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Pork and Beans

Pork and Beans

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with the ultimate comfort food classic: pork and beans! Our recipe takes this timeless dish to new heights, infusing it with layers of flavor that will leave you craving more. Whether you're planning a cozy night in or a backyard barbecue bash, this hearty and wholesome meal is sure to steal the show. Stay tuned for the full recipe that will have you coming back for seconds!
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Prep Time 8 hrs
Cook Time 3 hrs
Total Time 11 hrs
Course Breakfast, Main Course, Side Dish
Servings 6 Servings
Calories 425 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound 450g dried navy beans, soaked overnight
  • 1 pound 450g pork shoulder or bacon, diced
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup 120ml ketchup
  • 1/4 cup 60ml molasses
  • 1/4 cup 60ml brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 cups 960ml chicken or vegetable broth
  • Optional: Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions
 

Prepare the Beans

  • Drain and rinse the soaked navy beans.
  • Place them in a large pot and cover with water.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until beans are tender but not mushy.
  • Drain and set aside.

Cook the Pork

  • Chop the bacon
  • In a separate large pot or Dutch oven, cook the diced pork shoulder or bacon over medium heat until browned and crispy.
  • Remove from the pot and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.

Sauté the Aromatics

  • Chop the onion and garlic.
  • In the same pot with the rendered fat, add diced onion. Sauté until onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  • When the onions are translucent and minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds to a minute until the garlic if fragrant.

Combine the Ingredients

  • Return the cooked pork and beans to the pot with the onions and garlic.
  • Add the ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
  • Stir to combine everything well.

Simmer

  • Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth until the beans and pork are just covered. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cover and cook for 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld and the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
  • Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cover and cook for 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld and the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.

Serve

  • Once the pork and beans are cooked to perfection, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
    Pork and Beans

Enjoy

  • Enjoy this comforting and flavorful pork and beans dish with your favorite side dishes such as cornbread, coleslaw, or steamed vegetables. It's also great as leftovers and freezes well for future meals.
    Pork and Beans
  • This recipe is a crowd-pleaser and will surely satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Give it a try and watch it become a beloved favorite in your household!

Notes

Tips and Tricks
  1. Choose the Right Beans: While navy beans are traditional for pork and beans, you can also use other varieties like Great Northern beans or even cannellini beans. Just make sure to soak them overnight for optimal texture.
  2. Render the Fat: When cooking the pork shoulder or bacon, make sure to render the fat until it's crispy and golden brown. This step adds a depth of flavor to the dish.
  3. Don't Skip the Aromatics: Onions and garlic are essential for building flavor in this dish. Take the time to sauté them until they're soft and fragrant before adding the other ingredients.
  4. Adjust the Sweetness: The sweetness of the dish can be adjusted to your taste preferences. If you like it sweeter, add more brown sugar or molasses. For a more balanced flavor, you can reduce the amount of sweeteners.
  5. Play with Seasonings: Feel free to customize the seasoning blend to suit your palate. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat, or swap out the smoked paprika for chipotle powder for a smoky kick.
  6. Simmer Slow and Low: Let the pork and beans simmer gently over low heat to allow the flavors to meld together. This slow cooking process will result in a thick and rich sauce.
  7. Add Fresh Herbs: Garnish your pork and beans with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for a pop of color and freshness. This adds a nice contrast to the hearty flavors of the dish.
  8. Make it Ahead: Pork and beans taste even better the next day as the flavors have had time to develop. Prepare it ahead of time and reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.
By following these tips and tricks, you'll be able to create a mouthwatering batch of pork and beans that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Storing Recommendations
  1. Refrigeration: Allow the pork and beans to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  2. Freezing: Pork and beans freeze exceptionally well, making them a convenient option for meal prep. Transfer the cooled pork and beans to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label the containers with the date and contents, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  3. Thawing: When ready to enjoy, thaw frozen pork and beans in the refrigerator overnight. Alternatively, you can reheat them gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You may need to add a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce as it reheats.
  4. Portioning: Consider dividing the pork and beans into smaller portions before storing, especially if you're freezing them. This way, you can thaw only what you need, reducing waste and ensuring the rest of the batch stays fresh.
  5. Quality Check: Before consuming leftover or thawed pork and beans, give them a quick visual and aroma check. Discard any batches that show signs of spoilage, such as mold or off odors.
  6. Reheating: When reheating pork and beans, do so gently over low to medium heat to prevent scorching. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating and add a splash of broth or water if needed to maintain the desired consistency.
Creation Time
The total time required to make this pork and beans recipe can vary depending on factors such as the type of beans used, the cooking method, and personal preferences for flavor development. However, here's a general breakdown of the time involved:
  • Preparation Time: Soaking the dried navy beans overnight is recommended, which takes about 8 hours of passive time.
  • Cooking Time: Cooking the soaked beans typically takes 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Preparation and Cooking of Other Ingredients: Preparing the pork, sautéing aromatics, and combining all the ingredients takes about 15-20 minutes.
  • Simmering Time: Once all ingredients are combined, the mixture needs to simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
  • Total Time: In total, you're looking at around 2.5 to 3.5 hours from start to finish, including preparation, cooking, and simmering.
While this recipe requires some time investment, much of it is hands-off, allowing you to multitask or attend to other activities while the beans cook and the flavors develop. The end result is well worth the wait—a hearty and flavorful dish that's perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Slow Cooker Instructions
  1. Place the soaked navy beans, diced pork shoulder or bacon, diced onion, minced garlic, ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and chicken or vegetable broth in the slow cooker.
  2. Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
  3. Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours or on high heat for 4-5 hours, or until the beans are tender and the pork is cooked through.
  4. Once the pork and beans are cooked, taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  5. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
By using a slow cooker, you can enjoy the same delicious pork and beans with minimal hands-on time. Just set it and forget it, and come back to a flavorful and satisfying meal!
Keyword Pork and Beans, recipe