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Cozy Baked Beans Recipe with Brown Sugar and Molasses

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A warm, comforting baked beans recipe featuring brown sugar and molasses for a sweet and smoky flavor. Easy to prepare and perfect for gatherings or cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups dry navy beans (about 300g), soaked overnight or quick-soaked
  • 6 cups water or low-sodium broth (1.4 liters)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons molasses
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt to taste (about 1 teaspoon, added near the end)

Instructions

  1. Soak the beans overnight in plenty of cold water or quick-soak by boiling for 2 minutes then soaking for 1 hour. Drain and rinse before cooking.
  2. Place soaked beans in a large pot or Dutch oven with 6 cups of water or broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook gently for 1 to 1 ½ hours until tender but not falling apart. Add water if needed to keep beans submerged.
  3. While beans cook, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent and slightly caramelized, about 7-8 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute.
  4. In a bowl, combine brown sugar, molasses, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Stir until smooth.
  5. Drain beans, reserving about 1 cup of cooking liquid. Return beans to pot, add sautéed onions and garlic, pour in sauce mixture and reserved liquid. Stir gently to combine.
  6. Simmer uncovered over low heat for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and coats the beans.
  7. About 5 minutes before finishing, add salt to taste and stir. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  8. Allow beans to cool slightly before serving to let flavors meld.

Notes

Add salt near the end of cooking to prevent toughening the beans. If sauce thickens too much, add reserved bean liquid or water to loosen. For vegan version, replace butter with olive oil and use vegan Worcestershire sauce. Molasses adds a unique smoky-sweet depth; start with 2 tablespoons if new to molasses.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, brown sugar, molasses, comfort food, slow-cooked beans, easy side dish, smoky baked beans

Find it online: https://shimmersnack.com/cozy-baked-beans-recipe-with-brown-sugar-and-molasses-easy-and-perfect/