Millie’s Baked Beans is a classic homestyle recipe featuring tender Great Northern beans baked slowly with sugar, vinegar, pork, and light seasoning for a comforting, hearty side dish. Perfect for gatherings, picnics, or family dinners, these beans balance sweetness and tanginess while delivering a rich, smoky depth from the pork. Slow-baked to perfection, they’re ideal for summer barbecues, potlucks, and holiday spreads.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Great Northern beans (about 5 cups cooked)
- hot water (enough to cover beans)
- 1 cup sugar (or up to 1 cup, white or brown)
- 2 tbsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- ½ lb pork (salt pork or bacon recommended)
- additional hot water as needed while baking
Instructions
Step 1: Soak Beans
- Place beans in a large bowl, cover with water, and soak overnight.
- Drain before cooking.
Step 2: Pre-Cook Beans
- Place drained beans in a large pot and cover with hot water.
- Simmer until beans are tender, about 45–60 minutes.
Step 3: Season and Prepare for Baking
- Add sugar, salt, pepper, and pork to the cooked beans.
- Stir to combine.
Step 4: Bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F and bake for 2–3 hours OR
- Bake at 250°F for 4–5 hours for a slower, deeper flavor.
- Always add hot water as needed while baking to keep beans moist.
Step 5: Serve
- Serve hot as a side dish for barbecues, potlucks, or family dinners.
Tips
- Always add hot water while baking (as written on the card) to keep beans moist and saucy.
- Use white or brown sugar as noted; brown sugar will create a deeper molasses-like flavor.
- Replace pork with bacon or salt pork for a smokier taste, or omit for a vegetarian version.
- Add a spoonful of mustard or molasses for classic New England flavor variation.
- Cook beans gently until just tender before baking to avoid splitting.
- A Dutch oven works well for even heat and moisture retention during baking.
- For hands-off cooking, finish the baking stage in a slow cooker on low until thick and bubbly.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper after baking; sweetness can be tuned by reducing sugar to ¾ cup as hinted on the card.
- Leftovers freeze well; portion into containers for easy meal prep.
Nutrition
Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 16gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.7gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 580mgPotassium: 960mgFiber: 11gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 90mgIron: 4.5mg