Instant Pot Boston Baked Beans with Molasses and Bacon
Classic New England baked beans transformed for the modern kitchen using an electric pressure cooker. Sweet molasses and brown sugar balance tangy ketchup and mustard, while crispy bacon adds smoky richness. Perfect for barbecues, potlucks, or cozy family dinners. The Instant Pot cuts traditional hours-long cooking down to under an hour, delivering tender beans with deep, caramelized flavors that taste like they simmered all day.
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried navy beansgreat northern beans1:1none
similar size and cooking time
- 1 onion, chopped
- ½ cup molasses
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 6 cups water
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Rinse the navy beans and pick out any debris
- 2
Combine the beans, onion, molasses, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, salt, pepper, and water in the Instant Pot
- 3
Close the lid and set to high pressure for 45 minutes
- 4
Allow natural pressure release for 15 minutes before manually releasing remaining pressure
- 5
Cook the chopped bacon in a skillet until crispy
- 6
Stir the cooked bacon into the beans and serve hot
Tips
Soak beans overnight for slightly faster cooking and more even texture
Taste before serving and adjust sweetness with more molasses or brown sugar as needed
Let beans rest 5-10 minutes after stirring in bacon to allow flavors to meld
Good to Know
Refrigerate up to 5 days in airtight container
Make 1-2 days ahead, flavors improve with time
Serve hot as side dish, reheat gently on stovetop
Common Mistakes
Don't skip natural pressure release to avoid bean skins bursting
Add salt after pressure cooking to prevent tough bean skins
Cook bacon separately to maintain crispiness
Substitutions
Vegan Options
Gluten-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I use canned beans instead of dried?
Yes, use 3 cans navy beans, reduce water to 1 cup, and pressure cook for just 5 minutes. The texture won't be quite as creamy as dried beans.
What if my beans are still too firm after cooking?
Pressure cook for additional 10-15 minutes with natural release. Older beans may need extra time to become tender.
How long do leftover baked beans keep?
Properly stored in the refrigerator, they'll keep for up to 5 days. They also freeze well for up to 3 months.