Alton Brown The Once And Future Beans

This delicious slow-cooked bean recipe, inspired by Alton Brown, is rich, hearty, and packed with smoky flavor. It’s an easy, hands-off dish that simmers to perfection in the oven, making it ideal for cozy dinners or meal prep. Made with simple pantry staples, these beans are tender, slightly sweet, and perfect with crusty bread or cornbread!

Recipe Ingredients:

• 1 pound dried Great Northern beans
• 1 pound bacon, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 jalapenos, seeded and chopped
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• Vegetable broth
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon urfa biber (optional but strongly suggested)

How To Make The Once And Future Beans?

1. Soak the Beans: Place the beans in a large bowl and cover with cold water until just submerged. Let soak overnight.
2. Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 120ºC / 250ºF.
3. Cook the Bacon and Aromatics: In a large cast iron Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the bacon, onion, and jalapeños, stirring occasionally, until the bacon renders enough fat to soften the onions (about 5 minutes).
4. Add the Sweet and Savory Elements: Stir in the tomato paste, dark brown sugar, and molasses until well combined.
5. Prepare the Liquid: Drain the soaked beans, reserving the liquid. Measure the soaking liquid and add enough vegetable broth to make 950ml / 4 cups total.
6. Combine Everything: Add the drained beans and prepared liquid to the Dutch oven. Bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in the cayenne, black pepper, and salt.
7. Bake the Beans: Cover the Dutch oven with a lid and transfer to the preheated oven. Cook for 6 to 8 hours, until the beans are tender.
8. Serve and Enjoy: Let cool slightly before serving. These beans pair beautifully with cornbread or crusty bread.

Recipe Tips:

• Soak the Beans Overnight for Best Texture : This helps them cook evenly and become tender without breaking apart. If you’re short on time, use the quick soak method: boil them for 1 minute, cover, and let sit for an hour before draining.
• Don’t Skip the Bacon Render Step : Cooking the bacon with onions and jalapeños releases flavor into the dish. Make sure the onions turn soft and slightly golden before adding other ingredients.
• Measure the Liquid Carefully : The beans need exactly 4 cups (950ml) of liquid to cook properly. Too much liquid will make them soupy, while too little will dry them out.
• Stir Only Once or Twice While Cooking – Stirring too much can break the beans and make them mushy. If needed, give them a gentle stir halfway through cooking to ensure even distribution.
• Bake Low and Slow for the Best Flavor : Cooking at 120ºC / 250ºF for 6 to 8 hours allows the beans to soak up all the smoky, sweet, and savory flavors, making them incredibly rich and delicious.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: Let the leftover beans cool to room temperature. Transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed.
• Freeze: Once cooled, place the beans in a freezer-safe container or bag, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Rehat: Place the beans in a saucepan over low heat, adding a bit of water or broth to loosen them up. Stir occasionally and heat for 5–10 minutes until warmed through.

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 485
• Total Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Cholesterol: 45mg
• Sodium: 1,200mg
• Potassium: 500mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 38g
• Dietary Fiber: 8g
• Sugars: 12g
• Protein: 16g

Check out More Recipes:

• Alton Brown Red Beans And Rice
• Alton Brown Turkey Re-Hash: Reloaded
• Alton Brown Deep-Fried Turkey
• Alton Brown Traditional Roast Turkey