The first time that I tasted cider beans was at the local gas station. Here in the mountains, folks gather at the local gas station to visit, have a meal, and catch up on the local news. Far from serving “fast food,” these little places present “home cookin’,” and it’s delicious. This good ol’ mountain recipe is very satisfying paired with cornbread or muffins.–Joan E. Aller
Where Can I get a Ceramic Bean Pot?
Thanks to this recipe, we’re experiencing some serious ceramic bean pot envy. We want one. Those of you who have one, where’d you get yours?
Appalachian Cider-Baked Beans
Equipment
- Slow cooker (if following the slow cooker method)
Ingredients
- 3 cups dried pinto beans
- 3 cups fresh apple cider
- 8 ounces salt pork, thinly sliced
- 2 small yellow onions, peeled and left whole
- 6 tablespoons molasses, preferably sorghum molasses
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard
- 2 teaspoons salt
Instructions
- To make the Appalachian Cider Beans in your slow cooker, see the Slow Cooker Variation below.
To make the Appalachian Cider Beans as God intended, in the oven, pick over the beans, discarding any stones and wrinkled beans. Rinse well and place in a large bowl. Add cold water to cover by 3 inches, cover, and let soak for 12 hours. - Drain the beans and dump them into a heavy saucepan. Add the cider and slowly bring the beans to a boil over medium heat. Gently boil, uncovered, for about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and drain the beans, reserving the cooking liquid.
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (149°C).
- Layer half of the salt pork slices on the bottom of a 2-quart ceramic bean pot or other deep baking dish, such as a Dutch oven. Spoon the beans into the pot and then bury the onions in the beans.
- In a small saucepan, combine the molasses, dry mustard, and salt and place over medium heat until the mustard and salt dissolve into the molasses. Pour the mixture evenly over the beans and top with the remaining salt pork slices. Add the reserved cooking liquid to the pot. Add hot water as needed to cover the beans with liquid. Cover the pot.
- Bake for 4 hours, then uncover the pot and add more water if the beans seem dry. Recover and continue to bake for 1 to 2 hours, until the beans are tender. Serve hot, directly from the pot. Originally published June 27, 2011.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe Testers’ Reviews
This was a fun recipe to transfer to the Crock-Pot. Wanting to keep it simple, I elected not to simmer the beans with the cider but to use 2 cups of cider with my soaked but uncooked beans. The perfect balance of salty and sweet with deep flavors of molasses and mustard.
While the beans could have used a bit more time in the slow cooker, the flavor was absolutely wonderful. I’ll definitely make these again, but I will plan on 10 hours in the slow cooker to get the beans to the point where they give up all resistance.
I placed the salt pork on the bottom of the Crock-Pot, layered the beans on top of the salt pork, and poured the cider on the beans. I then buried the onions in the beans. I heated the molasses in the microwave on 50% power for 30 seconds. This was the perfect temperature for the mustard to blend into the molasses. I poured that on the beans and topped them with the remaining salt pork and set the slow cooker to high. I cooked the beans for 3 hours on high and then on low for 4 additional hours.
This would pair beautifully with the sweet potato cornbread.
I’m taking Appalachian Cider-Baked Beans to a church picnic today. I gave the beans 24 hours to soak before i cooked them. Three cups of cider became four as I realized that the beans were still absorbing a LOT of liquid, but after 30 minutes I was satisfied that they were far enough along to put it together with the sauce and salt pork. My salt pork was true to its name, and I ended up not adding the additional salt the recipe called for.
The beans continued to absorb liquid throughout the bake, and I added an additional cup of hot water after three hours Total bake time was about five and a half hours, and resulted in soft, slightly sweet beans which, while different from my usual syrupy baked beans, will go nicely with brats and burgers today.
Question: Would it be okay to combine the completed beans with cooked rice and serve it that way?
Hello, Daniel! It sounds like you have one big pot of deliciousness there. I wouldn’t advise stirring in the rice, because it could absorb more the liquid. And it has such a distinct flavor that adding rice could mute it. Rice is in a traditional side to Appalachian cider baked beans, but there’s no reason why you can’t but tradition!
I’ve made these beans 4 or 5 times. The only change I make is to pierce the onion with a few whole cloves. I simmer the beans for 1 hour in the cider. I’ve used a mixture of several kinds of dry beans, but I like pinto beans the best. Be patient and let the beans cook as long as necessary.
Ray, that’s great to hear. Thanks!
I made these exactly per the recipe. They are tremendously awesomely great!
Never liked Boston Baked or Maple Syrup Baked or Boozy Baked Beans. These were perfect in every way and the only ones I’ll ever make again.
Froze half in two bags for follow up meals. Defrosted and warmed up without any loss of texture or flavour.
We’re so pleased that we were able to help you find a baked beans recipe that you absolutely love, Bernadette. Thank you for sharing!