Beans Recipe (7)

Cover dish with foil and bake for 3 hours, or until beans are tender and heated through.

Easy Boston Baked Beans Recipe (8)

Some people prefer to stir the beans before serving to break up the bacon. However you serve it, we know these Easy Boston Baked Beans will be a hit!

The best potluck side dishes:

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Easy Boston Baked Beans Recipe (9)

Serves: 10

Easy Boston Baked Beans Recipe

Easy Boston Baked Beans with a rich, sweet sauce.

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Total Time 3 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

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Ingredients

  • 3 (15.5 ounce) cans white navy beans
  • 10 bacon strips
  • 1 onion diced
  • 6 Tablespoons molasses
  • 4 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

  • Spray a 9×13-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.

Notes

  • Some people prefer to stir the beans before serving to break up the bacon.

Nutrition

Calories: 207 kcal · Carbohydrates: 39 g · Protein: 5 g · Fat: 4 g · Saturated Fat: 1 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 2 g · Cholesterol: 14 mg · Sodium: 1512 mg · Potassium: 384 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 36 g · Vitamin A: 127 IU · Vitamin C: 2 mg · Calcium: 56 mg · Iron: 1 mg

Equipment

  • 9×13-inch Baking Pan

  • Saucepan

  • Aluminum Foil

Recipe Details

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

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  1. Susan says:

    Want to convert to IP.. suggestions

  2. Sarah James says:

    I thought the recipes were for Instant Pot. I love Boston Baked Beans. Please let us know when you have a recipe for the Instant Pot. Thank you.

  3. Tina Bordner says:

    Made over the weekend with friends. Amazing and simple

  4. Cyd says:

    You could make these baked beans in the slow cooker. The cooking time will be longer. Watch them closely. Here is a link that will help you with the length of cooking time.https://www.ehow.com/info_7947443_slow-cooker-temperature-settings.html

  5. Cyd says:

    Kristen wrote a post on converting recipes into instant pot. Hope this helps.https://www.sixsistersstuff.com/how-to-convert-recipes-into-instant-pot-recipes/

  6. Janet says:

    This recipe is amazing..... can I make it in the crockpot rather than heat the whole oven

  7. Connie says:

    Can we make this in the IP then brown bacon?

  8. Momma Cyd says:

    Sure! That will work too.

  9. Katie says:

    MUCH too salty. I’m making it with 1/4th the salt next time. I also recommend cutting bacon into 1/4ths before baking. It is hard to separate after. Good flavor

  10. Alisa says:

    I made them in a crock pot this weekend! (Made them in oven before also). Cooked on low for 4 hrs then took lid off for 1 hr. Turned out great

  11. Heather Jones says:

    Just wondering what kind of bacon is used is it plain or smoked, full back or streaky.

  12. Momma Cyd says:

    You can really use whatever bacon you like or have on hand. We love a good smoky bacon.

  13. Debbie Ellwood says:

    what kind of onion? yellow? sweet?

  14. Momma Cyd says:

    We used a yellow onion, but either will be delicious in these baked beans.

  15. Debbie says:

    Thank you for this recipe. I did it exactly how you said, and it turned out Amazing!

  16. Amy says:

    Can I half it? With this change the cooking time?

  17. Momma Cyd says:

    You can easily half the recipe. Cooking time may change slightly. You want your beans cooked and heated through and the bacon cooked.

  18. Holly says:

    How important is the dry mustard if I don’t have this ingredient?

  19. Pamela says:

    It is delicious, I didn’t measure exact on the ingredients due to I used dried navy beans that I soaked then cooked then used and I was short some, so other ingredients I eyed what I thought to adjust to amount of beans I had. I used jowls that baked (for about two hours due to less mentioned in recipe) perfect with the beans/ingredients.

    Easy Boston Baked Beans Recipe (10)

Easy Boston Baked Beans Recipe (11)

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Easy Boston Baked Beans Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between baked beans and Boston baked beans? ›

What is the difference between Boston baked beans and baked beans? The main difference between baked beans and Boston baked beans comes down to the use of molasses. Boston baked beans bake in a sauce typically made with molasses while traditional baked beans cook in brown sugar and corn syrup.

