Homemade (No)Pork and Beans, updated with IP directions!

Homemade (No)Pork and Beans are better than the store brand, your ingredients, your kitchen, for your family. And you don't have to fish out that piece of pork fat after you open the can...

Not just for the summertime. 

We eat a lot of beans in this family! My husband, in particular, is always interested in a side dish of beans to go along with whatever else, we might be having at mealtime. Commercially prepared bean products are convenient, but more than double in price for what you can make them for at home. Plus your own homemade Homemade (No)Pork and Beans will be preservative and additive-free. 

Beans and your favorite kitchen appliances are already best friends!

Fortunately, beans and Crock-Pots are good friends, as are beans and Pressure Cookers! A little advanced planning and you can have these stirred together in the morning before everything else that must be done, or put them on to cook right after dinner. Either way, it works out great that beans and freezers are also good friends! Personally, I like to store Homemade (No)Pork and Beans in pint-sized freezer jars, they seem like the perfect size container for our family. Just like those cans from the store...

This simple bean recipe will save you money...

You can use your own Homemade (No)Pork and Beans in any recipe calling for the commercially canned variety. And there are a lot of recipes calling for pork and beans because they have been around for a very long time with a history and use of making meals more affordable in lean times. Years ago during the recession, in the 1980's I would use a can of pork and beans along with a pound of hamburger to double my recipe of taco meat. 

Beans in a quick bread, say it isn't so!

Years ago my Mom came across a delicious Quick Bread recipe calling for a can of pork and beans and I have to tell you, if you were not told that the bread had beans as one of the ingredients, you would never have known. I have continued to make that same recipe through the years because it really is delicious, but with my own spin of whole wheat flour of course! The thing is, food manufacturers always share delicious recipes because they want you to buy their product, and now you can easily make your own.

Some thoughts on this recipe:

The large piece of cooked onion can be discarded, but for onion lovers, it is quite tasty, my husband looks forward to eating it without sharing a bite! 

If using the IP directions, no need to bring the water to a boil!

Or use the cooked onion when making stock or broth, it adds a mild onion flavor, just toss it in the freezer until you need to make broth. 

Homemade (No)Pork and Beans are excellent cold along with a sandwich or burger. 

And for those who indulge in this secret pleasure, scooped up on a potato chip!

Ingredients needed for this recipe:

• navy beans
• sugar
• onion
• salt 
• molasses
• mustard
• catsup, you will find our recipe here.

You will also need:

• Crock-Pot/slow cooker
• knife
• measuring cups
• measuring spoons
• cutting board
• storage containers with lids

Now you are ready to begin!

Homemade (No)Pork and Beans

Homemade (No)Pork and Beans
by the seat of my pants!

UPDATED: 02.25.2024

1 pound navy beans, soak overnight or use a quick soak, drained well
1 large onion, cut 3 thin slices from the end, leave the remaining onion whole, mince the slices
1 T salt
2 T molasses
6 T sugar
1 T Ballpark mustard (simple yellow mustard)
2 T catsup
3 1/2 - 4 c boiling water*

Peel and cut the onion as directed above, mincing the slices. 

Place the drained beans in the bottom of the slow cooker, add the whole onion piece, and bury it in the beans. 

Scatter the remaining ingredients minced onion, salt, molasses, sugar, Ballpark mustard, and catsup over the top of the beans. 

Add boiling water, cook on low for 8 hours, or until tender. 

Remove the large piece of cooked onion and discard, if desired.

* Depending upon your slow cooker, you may need up to 4 cups of water. However, if the beans are a bit "soupy" when fully cooked, turn the cooker up to high and allow to cook until the sauce has thickened to your liking.

Instant Pot Directions, combine as above, secure the lid and close the valve. Let pressure build and cook for 30 minutes, allow to sit NPR for 10 minutes and release the valve, once pressure is exhausted, carefully open the lid. 

Storage options for Homemade (No)Pork and Beans. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to five days. Or freeze in covered containers for longer storage times. Thaw frozen beans in the refrigerator before using or serving. 

UPDATE:  For your convenience, a "copy and paste" version of Homemade (No)Pork and Beans has been included below.

You may also enjoy:

Gratin of White Beans with Cream and fresh Tomatoes. 

#HomemadeGroceryStoreRecipe!

#DIYHomemadeHousehold

#wholefoodingredients

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Printable "copy and paste" version:

Homemade (No)Pork and Beans
by the seat of my pants!

UPDATED: 02.25.2024

1 pound navy beans, soak overnight or use a quick soak, drained well
1 large onion, cut 3 thin slices from the end, leave the remaining onion whole, mince the slices
1 T salt
2 T molasses
6 T sugar
1 T Ballpark mustard (simple yellow mustard)
2 T catsup
3 1/2 - 4 c boiling water*

Peel and cut the onion as directed above, mincing the slices. 

Place the drained beans in the bottom of the slow cooker, add the whole onion piece, and bury it in the beans. 

Scatter the remaining ingredients minced onion, salt, molasses, sugar, Ballpark mustard, and catsup over the top of the beans. 

Add boiling water, cook on low for 8 hours, or until tender. 

Remove the large piece of cooked onion and discard, if desired.

* Depending upon your slow cooker, you may need up to 4 cups of water. However, if the beans are a bit "soupy" when fully cooked, turn the cooker up to high and allow to cook until the sauce has thickened to your liking.

Instant Pot Directions, combine as above, secure the lid and close the valve. Let pressure build and cook for 30 minutes, allow to sit NPR for 10 minutes and release the valve, once pressure is exhausted, carefully open the lid. 

Storage options for Homemade (No)Pork and Beans. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to five days. Or freeze in covered containers for longer storage times. Thaw frozen beans in the refrigerator before using or serving. 

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