Chef John's Boston Baked Beans - A Traditional American Delight

Chef John's Boston Baked Beans is a classic American dish that is perfect for gatherings and barbecues. Made with navy beans, bacon, molasses, and a variety of other flavorful ingredients, these baked beans are slow-cooked to perfection. The result is a dish that is sweet, smoky, and savory, with a rich and hearty texture that is sure to satisfy. Serve it as a side dish or as the main attraction, either way, it's bound to be a crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients

• 2 cups dried navy beans
• 8 cups water
• 1/2 pound bacon, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions

1. Place the dried navy beans in a large pot and cover with water. Let soak overnight, then drain and rinse.
2. In a large Dutch oven or oven-safe pot, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
3. Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until translucent.
4. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius).
5. Add the soaked navy beans, cooked bacon, molasses, maple syrup, brown sugar, tomato paste, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, black pepper, and ground cloves to the pot. Mix well to combine.
6. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover the pot and transfer it to the preheated oven.
7. Bake for 4 hours, or until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened. If the sauce becomes too thick during baking, you can add some water to thin it out.
8. Remove from the oven and let the baked beans cool for a few minutes before serving. Stir gently before serving to distribute the flavors evenly.
9. Serve hot as a side dish or as the main course. Enjoy!

Interesting Facts