Food Wishes Recipes - Boston Baked Beans Recipe - How to Make Boston Baked Beans

Soak 1 pound of navy beans overnight in lots of water.

Drain the soaked beans and place them in a Dutch oven with 6 cups of water, a pinch of baking soda, and 1 bay leaf.

Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 10 minutes.

Drain the beans through a colander into a big bowl, saving the liquid.

Transfer the beans back into the pot and add bacon, minced onions, molasses, black pepper, salt, dry mustard, and brown sugar. Stir until combined.

Add enough reserved hot bean boiling liquid to just barely cover the beans.

Cover the pot tightly with a lid and bake in a 300°F oven for 1 hour.

Check the liquid level after 1 hour; if needed, add more water to bring it back up to just covered.

Continue baking for another hour, checking for tenderness and adding water as necessary.

Remove the cover and increase the oven temperature to 350°F to give the top a nice crust and caramelize the bacon.

Cook until the beans are tender and the liquid has thickened to a syrupy consistency.

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: