Hearty New England Baked Beans

1. Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 300°F and position the rack in the lower-middle section to ensure even heat distribution.

2. Cook Salt Pork and Bacon

Place a Dutch oven over medium heat and cook the salt pork and bacon for about 7 minutes, until they render their fat and start to turn crispy.

3. Cook Onion

Add the finely chopped onion and continue to cook for another 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes soft and translucent.

4. Add Water, Beans, Molasses, and Mustard

Add 9 cups of water, the rinsed beans, ½ cup of molasses, and the mustard to the pot. Season with a good pinch of salt. Turn the heat up to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil.

5. Bake Beans

Once the mixture is boiling, cover the Dutch oven and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for 4 hours, giving it a stir halfway through to make sure the beans cook evenly.

6. Uncover and Continue Baking

After 4 hours, remove the lid and continue baking for another 1 to 1½ hours, or until the liquid has thickened to a syrupy consistency.

7. Stir in Molasses and Vinegar

Remove the pot from the oven and stir in the remaining tablespoon of molasses and the cider vinegar. Taste and season with salt and pepper to your liking. Serve the beans warm.