What is the name of the New England dish of beans baked with pork and molasses?

The New England dish of beans baked with pork and molasses is called Boston baked beans. The classic version uses small white navy beans, molasses for sweetness, and salt pork or bacon for savory richness.

The dish developed in colonial New England, where beans were traditionally slow-cooked in a beanpot. Boston’s historic connection to molasses helped distinguish its style from other regional baked beans. The sweetener was widely available through the Atlantic trade, including the production of rum in colonial New England.

Baked beans were often prepared on Saturdays and left overnight in a brick oven. This produced a hot meal for Sunday, when some households observed Sabbath restrictions on cooking. Boston baked beans are still associated with brown bread, frankfurters, and Saturday-night New England meals.

Maine baked beans are a neighboring variation and may use different bean varieties and maple syrup. Cassoulet is a French bean dish, while beans and rice and chili have different ingredients and traditions.