Manuka Honey Recipes: Slow Cooked Honey Baked Beans

When we think of using honey in cooking, we often think of how honey can be a natural sweetener for many of our favorite desserts. Although this is a great use for honey, this sticky, sweet substance can also be used as a natural sweetener in our favorite savory dishes. Have you ever considered using honey to glaze a ham? Or including it with your pulled pork? How about using it to sweeten a baked bean recipe? Below is a delicious slow cooked honey baked beans recipe that is sure to knock your socks off and have your family coming back for seconds and even thirds!

Ingredients for Slow Cooked Honey Baked Beans:

• ½ lb. dried Great Northern Beans (rinsed)
• 1 medium onion (sliced)
• 4 cups water
• ¼ cup Manuka honey (can substitute Blue Borage honey)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tbsp. tomato paste
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 ½ tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. mashed chipotle chilies in adobo sauce

Directions for Slow Cooked Honey Baked Beans:

1. Place dried beans in a medium sized saucepan. Add water to the beans until they are covered with water. Bring beans to a boil then reduce heat until the beans are simmering. Cook beans in the simmering water for 30 minutes. Remove saucepan from the stove and drain beans from water. Set aside.
2. Move the oven rack to the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. In an oven-proof, 2.5 quart Dutch oven, heat oil over medium high heat on the stove top. Add sliced onion and cook until the onion is lightly browned about 4 to 5 minutes. Add tomato paste, garlic, and chipotle pepper. Mix well. Then add beans, water, honey, and salt. Stir until the mixture is well combined.
4. Bring the contents of the Dutch oven to a boil over the burner on the stove top. Cover with Dutch oven with a snug-fitting lid and move to the preheated oven on the center rack.
5. Bake in the oven until the beans are tender, approximately 3 to 4 hours making sure to stir every hour and adding water as needed to keep the beans covered with a “soupy” consistency.
6. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Serve alongside your favorite main dish and enjoy!

If you would like to order Manuka or Blue Borage honey to make this delicious recipes, click here.