Spiced Dark Rum and Molasses Baked Beans

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-07 · Updated 2026-06-07

Slow-baked beans infused with the deep flavors of dark rum and molasses, accented by warm spices for a comforting side dish. This Caribbean-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 160 minutes, pairs dried navy beans, dark rum, molasses for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried navy beans
• 1/4 cup dark rum
• 3 tbsp molasses
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 2, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 3 cups water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dried navy beans and soak in cold water overnight. Drain and rinse before cooking.
2. Step 2: Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp ground cumin, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add 2 tbsp tomato paste, 3 tbsp molasses, 1/4 cup dark rum, and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine.
5. Step 5: Add the soaked beans and 3 cups water to the pot. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
6. Step 6: Bring to a simmer on the stovetop, then cover and transfer the pot to the oven. Bake for 2 to 2.5 hours until the beans are tender and the sauce thickens, stirring halfway through.
7. Step 7: Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving warm as a hearty side dish.