Rustic Molasses Baked Beans Recipe – Ina Garten’s Cozy Magic

Summers call for hearty side dishes that steal the show at backyard gatherings, and this molasses baked beans recipe from Ina Garten delivers pure comfort on a plate.

Rich, smoky flavors dance through every spoonful of these irresistible beans.

The sweet and robust molasses creates a deep, caramelized base that transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Each bite carries a perfect balance of sweetness and savory notes that complement grilled meats beautifully.

Slow-cooked to perfection, these beans promise a mouthwatering experience that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Grab your skillet and get ready to become the neighborhood’s barbecue hero with this crowd-pleasing classic.

What You’ll Need for Ina Garten’s Molasses Baked Beans

• Dried Navy Beans: The star of the dish, these creamy legumes absorb rich flavors and provide hearty texture. Choose beans that are uniform in color, smooth, and free from cracks or moisture spots.
• Water: Essential for softening and hydrating beans, helping them become tender and delicious.

• Pork Belly, Bacon: Adds deep, smoky richness and luxurious fat that creates incredible depth of flavor. Select high-quality, well-marbled cuts for maximum taste.

• Onions: Provides sweet, caramelized undertones that complement the beans' earthiness. Look for firm, fragrant onions without soft spots.
• Brown Sugar: Introduces gentle sweetness and helps create a beautiful caramelized exterior.
• Ketchup: Adds tangy complexity and subtle tomato richness.
• Molasses: Delivers deep, robust sweetness with a hint of warmth. Choose dark molasses for intense flavor.
• Maple Syrup: Brings natural, woodsy sweetness that elevates the entire dish.
• Vinegar: Balances sweetness with bright, sharp acidity.
• Dry Mustard: Contributes subtle heat and complexity.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces gentle, warming spiciness.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance all flavors.

Tools Required for Ina Garten’s Sweet Baked Beans

• Dutch oven: Large, heavy-bottomed pot perfect for slow cooking beans and creating rich flavors.
• Sauté pan: Spacious skillet for browning pork belly, bacon, and sautéing onions evenly.
• Large bowl: Essential for soaking beans overnight and preparing ingredients.
• Slotted spoon: Helps remove pork and bacon from pan while draining excess fat.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurately measuring ingredients like brown sugar, ketchup, and spices.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: For precise ingredient preparation.

Instructions to Simmer Ina’s Molasses Beans to Perfection

Bean Transformation

• Bean Soaking Adventure A delightful overnight water bath helps beans become tender and ready for magic. Cover dried beans generously with cool water in a spacious bowl, then tuck them into the refrigerator.
• Kitchen Warm-Up Gently coax your oven to a low and steady temperature, creating the perfect environment for slow-cooking deliciousness.
• Bean Softening Ritual Drain the soaked beans and transfer them to a sturdy Dutch oven. Submerge beans in fresh water, letting them simmer peacefully until they become incredibly soft and dreamy.
• Pork Party Create crispy, golden edges on pork pieces by dancing them around a hot skillet. Let the meaty bits develop a beautiful color before setting them aside.
• Onion Symphony Sauté onions in the same pan, allowing them to transform into sweet, caramelized whispers of flavor.
• Flavor Fusion Combine the tender beans with sautéed onions, crispy pork, and a symphony of sweet and tangy ingredients. Let each component tell its delicious story.
• Slow Love Baking Cover the beans and let them mingle in the oven, developing deep, rich flavors over several hours. Occasionally peek and add water if needed.
• Final Flourish Unveil the beans in their final moments, letting them achieve a gorgeous mahogany glow that promises incredible taste.

Customize the Sweetness in Ina Garten’s Beans

• Add a splash of bourbon or dark rum to the bean mixture for an extra layer of richness and depth that elevates the traditional baked bean profile.
• Swap pork belly and bacon with diced ham, smoked turkey, or even plant-based bacon alternatives to suit different dietary preferences without losing the smoky essence.
• Prepare the beans up to 3 days in advance and store in the refrigerator. Gently reheat in the oven, adding a touch of water to maintain moisture and restore that perfect creamy texture.
• Experiment with heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes or adding chipotle powder for a smoky kick. For milder palates, reduce the spice or use a pinch of sweet paprika instead.
• Repurpose extra baked beans as a topping for baked potatoes, stirred into scrambled eggs, or as a hearty sandwich spread to minimize food waste and maximize deliciousness.