Why are my Boston baked beans hard? ›

If your beans are still hard after soaking overnight, you can try cooking them longer on the stove. Simmer them gently in water or broth until they reach your desired level of tenderness. Adding a pinch of baking soda to the cooking water can also help soften them more quickly.

What is the coating on Boston baked beans? ›

Sugar, Peanuts, Corn Syrup, Modified Food Starch (Corn), Acacia (Gum Arabic), Confectioner's Glaze (Shellac), Artificial Flavor, Carnauba Wax, White Mineral Oil, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 2.

What are original Boston baked beans? ›

Place of Origin

If someone offers you Boston baked beans, you'll most likely receive a sweet-savory blend of navy beans that have been slow-cooked in molasses, black pepper, and salt pork. That classic style has been synonymous with the city known as “Beantown” for centuries.

Why are Boston Baked Beans so good? ›

The triangular trade of slaves in the 18th century helped to make Boston an exporter of rum, which is produced by the distillation of fermented molasses. At that time, molasses was added to local baked bean recipes, creating a distinctive style of baked beans unique to New England.

What kind of beans are Boston Baked Beans made of? ›

The short answer is that they're small white beans (usually navy beans), slow-cooked in an oven, hearth, or ember-filled hole in the ground with molasses, salt pork, black pepper, and maybe a touch of mustard and onion until they form a thick stew, rich with a deep color and caramelized crust.

What is the secret to soft baked beans? ›

As dried beans age the pores in the beans that allow water to enter close up which will prevent the beans from softening no matter how long they are cooked. Be sure to follow the instructions to soak the beans overnight and then boil them for an hour.

How do you thicken Boston baked beans? ›

Use starches to thicken beans

Simply add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to 1 cup of water or to the liquid from the baked beans (scoop it out into a separate bowl and let it cool first) and mix. Once the starch is thoroughly incorporated, pour the slurry into the baked beans dish and stir.

Do beans get softer the longer you cook them? ›

Adjust cooking times as needed depending on the variety. Cooking longer will result in softer beans. Beans should be tender but not mushy.

Why is there white stuff in my bush's baked beans? ›

If you're worried about the white stuff on top, it's fat that cooked out of the bacon & rose to the top as it cooled.

What can I add to baked beans to prevent gas? ›

The one tried and true method she taught me to reduce the gassy effect of beans, is this: add a tiny amount of baking soda to the pot half an hour or so before you're ready to serve them to “release” the gasses from them. Be set to stir down the violent reaction. This works no matter how you've seasoned them.

Are Boston Baked Beans good for you? ›

This legume dish is high in folate and a good source of iron. Folate helps form red blood cells, which contain iron. Both nutrients are important in preventing anemia.

What beans does Bush's baked beans use? ›

Bush's® Original Baked Beans are a Secret Family Recipe of navy beans slow-cooked with specially cured bacon, fine brown sugar and our signature blend of spices.

Why are Bush's baked beans so good? ›

Back in 1969, the Bush family decided to share their secret recipe for Baked Beans. Tender navy beans are slow-cooked with specially cured bacon, fine brown sugar and the family signature blend of spices. It's easy to see why it's enjoyed by millions every year!

Why do B&M baked beans taste different? ›

Some think that it's because the new makers didn't take the giant iron bean pots with them. Others think the beans are steamed and not baked. According to the Press Herald, B&M employees could take the pots home with them, which some did, to use them as flower planters or fire pits.

Are British baked beans the same as American baked beans? ›

British Baked Beans v's American Beans

These British Baked beans are made without meat, with a thinner tomato-based sauce. American-style baked beans are cooked with pork (bacon) molasses and brown sugar and the sauce is much sweeter, thicker and smoky.

What are Boston beans called? ›

Boston Baked Beans are a candy industry name for sugar coated peanuts that have been dyed red to match the color of, you guessed it, baked beans. Their origin is muddy. No one really seems to know who came up with them.

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