The Once and Future Beans

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown

Show: Good EatsEpisode: Pantry Raid: Cool Beans

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (65)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(65)

Cook Time:
8 hr 0 min
Level:
--
Yield:
6 servings

Times:

Prep: 30 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 8 hr 0 min
Total:: 8 hr 30 min

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Ingredients

1 pound dried Great Northern beans
1 pound bacon, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 jalapenos, chopped
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
Vegetable broth
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons kosher salt

Directions

Heat oven to 250 degrees F.

Soak beans in a plastic container overnight in just enough cold water to submerge them completely.

Place a cast iron Dutch oven over medium heat and stir in the bacon, onion, and jalapenos until enough fat has rendered from the bacon to soften the onions, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, dark brown sugar, and molasses.

Drain the beans and reserve the soaking liquid. Add the drained beans to the Dutch oven. Place the soaking liquid in a measuring cup and add enough vegetable broth to equal 4 cups of liquid. Add the liquid to the Dutch oven and bring to a boil over high heat. Add in cayenne, black pepper and salt. Give them a stir and cover with the lid. Place the Dutch oven in the oven for 6 to 8 hours, or until the beans are tender.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe The Once and Future Beans
NELSON LOWELL, MA 10-10-2009
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Great Starting Point
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I've made this recipe (or variations thereof) several times. The only problem I have with the orginal recipe is that Alton... says to soak the beans overnight in just enough cold water to submerge them. Well, the beans are going to expand to about twice their size. So, if you use a medium sized container and only enough water to submerge them, the beans are going to suck all almost all the liquid and be dry by the time you see them again the next day. So, I add enough wather to cover the beans by about an inch. Depending on my mood I'll make these beans with, or without the jalapenos. Two unseeded jalapenos add quite a bit of heat to this dish. So, if you're going for sweet without spice, either take the seeds out, or replace the jalapenos with green bell peppers. It's definitely a great recipe that lends itself to adding, omitting, and being creative with your ingredients.Read more
recipe The Once and Future Beans
Randy Gaithersburg, MD 06-19-2009
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Greatest Beans
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I have been cooking this since 2002. They are great for breakfast (since that is when they usually come out of the oven). ... The only change I have made to the recipe is to double the cayenne pepper and just just slice the jalapenos pepper thin on a V Slicer (leaving the seeds in). The only thing you need to watch is the quality of the bacon, it took me a few tries before I found a brand I liked. Every gathering I am always asked if I am bringing my beans, and everyone is pleasantly surprised by the heat. Read more
recipe The Once and Future Beans
Nicole South Lyon, MI 02-22-2009
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Best baked beans ever!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

We've made this recipe since we first saw the episode. We can't go to certain family functions without them, otherwise we... might as well not go. The recipe is great! We get wow's everytime we take them to new functions. The only change we made was just to add the whole 6 oz can of tomato paste so not to waste the rest. My husband likes it that way. Most friends refer to them as 'Jay's Beans' since he is the one responsible for making them most of the time. They are well worth the short time investment. Most of the time is spent waiting for the beans to soak or to cook. The hardest part is being patient for them to be done and smelling the goodness all day long! I have put mine in the oven and cooked them all day while I was at work. You can turn the temperature down but I don't recommend below 225'F because they do have to 'boil' (at 212'F) for some of the liquid to evaporate-otherwise they turn out too soupy. Not good for Alton's beans! You can also use the start & stop timers on your stove (if equipped). Read more
recipe The Once and Future Beans
Michael Florence, KY 01-06-2009
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bit much bacon
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

First time I followed the recipe as suggested. I found the bacon overwhelming. I have made the following mods: Reduce... bacon to 1/2 pound. Dropped the jalapenos to make toddler friendly. My daughter (2 years) loves these beans. Discoveries: This recipe works VERY well in a crockpot. The cooked beans freeze and thaw very well. Thanks AB. Read more
recipe The Once and Future Beans
Elizabeth New Brighton, MN 01-05-2009
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The BEST baked beans ever!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Nothing else needs to be said, except mayber add a little more jalepeno or habenero to turn it up a notch if you like,... although I would recommend a little extra molasses and/or brown sugar to balance out the heat. I have devoloped a cult following for these beans, and they sweat all the way...Read more
recipe The Once and Future Beans
Margi Evanston, IL 01-03-2009
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Three Words:
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Best. Beans. Ever.