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Comforting Southern Baked Beans Recipe Easy Homemade Sweet Molasses Beans

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A warm, familiar southern baked beans recipe featuring a slow-cooked blend of brown sugar and molasses for a sweet-savory comfort food classic.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb dry navy beans, soaked overnight
  • ½ cup brown sugar (packed, about 110 g)
  • ¼ cup molasses (about 60 ml), preferably unsulfured
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • About 4 cups water or low-sodium broth (950 ml)
  • Optional: a few dashes of hot sauce or cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 lb of dry navy beans under cold water, removing any debris. Place them in a large bowl and cover with cold water by at least 2 inches. Let soak overnight (8-12 hours) to soften and reduce cooking time.
  2. After soaking, drain the beans and rinse well to remove indigestible sugars.
  3. In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Stir in tomato paste, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Let these meld for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent sticking.
  5. Add the drained beans back to the pot. Pour in water or broth. Stir in brown sugar, molasses, and apple cider vinegar. Mix gently until well combined.
  6. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover partially with a lid to allow some steam to escape. Let the beans simmer for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add more water if the beans begin to dry out, aiming for a thick, syrupy consistency.
  7. About halfway through cooking, taste the beans and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or vinegar if needed. Add hot sauce or cayenne pepper if desired.
  8. Optional: Transfer the pot to a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) after stovetop simmering. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour until the top is bubbling and slightly caramelized.
  9. Remove from heat and let the beans sit for 10-15 minutes to thicken further and deepen in flavor before serving.

Notes

Soak beans overnight for best texture and to reduce cooking time. Cook slowly over low heat to prevent beans from bursting and sauce from scorching. Use unsulfured molasses for smoother taste. Stir gently to keep beans intact. Leftovers taste better the next day and freeze well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: southern baked beans, molasses beans, sweet baked beans, homemade baked beans, comfort food, slow cooked beans, navy beans, molasses recipe

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/comforting-southern-baked-beans-recipe-easy-homemade-sweet-molasses-beans/