Québécois Style Baked Beans (Haricots au four)
A slow-cooked, sweet, and savory dish of navy beans baked with molasses, maple syrup, and pork. This is a comforting staple often served at breakfast or as a side dish.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 lb Dried navy beans(soaked overnight and drained)
- 6 cups Water(for boiling beans)
- 1/2 cup Molasses
- 1/4 cup Maple syrup
- 1/4 cup Brown sugar(packed)
- 4 oz Salt pork or thick-cut bacon(diced)
- 1 medium Onion(finely chopped)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Place the soaked and drained navy beans in a large pot. Cover with 6 cups of fresh water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour, or until beans are tender but not mushy.
💡 Tip: Discard any beans that float, as they may be old or damaged. - 2
Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
⏱️ 10 minutes - 3
In a separate bowl, whisk together molasses, maple syrup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 4
Drain the cooked beans, reserving about 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Transfer the beans to a bean pot or a Dutch oven.
💡 Tip: Using a traditional bean pot helps to distribute heat evenly for slow cooking. - 5
Add the diced salt pork or bacon and chopped onion to the beans. Pour the molasses mixture over the beans.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 6
Add enough reserved bean cooking liquid (or water if needed) to just cover the beans. Stir gently to combine.
💡 Tip: The liquid level should be just above the beans; they will expand as they bake. - 7
Cover the pot and bake in the preheated oven for 4 to 6 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are very tender and the sauce has thickened.
⏱️ 4-6 hours💡 Tip: Check periodically and add a little more liquid if the beans seem dry. - 8
Remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of baking to allow the top to caramelize slightly. Serve hot.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Soaking beans overnight is essential for even cooking and digestibility.
- ✓Adjust the sweetness by varying the ratio of molasses to maple syrup.
- ✓For a smoky flavor, use smoked bacon instead of salt pork.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of ground cloves or cinnamon for a warmer spice profile.
- Incorporate a bay leaf during the simmering process.
- Serve with a dollop of sour cream or a side of buttered toast.