Best 3 Down East Baked Beans Recipes

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Indulge in the rustic charm of Down East Baked Beans, a quintessential dish from Maine that embodies the region's culinary heritage. This hearty and comforting dish, often served at gatherings and celebrations, is a delightful blend of plump beans, savory pork, and a medley of aromatic spices. Explore two variations of this classic recipe: the traditional method, which utilizes dry beans soaked overnight and cooked from scratch, and a time-saving version that incorporates canned beans for a quicker preparation. Both recipes promise a flavorful and satisfying experience, offering a taste of Maine's culinary traditions.

Let's cook with our recipes!

DOWN HOME BAKED BEANS



Down Home Baked Beans image

This is a simple recipe for baked beans, and oh so good.

Provided by MEANJEANNE

Categories     Side Dish     Beans and Peas     Baked Bean Recipes

Time 1h25m

Yield 11

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 pound bacon
2 (28 ounce) cans baked beans
1 (12 ounce) bottle chili sauce
1 large sweet onion, chopped
2 cups packed brown sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
  • In a large bowl combine beans, chili sauce, onion, brown sugar and bacon. Pour into a 9x13 inch casserole dish.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 483.5 calories, Carbohydrate 71.6 g, Cholesterol 28.1 mg, Fat 19.1 g, Fiber 6.1 g, Protein 11.8 g, SaturatedFat 6.3 g, Sodium 883.5 mg, Sugar 51.1 g

OLD FASHIONED BAKED BEANS



Old Fashioned Baked Beans image

Deliciously thick, sweet, smoky and savory, these from-scratch Old Fashioned Baked Beans are sure to be a hit at your next BBQ, picnic, potluck or family dinner!

Provided by Kimberly Killebrew

Categories     Side Dish

Time 12h15m

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 pound dried navy beans
8 ounces thick cut bacon (, diced)
1 medium yellow onion (, finely chopped)
2 cloves garlic (, minced)
1/2 cup plain tomato sauce or ketchup
1/4 cup molasses
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 bay leaf

Steps:

  • Place the dried beans in a pot of water covered by a few inches of water and let soak overnight. Drain the beans, place them back in the pot with fresh water and bring to a boil. Simmer for one hour, then drain, reserving the liquid. See NOTE.
  • In a Dutch oven or other oven-proof pot fry the bacon until crispy then add the onions and cook until soft and translucent, 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.Stir in the tomato sauce, molasses, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, pepper and bay leaf.Add 1 1/2 cups of the reserved bean water and the beans.Bring everything to a simmer for a minute or two to heat it up. In the meantime preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Transfer the Dutch oven with the lid on to the middle rack of the oven. Bake for 2 to 3 hours or until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened, removing the lid during the last 20-30 minutes to help the sauce thicken. NOTE: If at any point during the cooking process too much liquid evaporates and the beans get dry, add a little more of the reserved bean water. The beans themselves can vary from batch to batch and you may end up either needing to add more liquid if the beans are too dry or you may need to bake the beans longer with the lid off if there is too much liquid. Adjust as needed.Add more salt the pepper to taste.Serve immediately or let cool completely and refrigerate until ready to serve. Can be reheated on the stovetop or in the microwave.
  • SLOW COOKER METHOD: Follow steps 1 and 2 and then pour everything into the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours or until the beans are tender. Open the lid for the last 30 minutes or longer until the sauce has thickened. If the beans are too thick at any point and too much liquid has evaporated, stir in a little extra water.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 537 kcal, Carbohydrate 78 g, Protein 22 g, Fat 16 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 25 mg, Sodium 1196 mg, Fiber 19 g, Sugar 33 g, ServingSize 1 serving

EASY BAKED BEANS



Easy Baked Beans image

My family enjoys this easy baked beans recipe with cornbread, but it also rounds out any cookout. Canned pork and beans make meal prep quick. -Phyllis Schmalz, Kansas City, Kansas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 1h30m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cans (28 ounces each) pork and beans
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 pound sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup cola
1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons ground mustard

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325°. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours or until bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 293 calories, Fat 5g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 5mg cholesterol, Sodium 793mg sodium, Carbohydrate 59g carbohydrate (42g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 9g protein.

Tips:

  • To save time, use canned beans. Just be sure to rinse them well before using.
  • If you're using dried beans, be sure to soak them overnight before cooking.
  • Use a variety of beans for a more complex flavor. Some good options include navy beans, Great Northern beans, and kidney beans.
  • Add some vegetables to your beans for a more nutritious dish. Some good options include onions, celery, carrots, and bell peppers.
  • Season your beans well. Some good options include salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  • Bake your beans on low heat for a long period of time. This will help them to develop a rich flavor.
  • Serve your beans with a side of cornbread or crackers.

Conclusion:

Down East baked beans are a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a winter meal. They are easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. So next time you're looking for a comforting and satisfying meal, give Down East baked beans a try. You won't be disappointed!

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