Best Ways to Present Ina Garten’s Baked Beans

• Savor Southern Comfort: Create a classic American barbecue spread that celebrates these rich, hearty beans as the star side dish. Pair with grilled meats like pulled pork or smoked brisket for a mouthwatering combo that screams summer gathering.
• Rustic Brunch Centerpiece: Transform this dish into a weekend brunch showstopper by serving alongside fluffy buttermilk biscuits, crispy bacon, and soft scrambled eggs. The molasses-infused beans add a deep, sweet-savory complexity that elevates the entire meal.
• Perfect Potluck Contribution: Bring these beans to your next community gathering or family reunion in a rustic cast-iron dish. Their gorgeous mahogany color and rich aroma will have everyone asking for seconds and begging for the recipe.
• Hearty Winter Warmer: During cold months, serve these beans as a comforting main course with crusty bread and a simple green salad. The deep, warm flavors provide excellent nourishment and will chase away winter chills with every delicious bite.

Keep Leftovers Fresh: Ina Garten’s Beans Edition

• Quick Refrigerate Beans: Store uncooked soaked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Extend Meal Longevity: Transfer cooled baked beans to sealed containers and refrigerate for 4-5 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention and easy reheating for quick meals.
• Smart Freezing Strategy: Package beans in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen baked beans will stay delicious for 2-3 months when properly sealed.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated beans in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water to restore moisture. Stir gently to prevent breaking beans and maintain their rich, hearty texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 5 hours

Total Time: 5 hours 30 minutes

Calories: 440 kcal

Servings: 8

Hearty Ina Garten Molasses Baked Beans Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Classic molasses baked beans dance with rich, smoky flavors from Ina Garten’s kitchen. Hearty legumes mingle with bacon and sweet molasses, creating a comforting side dish perfect for gatherings you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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• 1½ lbs (680 g) dried cannellini or Great Northern white beans
• 0.5 lbs (227 g) pork belly (rind removed), ½-inch diced
• 0.5 lbs (227 g) slab smoked bacon, ½-inch diced
• 2 cups (480 ml) chopped yellow onions (2 onions)
• 1½ cups (360 g) light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 0.5 cups (120 ml) ketchup, such as Heinz
• 0.5 cups (120 ml) molasses, such as Grandma’s
• 0.5 cups (120 ml) pure maple syrup
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp (15 g) dry mustard, such as Coleman’s
• 0.5 tsp (2.5 g) crushed red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Bean Preparation: Soak dried beans overnight in refrigerator, fully submerged in cold water. Drain and transfer to Dutch oven, covering with fresh water. Bring to boil, then simmer until beans become tender, approximately 45-50 minutes. Remove foam during cooking process.
2. Meat Rendering: Cook pork belly and bacon in sauté pan over medium heat until golden and crisp. Extract meat using slotted spoon, reserving rendered fat for subsequent cooking.
3. Aromatic Foundation: Caramelize onions in reserved meat fat over medium-low heat until soft and translucent, approximately 5-7 minutes.
4. Flavor Composition: Combine cooked beans, sautéed onions, crispy meat, brown sugar, ketchup, molasses, maple syrup, vinegar, dry mustard, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Pour boiling water to completely cover bean mixture.
5. Slow Baking: Position oven rack in middle section, heated to 150°C / 300°F. Cover Dutch oven and bake for 5 hours, checking liquid levels periodically. Add boiling water if beans appear dry to prevent scorching.
6. Finishing Touch: During final 15 minutes, uncover beans to develop rich mahogany color and glossy surface. Adjust seasoning and serve hot.

Notes

• Overnight Soak Strategy: Refrigerate beans in cold water for even hydration and to prevent fermentation.
• Precise Bean Cooking: Simmer beans until tender but not mushy, removing foam to ensure clean flavor and texture.
• Fat Rendering Technique: Cook pork belly and bacon slowly to extract maximum flavor without burning, using the rendered fat for additional depth.
• Liquid Management: Check beans hourly during long baking, adding boiling water to maintain moisture and prevent scorching, ensuring a rich, glossy final dish.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 hours
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 440
• Sugar: 44 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 67 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg