Berry Beer Baked Beans

Name: Berry Beer Baked Beans
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 75 min
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 9
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups dried borlotti, pinto, or cranberry beans, soaked overnight; Extra-virgin olive oil; 1 medium red onion, chopped; 1/4 cup molasses; 1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard; 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 3 cups berry beer; 1/2 cup dried berries and/or cherries, loosely chopped; 2 cups light vegetable broth; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; Salt to taste

Recipe GLPR3443d6ea74bc46

American

Side Dish

90 min

50 cal

Servings: 9

Oven

Stovetop

A unique and flavorful baked beans dish that combines earthy legumes with the tartness of berry beer and dried fruits. Borlotti, pinto, or cranberry beans are slow-cooked with aromatic vegetables, warming spices, and a touch of molasses to create a rich, complex main course. This plant-based dish celebrates bold flavors with smoked paprika and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes, finished with the fruity notes of dried berries. Perfect as a standalone meal or served alongside fresh bread.

Save recipes you love

Create a free Grocery List Plus account to save recipes, rate them, and add every ingredient to your grocery list in one tap.

Create free account Sign in

Ingredients

2 cups dried borlotti, pinto, or cranberry beans, soaked overnight

Extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium red onion, chopped

1/4 cup molasses

1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

3 cups berry beer

1/2 cup dried berries and/or cherries, loosely chopped

2 cups light vegetable broth

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Salt to taste

Directions

Drain the soaked beans and rinse them thoroughly under cold water. Set aside.
Heat a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven over medium heat with a light drizzle of olive oil. Add the chopped red onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the molasses, Dijon mustard, crushed red pepper flakes, and smoked paprika, mixing well to combine with the onions and creating an aromatic base.
Pour in the berry beer and light vegetable broth, stirring to dissolve and blend the molasses and mustard completely.
Add the drained beans and dried berries or cherries to the pot, stirring gently to distribute all ingredients evenly.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and transfer to a preheated 325°F oven.
Bake for approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until the beans are very tender and the liquid has reduced to a thick, glossy consistency. Stir occasionally during cooking.
Remove from the oven and season with additional salt to taste. If the beans are still too soupy, return uncovered to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes to thicken further.
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Drizzle with a bit more olive oil if desired and serve hot.

Comments

Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff4

This is a workable side dish, but the 90-minute time statement needs reality-checking: active prep (dicing onion, measuring spices) runs ten minutes, then it's pure oven time with no babysitting, so weeknight-friendly if you plan ahead. All ingredients land at Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Kroger, and Walmart without a special trip, though berry beer (a craft option) may require a liquor store visit depending on your local chain's selection—budget the extra stop if you want a specific brand. At nine servings for roughly $12 in total ingredients, you're at about $1.35 per serving, driven mostly by the beer and molasses; it reheats beautifully and makes a smart make-ahead for a cookout. The real fit is a Southern potluck or barbecue side, not a weeknight vegetable; it's heavy, sweet, and best alongside pulled pork or brisket rather than a light meal.