Maple Dutch Oven Baked Beans from Scratch for Camping
Get ready to indulge in this AMAZING recipe for maple Dutch oven baked beans! Full of irresistible flavors, baked beans are a cherished tradition of New England cuisine.
This recipe came from my neighbor, an old-timer New Englander, and it was passed on to him by his mother. You don’t want to skip this recipe, trust me.
We enjoyed these maple baked beans recently at a neighborhood BBQ potluck and, to be honest, I wanted to run away with the pot and eat the whole thing all by myself.
So, I asked for the recipe because I needed to be able to eat them again! They are so flavorful, and deeply rich, with just the right amount of spice and sweetness.
Read on because your backyard BBQ, potluck, or your next camping trip will not be the same without these baked beans! Add them to your camping meal list now, making them in advance, and then reheat them at the campground.
🫘 Dutch Oven Baked Beans
This baked bean guru neighbor of ours has a picturesque sugarhouse, surrounded by maple trees and he has perfected the art of transforming humble beans into tender, flavorful delights.
As loyal patrons of his sugarhouse, we always buy our maple syrup from him. I playfully said to him, “I’m relieved that I’m using your maple syrup to achieve the correct flavor for the beans recipe!”
The pure, dark maple syrup infuses every mouthful with its sweet and smoky essence. It sounds cheesy but it’s like I was transported to a time when families gathered around the hearth, savoring the rich heritage and timeless taste of New England’s maple baked beans.
He graciously concurred with a smile, though with a touch of seriousness in his response. He is a proud Sugarmaker.
However, there was still something special about his recipe that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. When I asked I learned it is the yellow eye beans!
In New England, yellow eye beans have long been a popular choice for traditional baked bean recipes, where they are slow-cooked with molasses, brown sugar, onions, and sometimes salt pork or bacon. The result is a rich, flavorful dish with a hearty, satisfying texture.
🥣 How to Make Dutch Oven Baked Beans
Set aside a night to soak the beans and a day to bake this incredibly scrumptious recipe and you will have a new favorite side dish in your house!
INGREDIENTS
This is a list of the exact ingredients used in this recipe. Substitutions such as another variety of beans or mustard or bacon instead of salt pork are OK to try but the flavor simply will not be the same.
✔️ Dry Yellow Eye Beans
Yellow Eye Beans (Maine Yellow Eye Beans or Phaseolus Vulgaris) are related to the kidney bean and are commonly used in traditional New England-style baked bean recipes. These beans are named after the distinct yellow or beige “eye” or spot found on their inner curve.
Yellow eye beans have a delicate, creamy texture and a subtly sweet, nutty flavor. They are slightly larger than navy beans and have a unique appearance due to their pale cream color with a yellow or golden hue.
When cooked, yellow-eye beans retain their shape well and have a delightfully smooth and velvety consistency. They readily absorb flavors from seasonings and other ingredients, making them an excellent choice for baked beans! Do not substitute canned beans for the dry ones in this recipe.
✔️ Salt Pork
Salt pork is a preserved pork product made from the belly of the pig. It is heavily salted and cured, but unlike bacon, it is not smoked. Salt pork is used as a flavoring ingredient in cooking, particularly in New England and Southern American cuisines.
The salt pork I buy comes in a 2″ thick square piece about the size of my hand. It is diced or sliced, then fried or rendered to release its flavorful fat, which adds richness and a slightly salty taste to dishes. The leftover salt pork pieces can be added to soups, stews, beans, or vegetables for added depth.
Due to its intense saltiness, salt pork should be used sparingly, as it can contribute a distinct savory note to recipes.
✔️ Yellow Onion
Plain yellow onions have a pungent and slightly sharp pronounced flavor compared to their sweeter counterparts. When cooked, yellow onions tend to mellow and become sweeter, but they still maintain their characteristic savory notes.
In baked beans, plain yellow onions can provide a robust and well-rounded onion flavor that complements the other ingredients. Their flavor holds up well during the long, slow cooking process, infusing the dish with a savory depth.
Sweet onions, on the other hand, such as Vidalia onions or Walla Walla onions, have a higher sugar content and a milder flavor profile. They offer a subtle sweetness and delicate taste, which can lend a gentle and slightly sweeter note to baked beans.
✔️ Dark Brown Sugar
Dark brown sugar contributes to the flavor and texture of baked beans! As it melts and caramelizes during the cooking process, it helps to create a thick and sticky sauce that coats the beans, adding to the overall lusciousness and mouthfeel of the dish.
It enhances the overall flavor profile by adding a hint of sweetness and a deep, earthy richness. I would not use white cane sugar or coconut sugar as a replacement for this recipe.
✔️ Maple Syrup
Dark robust maple syrup is darker in color and possesses a stronger, more pronounced flavor compared to lighter grades of maple syrup. I highly recommend using this particular grade of syrup in the baked beans!
It typically has a rich amber color and a robust, full-bodied taste that is distinctively deep and caramel-like. It’s our family’s favorite grade of maple syrup. The flavor profile of dark robust maple syrup often includes notes of toffee, molasses, and a hint of smokiness.
✔️ Colman’s Prepared Mustard
Colman’s Prepared Mustard is a popular English mustard known for its bold, fiery flavor. You will also see Colman’s Dry Mustard as an option at your grocery store but for this recipe, use the prepared mustard.
Made from ground mustard seeds, water, vinegar, and other ingredients, it offers a sharp and tangy taste. With its strong flavor, Colman’s adds a zesty kick to the beans.
✔️ Ground Cloves
Ground cloves add a warm and aromatic touch to baked beans, infusing them with a subtle hint of spiciness. The addition of ground cloves to baked beans provides a comforting and fragrant note that complements the savory elements.
Just a small amount of this flavorful spice can enhance the overall taste profile of the dish, giving it a delightful depth of flavor.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Sort the dry yellow eye beans in a large bowl, specifically looking for pebbles or debris that need to be removed.
- Rinse the soaked beans in a colander. Then, put the beans back into the large bowl and cover them with cold water, making sure to have enough water to cover the beans by 2″. Let them sit overnight.
- In the morning rinse and then parboil the beans in 8 cups of water until the skins crack when blown on. This takes about 30-35 minutes. Drain the beans, saving the water.
- Chop onion into 1/4″ pieces and slice the salt pork into 4 equal chunks, making a few smaller slices to top the pot of beans with. Set aside.
- Mix the maple syrup, brown sugar, mustard, ground cloves, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl. Then mix in 4 cups of the saved cooking liquid.
- Put some of the onion in the bottom of a Dutch oven along with some of the salt pork. Add beans to about 1 1/2 inches thick and add the remainder of the onion with more salt pork saving some strips of salt pork for the top.
- Add the remainder of the beans and pour the mixture of sugars and spices over the beans until covered. Cover the pot and bake at 300 degrees for 7 hours or more, adding more of the saved water as they cook to keep the beans from drying out. I like to leave the top off for the last 30 minutes to brown the beans further once I taste test and confirm they are fully cooked.
💡 FAQS: Dutch Oven Baked Beans
Here are some answers to some commonly asked questions about Dutch oven baked beans!
What kind of beans are used in baked beans?
Baked beans are commonly made using navy beans (also known as Boston beans). Navy beans have a mild flavor and a smooth texture that works well in baked bean recipes. Yellow eye beans are another type of bean that can be used in baked bean recipes.
They are a heirloom variety of beans that is popular in New England, particularly in traditional New England baked bean recipes. Yellow eye beans have a creamy texture and a slightly sweet flavor.
Should you cook beans in cast iron?
Yes! Cooking beans in cast iron is generally safe and can enhance flavor and texture. Cast iron’s heat retention and distribution make it ideal for slow, even cooking of beans. Seasoned cast iron can add a subtle depth of flavor. However, be cautious with acidic ingredients, as prolonged cooking in cast iron may result in a metallic taste.
What is the difference between Boston baked beans and regular baked beans?
Boston baked beans are a specific regional variation of baked beans that originated in New England, particularly in the Boston area. They are typically made using navy beans, which have a mild flavor and a smooth texture. Boston baked beans are often sweetened with molasses or maple syrup, giving them a distinct sweet and savory flavor profile.
The dish is usually slow-cooked, often in a bean pot or Dutch oven, allowing the flavors to meld and develop.
What happens if you don’t soak beans before cooking?
If you don’t soak beans before cooking, several things may happen. The cooking time will be longer as the beans need to rehydrate during the cooking process. Second, the beans may have a firmer texture and could be more prone to splitting. Third, the digestibility of the beans might be affected, leading to increased gas production and potential digestive discomfort.
