Description
Alton Brown’s baked beans showcase a classic American comfort dish with complex layers of smoky, sweet flavors. Hearty ingredients meld together, creating a rich side that complements grilled meats and summer gatherings you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) dried Great Northern beans
- 1 lb (454 g) bacon, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 jalapenos, chopped
- ¼ cup (60 ml) molasses
- ¼ cup (50 g) dark brown sugar
- ¼ cup (60 ml) tomato paste
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- Vegetable broth (as needed)
Instructions
- Bean Preparation: Meticulously rinse and sort dried beans, discarding any imperfect legumes. Submerge beans in cold water, ensuring 2 inches of liquid coverage, and soak for 8-12 hours at room temperature.
- Bacon and Vegetable Prep: Slice bacon into uniform pieces and finely chop onions and jalapeños. In a cast-iron Dutch oven, render bacon over medium heat until slightly crisp, then incorporate onions and jalapeños, sautéing until translucent and aromatic.
- Flavor Foundation: Introduce molasses, dark brown sugar, and tomato paste to the bacon-vegetable mixture, creating a rich, caramelized base. Drain soaked beans, reserving the soaking liquid, and add to the Dutch oven.
- Liquid Integration: Blend reserved soaking liquid with vegetable broth to achieve a total liquid volume. Pour the mixture over beans, ensuring complete coverage. Season with salt, black pepper, and cayenne, stirring thoroughly.
- Slow Cooking Process: Secure the Dutch oven lid and place in a preheated oven at 250°F (121°C). Slow cook for 6-8 hours, intermittently monitoring moisture and bean tenderness. Remove when beans are exceptionally soft and the liquid has reduced to a thick, glossy consistency.
Notes
- Soak Strategically: Use cold water and allow 8-12 hours for beans to soften, preventing tough texture and ensuring even cooking.
- Bacon Basics: Render bacon slowly to release maximum flavor and create a rich, aromatic base for the beans.
- Liquid Leverage: Maintain adequate moisture by combining soaking liquid and broth, preventing beans from drying out during long, slow cooking.
- Patience Pays Off: Low and slow oven temperature (250°F) guarantees tender, deeply flavored beans with a luxurious, glossy consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg