Classic Boston Baked Beans

This traditional recipe for classic Boston baked beans uses brown sugar and molasses to create a wonderful old-fashioned baked bean flavor.

Classic Boston Baked Beans

Classic Boston Baked Beans

Course Main Course
Servings 10
Calories 244 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups dried navy beans (1 pound)
  • ½ lb bacon (8 oz), cut into small pieces
  • ¼ lb salt pork (4 oz), rind removed and cut into small pieces
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • 2 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp dry mustard
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup brown sugar

Instructions
 

  • Cover beans with 2 cups of water and allow to soak for 6 – 12 hours. Drain and rinse.
  • Place the beans in a pan on the stovetop. Add bacon, salt pork, onion, molasses, salt, black pepper, dry mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar.
  • Cover the ingredients with water and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 30 minutes.
  • Pour ingredients into a 2-quart bean pot, cover and place in the oven.
  • Bake a 200℉ for 6-8 hours or until soft.  Add additional water as needed to keep the beans covered.
  • Hack: 1 tbsp prepared mustard can be substituted for the dry mustard.j
  • Hack:  If you don’t have a bean pot, use a heavy, covered casserole dish.
  • Hack:  Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze in individual serving sizes for up to 3 months.  Thaw beans completely before reheating them.
Keyword baked beans, Boston baked beans, dried beans, easy, inexpensive, navy beans

Did you know? Navy beans are a member of the legume family.  Legumes come in many options, are inexpensive and they’re packed with nutrition!!

Suggestion:  Serve these with some fresh homemade butter biscuits!

Slow Cooker Barbecue Pork and Beans

This easy-peasy slow cooker barbecue pork and beans recipe is made with pork chops, bacon and a sweet and spicy homemade barbecue sauce.

Slow Cooker Barbecue Pork and Beans

Slow Cooker Barbecue Pork and Beans

Course Main Course
Servings 4
Calories 580 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • cup dried great northern beans
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 onion, chopped (1 cup)
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, chopped (2 tbsp)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (1 tbsp)
  • 2 slices  bacon, cut into small pieces
  • 2 pork chops (8 oz total)
  • 1 cup beef bouillon
  • cup sweet and spicy barbecue sauce
  • ¾ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup brown sugar

Instructions
 

  • Cover beans with 2 cups of water and allow to soak for 6 – 12 hours. Drain and rinse.
  • Place beans in a slow cooker.  Cover them with the chopped onion, jalapeno pepper, garlic and bacon pieces.
  • Lay the porks chops in the slow cooker in a single layer.
  • In a small bowl, mix the bouillon, barbecue sauce, ketchup and brown sugar.  Pour this mixture over the top of the pork chops.
  • Cover the slow cooker and set it on low.  Cook on low for 8-12 hours or until beans are tender. This will depend on bean size and individual slow cooker temperature.
  • Hack:  If you don’t have great northern beans, use navy beans or whatever white beans you have on hand!
  • Hack: Frozen or dehydrated onions can be used in this recipe!
  • Hack:  One can of any kind of white bean can be substituted for the dried beans.  It is not necessary to soak the canned beans overnight.  Reduce slow cooker time to 3-5 hours or until pork chops are fork tender.
  • Hack:  Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze in serving-sized portions for up to 3 months.
Keyword barbecue, bbq, beans, dried beans, dried legumes, easy, great northern beans, healthy, pork, pork chop, quick prep, slow cooker, white beans

Did you know?  Great northern beans are a member of the legume family.  Legumes come in many options, are inexpensive and they’re packed with nutrition!!

Suggestion: Pair this dish with cheddar cheese jalapeno cornbread for a hearty and delicious meal!

Click here to check out my slow cooker recommendations!

Best Homemade Chili Beans

Small red kidney beans, tomato sauce, maple syrup, soy sauce and dried chili peppers make this the best homemade chili beans you’ll ever eat!

Best Homemade Chili Beans
Best Homemade Chili Beans

Best Homemade Chili Beans

 

⅔ cup dried small kidney beans or cattle beans

2 cups water

1 tbsp olive oil

½ cup chopped onion

1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp)

1 cup beef broth

½ cup tomato sauce

2 tsp maple syrup

2 tsp soy sauce

½ tsp paprika

3 oz salt pork, cut into small pieces

1 dried chili pepper (optional)

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

 

Place pinto beans in a bowl and cover with cool water. Cover the bowl and soak at room temperature for a minimum of 6 hours and a maximum of 12 hours.

Heat olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan. Add onion and saute until translucent but not brown, 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and simmer until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add broth, tomato sauce, maple syrup, soy sauce and paprika. Mix well.

Remove rind from salt pork and chop into small pieces. Place in the saucepan with beans and beef broth. Add dried chili pepper, if desired.

Simmer for 1½ to 2 hours, or until tender. Remove chili, add balsamic vinegar and allow to set for 30 minutes before serving. Reheat if necessary.

 

4 servings, 400 calories per serving

Hack: Serve with rice, cornbread or polenta for a great lunch/dinner or eggs for a hearty breakfast!

Hack: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days or freeze, sealed in serving-sized packages, for later use!

 

 

Spicy Baked Red Bean Casserole

Serve this spicy red bean casserole with rice, cornbread or tortillas for a satisfying meal or corn chips as an appetizer!

Red Bean Casserole

Red Bean Casserole

Course Main Course
Servings 4
Calories 285 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • cup dried small red beans
  • 4 cups water, divided
  • 1 red onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 jalapeno pepper
  • ½ inch fresh ginger, peeled
  • 2 slices bacon
  • tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 large tomatoes (1 pound or 2 cups chopped)
  • ¼ tsp chili powder
  • tsp garam masala
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup pickled red onions

Instructions
 

  • Cover beans with 2 cups of water and allow to soak for 6 - 12 hours. Drain and rinse.
  • Add 2 cups of water and beans to a saucepan. Turn heat to medium. Cover and simmer for 45-60 minutes or until tender, checking occasionally to ensure there is enough water to keep beans from scorching. Drain excess water, if necessary.
  • (NOTE: The above step can be done ahead. Store beans tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.)
  • Preheat the oven to 350℉.
  • Roughly chop onion and place in a blender or food processor with garlic, jalapeno and ginger. Puree until smooth adding a bit of water if necessary.
  • Cook bacon in a saute pan over medium-low heat until it's crispy and has rendered its fat. Add onion mixture, cumin and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the excess moisture has evaporated and turned a golden brown, 8 - 10 minutes.
  • Puree tomatoes in a blender or food processor. Mix tomatoes, onion mixture, chili powder and garam masala together. Gently stir in beans.
  • Transfer to an oven-safe dish and drizzle cream evenly over the top. Bake until sauce is thickened and the top is brown, 30 - 40 minutes.
  • Sprinkle top with pickled red onions and a small amount of brine.
  • Serve hot with rice or tortillas, if desired.
  • Hack: Freeze leftover portions sealed in serving-sized portions for future use. Allow to thaw completely in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Hack: One cup of frozen onions can be substituted for fresh onion in this recipe.
  • Hack: One 15 oz. can of red beans, drained and rinsed, can be substituted for the dried beans in this recipe.  Skip the soaking and stovetop cooking in this case.
  • Hack: 2 cups tomato sauce can be substituted for the fresh tomatoes.
Keyword baked beans, bean casserole, bean supper, beans, casserole, dried beans, dried legumes, easy, legumes, red beans

 

Did you know? Red beans are a member of the legume family.  Legumes come in many options, are inexpensive and they’re packed with nutrition!!

Suggestion: Pair this with some cheddar cheese jalapeno cornbread.

Hearty Healthy Black Bean Dip

This healthy black bean dip is a hearty, vegetarian dish that’s both flavorful and tasty. Serve it with chips or tortillas as an appetizer, snack or light meal!

Healthy Black Bean Dip

Healthy Black Bean Dip

Course Appetizer, Snack
Servings 6
Calories 245 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • cup dried black beans
  • 4 cups water, divided
  • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 red onion, minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (3 tsp)
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • ¾ tsp smoked paprika
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • ¼ cup boiling water
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ¾ cup cheddar cheese (3 oz)

Instructions
 

  • Cover beans with 2 cups of water and allow to soak for 6 - 12 hours. Drain and rinse.
  • Put 2 cups of water and beans to a saucepan. Turn heat to medium. Cover and simmer for 45-60 minutes or until tender, checking occasionally to ensure there is enough water to keep beans from scorching. Drain excess water, if necessary.
  • (NOTE: The above step can be done ahead. Store beans tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.)
  • Heat the oven to 475℉ degrees.
  • Heat olive oil in a saute pan over medium-low heat. Add onions and saute for 5 -10 minutes until translucent but not browned. Add garlic and saute until fragrant, about one minute.
  • Stir in the tomato paste, paprika, red pepper flakes and cumin. Saute for 30 seconds.
  • Add the beans, boiling water and generous pinches of salt and pepper, and stir to combine.
  • Transfer to an oven-safe dish and sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top.
  • Bake until the cheese has melted, 5 to 10 minutes. If the top is not as browned as you’d like, run the dip under the broiler for 1 or 2 minutes.
  • Serve immediately with corn chips, crusty bread, pita or rice.
  • Hack: One cup of frozen onions can be substituted for fresh onion in this recipe.
  • Hack: One 15 oz can of black beans can be substituted for the dried beans.
  • Hack: Store leftover dip in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Hack: Freeze leftover portions sealed in serving-sized portions for up to 6 months. Allow to thaw completely in the refrigerator before reheating.
Keyword appetizer, black bean, cheesy dip, dip, easy, football snacks, healthy, hearty, legume, snack, vegetarian

Did you know? Black beans are a member of the legume family.  Legumes come in many options, are inexpensive and they’re packed with nutrition!!

Suggestion:  Serve this dip with some authentic Indian flatbread naan!

 

Best BBQ Beans (Stove Top)

This is the best bbq beans recipe ever! It matches a few fresh and simple ingredients with navy beans for a hearty and healthy meal. And clean-up is a snap!

Best BBQ Beans

Best BBQ Beans

Course Main Course
Servings 4
Calories 425 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • cup dried navy beans
  • 2 cups water
  • 3 oz salt pork, chopped with rind removed
  • 1 onion, chopped (1 cup)
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, chopped (2 tbsp)
  • 2 cloves garlic minced (1 tbsp)
  • 1 cup chicken bouillon
  • 1 cup sweet and spicy barbecue sauce

Instructions
 

  • Cover beans with 2 cups of water and allow to soak for 6 - 12 hours. Drain and rinse.
  • Saute salt pork and onions in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until onions are tender (5-7 minutes). Add peppers and garlic. Saute until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Add bouillon and beans to the saucepan. Turn heat to medium. Cover and simmer for 45-60 minutes or until tender, checking occasionally to ensure there is enough water to keep beans from scorching.  Add more bouillon, if necessary.
  • Add barbecue sauce and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until the sauce is thickened.
  • Hack: Freeze leftover portions sealed in serving-sized portions for future use. Allow to thaw completely in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Hack: One cup of frozen onions can be substituted for fresh onion in this recipe. Dehydrated onions and/or garlic can also be used.
  • Hack: One 15 oz. can of navy beans, drained and rinsed can be substituted for the dried beans in this recipe.
  • Hack: Feel free to use your favorite white bean in this recipe or whatever you have on hand!
  • Hack: Mix things up by adding your favorite veggies such as bell peppers or carrots.
Keyword barbecue, bbq, beans, dried beans, dried legumes, easy, easy prep, healthy, legume, navy beans, one pan meal, one pan recipe, quick prep, white beans

Did you know? Navy beans are a member of the legume family.  Legumes come in many options, are inexpensive and they’re packed with nutrition!!

Suggestion: Serve with jalapeno cheddar cheese cornbread, if desired.

Easy Spicy Pinto Beans

Spicy pinto beans are easy to make right on your stovetop! They’re inexpensive and nutritious with a kick of spice and jalapeno pepper.

Spicy Pinto Beans

Spicy Pinto Beans

Course Main Course
Servings 4
Calories 395 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup dried pinto beans
  • 3 cups water, divided
  • 4 oz salt pork
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • ½ red bell pepper, chopped
  • ½ green bell pepper, chopped
  • ½ jalapeno pepper, minced
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • Salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Place pinto beans in a bowl and cover with 2 cups of cool water. Cover the bowl and soak at room temperature for a minimum of 6 hours and a maximum of 12 hours.
  • (NOTE:  The above step can be done ahead.  Drain beans and store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.)
  • Remove the rind from salt pork and chop it into small pieces. Place in a deep saucepan with beans, onion, peppers and spices. Cover with 1 cup of water.
  • Bring beans to a boil. Turn heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until beans are tender, 1 ½ to 2 hours. Stir occasionally and add water as necessary to keep the mixture covered. Increase water levels if a more soup-like consistency is desired.
  • Allow to set for 30 minutes before serving. Reheat if necessary.
  • Hack: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.  Allow to thaw completely in the refrigerator before reheating.
Keyword beans, dried beans, easy, healthy, low calorie, pinto beans, spicy, stovetop

Did you know?  Pinto beans are a member of the legume family.  Legumes come in many options, are inexpensive and they’re packed with nutrition!!

Suggestion:  Serve with Spanish rice for a great lunch/dinner or eggs for a hearty breakfast!

Sausage Lentil Stew with Oranges

Spicy Spanish chorizo teams up with hearty lentils and the sweetness of orange to create a unique and tasty sausage lentil stew with oranges!

Sausage Lentil Stew with Oranges

Sausage Lentil Stew with Oranges

Course Main Course
Servings 4
Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 oz Spanish chorizo sausage, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves minced garlic (2 tsp)
  • cups brown lentils, washed and drained
  • 1 cup dry red wine such as Pinot Noir
  • cups vegetable broth
  • 5 small oranges
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¾ tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp dried dill

Instructions
 

  • Heat oil in saute pan over medium heat. Add chorizo and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from pan.
  • Saute onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  • Turn heat to high. Add lentils and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  • Pour in the wine and simmer until almost evaporated, about 3 minutes.
  • Stir in the broth and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until lentils are soft, 40 - 45 minutes. Add more broth if necessary to maintain a stew-like consistancy.
  • Squeeze juice from two of the oranges and set aside. Remove peel and pith from the remaining oranges and slice fruit into ¼” rounds.
  • Add chorizo to lentils and stir in orange juice. Season with salt, pepper and dill. Remove from heat and gently stir in orange rounds.
  • Hack: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigeragtor for up to 5 days or frozen in serving-sized sealable freezer bags or containers for up to 3 months.
Keyword chorizo sausage, lentil, low calorie, oranges, spanish sausage, stew

Did you know?  Lentils are a member of the legume family.  Legumes come in many options, are inexpensive and packed with nutrition!!

Suggestion:  Italian herb focaccia bread goes nicely with this recipe!

error

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)

Follow by Email
YouTube
YouTube
Pinterest
Pinterest
fb-share-icon
LinkedIn
LinkedIn
Share
Instagram