What is the minimum time to soak beans before cooking?
The minimum time to soak beans is 6 hours. The beans absorb water and rehydrate, which reduces the cooking time and improves their texture. If short on time, there’s a quick soaking method that can be used. This involves bringing beans to a boil and then letting them sit off the heat for 1 hour. Then proceed with the recipe.
Do beans need to be refrigerated while soaking?
Beans do not need to be refrigerated while soaking. However, if you soak beans at room temperature, it’s important to ensure that the soaking container is in a cool and clean environment to prevent any potential bacterial growth.
Refrigeration during soaking can be a precautionary measure to maintain food safety and minimize the risk of bacterial contamination, especially in warmer climates or if you prefer an extra level of safety.
What is salt pork?
Salt pork is a type of pork product made from pork belly or fatback that has been salt-cured. It is typically used as a seasoning ingredient in various dishes to add flavor and richness. It has a high salt content and a distinct savory taste, often used to enhance the flavors of beans, stews, and soups.
What makes baked beans taste good?
Baked beans taste good for a multitude of reasons! First, the slow cooking process allows the flavors to develop and meld together over time. Second, the addition of sweeteners such as molasses, maple syrup, or brown sugar adds a pleasant sweetness that balances the savory elements.
Also, the inclusion of complementary ingredients like onions, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, or bacon/salt pork enhances the overall flavor profile, providing depth and complexity to the dish.
What kind of beans are used in pork and beans?
The type of beans commonly used in pork and beans can vary depending on personal preference and regional variations. However, the most common types of beans found in pork and beans recipes are navy beans (also known as Boston beans), pinto beans, or great northern beans.
These beans have a mild flavor and a tender texture that pairs well with the savory flavors of pork and the sweet and tangy sauce typically used in pork and beans dishes.
What can you add to baked beans to make them tastier?
To make baked beans tastier, consider adding ingredients like sweeteners such as molasses, maple syrup, or brown sugar for a touch of sweetness. Enhance the savory profile with bacon or salt pork, which imparts smokiness and richness. Additionally, incorporating onions, garlic, mustard, or Worcestershire sauce can add layers of flavor and depth to the dish.
The Wrap Up on Dutch Oven Baked Beans
Filled with robust flavors, tender beans, and a mouthwatering aroma, this classic New England recipe is a must-try for any food enthusiast or lover of beans! They are a great side dish and pair well with most BBQ foods.
Don’t let the opportunity slip by to savor the rich, slow-cooked goodness of comfort food that will leave your taste buds longing for more. Enjoy the best baked beans you have ever tasted!
Maple Dutch Oven Baked Beans
Ingredients
- 1 lb yellow eye beans
- 1/2 pound salt pork
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1/3 cup dark brown sugar firmly packed
- 1 1/4 cups dark maple syrup
- 2 Tablespoons Colman’s Prepared Mustard
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Sort beans in a large bowl. Rinse in a colander. Then, put the beans back into the bowl and cover with cold water. Let them sit overnight.
- In the morning parboil the beans in 8 cups of water until the skins crack when blown on, drain and save the water. This takes about 30-35 minutes.
- Chop onion and slice salt pork into 4 equal chunks. Set aside a few thinner slices to top the beans with.
- Mix the maple syrup, brown sugar, mustard, ground cloves, salt and pepper together in a large bowl. Then mix in 4 cups of the saved cooking water.
- Put some of the onion in the bottom of a Dutch oven along with some of the salt pork. Add beans to about 1 1/2 inches thick and add the remainder of the onion with more salt pork saving some strips of salt pork for the top.
- Add the remainder of beans, and pour the mixture of sugars and spices over the beans until covered. Top with the reserved thin slices of salt pork.
- Cover the pot and bake at 300 degrees for at least 7 hours, adding more of the saved water as they cook to keep the beans from drying out. You can leave the top off for the last 30 minutes to brown the beans further, as long as they are fully cooked at that point.
Read More…
- Gluten Free Corn Casserole with Green Chile
- Instant Pot Mujadara Recipe for Camping
- Bluberry Jam without Pectin
- Campfire Dutch Oven Chicken and Potatoes
- Healthy Breakfast Hash Recipe
- Best Canned Foods for Camping
- How to Make Hot Pink Hummus
- How to Make the BEST Grilled Marinated Salmon Recipe
- Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe
