Baked beans can be enjoyed at breakfast, lunch or supper -throughout the year. This recipe for Homemade Quebec Maple Baked Beans is truly that versatile. Also provided in this recipe are cooking guidelines so that these baked beans can easily be made in your slow-cooker or oven. Make a batch of these great tasting baked beans today!
This post was originally published on April 24, 2016 and republished on March 7, 2018 with updated content and photos.
I was raised in an Italian neighborhood in Montreal – tomatoes growing in small backyard gardens, Sunday lunches lasting an entire afternoon; those sorts of things were commonplace. But growing up in Montreal also meant that I had the privilege of being exposed to so many wonderful French Canadian food traditions, such as this recipe for Homemade Quebec Maple Baked Beans.
Any Quebecker will tell you that baked beans, also known as fèves au lard, are an integral part of any sugar shacking experience in the spring. But these baked beans can easily be enjoyed at breakfast, lunch or supper and throughout the year. They make one of the best sides dishes especially when served alongside this finger licking recipe for Bar-B-Barn Ribs.
This easy baked beans recipe is so versatile that it can be easily adapted for your meatless Monday lineup. I have also provided you with cooking guidelines so that it can easily be made in your slow-cooker or oven.
HOW TO MAKE BAKED BEANS:
When preparing any recipe for baked beans, you will immediately notice that the prep time is minimal when compared to the idle time, and that it all starts with a good soak.
Rinsing and Soaking the beans:
Before you soak your beans, it is important to
- rinse and sort them;
- remove any shriveled or discolored beans and
- remove any small rocks or debris.
With regards to the issue of soaking your dry beans, there have been different opinions as to the necessity of this activity. In my humble opinion, providing your dry navy beans with an overnight soak will allow you to reduce the total cooking time.
Furthermore, it literally takes a couple of minutes to fill up a bowl of beans with water and leave it for an overnight soak on the counter. The overnight room temperature soak can take anywhere from 8 to 12 hours. Make sure you submerge your beans by at least two inches of water as they will absorb a lot of water.
Precooking the beans: Here’s another step which is highly debatable. Some will argue that since the beans will cook for a long period of time, this step is unnecessary. Once again, I will share the method that works for me. With that being said, I rinse and drain (again) the soaked beans. I will then place them in a pot of water where they will simmer for about 45 minutes. After which they get another rinse and are ready for the final step.
Slow cooker method for baked beans: Transfer the rinsed precooked beans in your slow cooker. Add the rest of the ingredients, stir together and place a whole onion in the center. Cover and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours or until the beans are tender. If the mixture appears dry, you can add some water. These crock pot baked beans can be served immediately or refrigerated and served reheated the next day. The flavor actually improves the longer they stay in the fridge.
Dutch oven method for baked beans: Preheat oven to 225°F. Once again, transfer the precooked beans in your dutch oven or a large oven proof pot. Add the rest of the ingredients, cover and cook for approximately 6 hours. You can remove the lid the last 30 minutes or so in order to obtain a nice golden color. As with the slow cooker method, if the beans appear dry, make sure to add a little water.
Non-vegetarian version: I prefer to make a vegetarian version of this recipe for Homemade Quebec Maple Baked Beans, however, I have been known to throw in some Italian pancetta or even some Canadian smoked bacon. The final product is creamy and smokey… just perfect as a main, as a side or even to top off those potatoes!
Nutrition Note: There is nothing healthier than eating a bowl of baked beans. This low calorie food is high in fiber, which keeps your intestines working properly; it’s also a great source of protein, which promotes healthy muscle tissue. As an added bonus, it even has a low glycemic index. There are just a few of the benefits of baked beans. Follow this link to find out more!
Origin of the recipe for Baked Beans:
As I have preciously mentioned, I have a very large collection of newspaper clippings from the Food section of the Montreal Gazette. I’ve adapted this recipe from one such clipping. If you recall, this is not the first time I have sung the praises of the great white navy bean. Last fall, I shared a recipe for an Easy White Bean Soup.
Healthy Homemade Quebec Maple Baked Beans for your Sunday Supper… why not?
THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.
Ciao for now,
Maria 🙂
★★★★★ If you have made this Baked Beans recipe, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!
Homemade Quebec Maple Baked Beans
Baked beans can be enjoyed at breakfast, lunch or supper -throughout the year. This recipe for Homemade Quebec Maple Baked Beans is truly that versatile. Also provided are cooking guidelines so that these baked beans can easily be made in your slow-cooker or oven. Make a batch of these great tasting baked beans today!
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry beans (navy, great Northern...) 2-1/3 cups
- water for soaking and precooking
- 1 medium onion
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsulfured molasses
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste in a pinch I have substituted with ketchup
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard
- 3 cups water for cooking
- 1 teaspoon salt
- pepper to taste
Instructions
Rinsing and soaking the beans:
- Rinse and sort the beans; remove any pebbles or debris.
- Place the beans in a large bowl.
- Fill with water in order to submerge the beans by at least two inches of water.
- Soak overnight (8-12 hours).
Precooking the beans:
- The next day, transfer the drained and rinsed again beans to a large pot.
- Re-fill with water and bring to a boil.
- Turn down the heat and simmer for about 45 minutes.
- Remove from heat and rinse again.
Method for slow cooker:
- Transfer the rinsed precooked beans in your slow cooker.
- Add the rest of the ingredients, stir together and place the whole onion in the center.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours or until the beans are tender. If the mixture appears dry, you can add some water.
Dutch oven method:
Preheat oven to 225°F.
- Once again, transfer the precooked beans in your dutch oven or a large oven proof pot.
- Add the rest of the ingredients, cover and cook for approximately 6 hours.
- Remove the lid the last 30 minutes or so in order to obtain a nice golden color. As with the slow cooker method, if the beans appear dry, make sure to add a little water.
Recipe Notes
These Homemade Quebec Maple Baked Beans can be served immediately or refrigerated and served reheated the next day.
These baked beans can also be frozen.
For a non-vegetarian version you can add about 1/2 cup of uncooked Italian pancetta or about 6 cut up slices of Canadian bacon to obtain smokey flavored baked beans.
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used.
*recipe adapted from food article found in The Gazette
NEVER MISS A POST FROM SHE LOVES BISCOTTI!
JOIN US ON:
FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | FLIPBOARD | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER
DO YOU LOVE THIS BAKED BEANS RECIPE?
PIN IT TO YOUR BREAKFAST AND BRUNCH BOARD!
Follow She Loves Biscotti for more simple and family friendly recipes!
ONE FINAL THOUGHT ABOUT #SUNDAYSUPPER…
Today’s Sunday Supper theme was regional specialties, and I just had to sing the praises of these baked beans!
Every Sunday, there is a wonderful group of bloggers called the #SundaySupper tastemakers that collaborate together on a theme. As was mentionned, today’s theme was Regional Specialties and I think you’ll agree the line-up of recipes is totally amazing!
I would like to thank the event host for this event: Sue Lau from A Palatable Pastime Thanks Sue!
If you have a chance you should really check out these great regional specialties contributed by these wonderful food bloggers.
Buona Domenica e Buon Appetito!
Appetizers:
- Crispy Salmon Bites with Homemade Tartar Sauce by Pine Needles In My Salad
- Loaded Tex-Mex Chile con Queso by The Weekend Gourmet
- New England Style Stuffed Clams by Caroline’s Cooking
Beverages:
- Brandy Old Fashioned by Curious Cuisiniere
- Wine Pairing Recommendations For #SundaySupper Regional Specialties by ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
Breakfast:
- Breakfast Empanada Casserole by Simply Healthy Family
Salads:
- Homemade Ranch Dressing by My Imperfect Kitchen
- Tupelo Honey Key Lime Vinaigrette by Family Around the Table
Sauces:
- Alabama White Barbecue Sauce by Cookin’ Mimi
Side Dishes:
- Delaware Crabs by Delaware Girl Eats
- Long Beans with Coconut by Food Lust People Love
- Old Bay Cauli-Tots by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Southern Collard Greens by Magnolia Days
Soups:
- Mohawk Corn Soup by kimchi MOM
Main Dish:
- Amish Chicken and Noodles by Palatable Pastime
- Boiled Lobster with Drawn Butter by Taste And See
- Bison Steaks with Cranberry Chimichurri by Tramplingrose
- California Beer Steamed Shrimp by Nosh My Way
- Avocado BLT Sandwich by Brunch-n-Bites
- Cali Inspired Fish Tacos by Sew You Think You Can Cook
- Cheesy Tex Mex Enchiladas by The TipToe Fairy
- Corn and Bacon Chowder by Moore or Less Cooking
- Crab-Stuffed Artichokes with Spicy Aioli by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Deep Fried Pizza Roll by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
- Copycat Hattie B’s Hot Chicken by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
- How to Make Vegetable Lumpia by Asian In America
- Italian Hot Dog by Simple and Savory
- Mom’s City Chicken by My Life Cookbook
- North Carolina BBQ with Cole Slaw and Hush Puppies by The Freshman Cook
- Philly Cheesesteak Calzones by Baking Sense
- Polish Boy Sandwich by Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
- Spicy Salmon for Tacos by Hey What’s for Dinner Mom?
- Tex-Mex Slowcooker Chicken and Beef Fajitas by Meal Planning Magic
- West Michigan Wet Burritos by Wholistic Woman
Desserts:
- Upside Down Angel Food Cupcakes by Cooking With Carlee
- Austrian Mohnnudeln (Poppy Seed Noodles) by The Bread She Bakes
- Butter Tarts – A Canadian Tradition by Red Cottage Chronicles
- Carob Cherry Crumb Bars by Pies and Plots
- Florida Key Lime Cream Pie by The Crumby Cupcake
- Gooey Butter Cake from Saint Louie! by Our Good Life
- Homemade Butterscotch Krimpets by The Redhead Baker
- San Jose Burnt Almond Cake by Eat, Drink and be Tracy
- Shoofly Pie by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Spanish Bar Cake by Get the Good Stuff!
- Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Plus Rhubarb Steamed Pudding and Favorite Regional Recipes from Sunday Supper Movement.
Bryan says
Have search a while for a ”from scratch” recipe. Looks to be one of the best I’ve found. Look forward to the finished dish. Thanks for sharing.
Have you ever added liquid smoke, if so how much. If not any thoughts?
Maria says
What a great comment. Sorry for the delay in responding to you Bryan. I have no experience with liquid smoke so I was busy asking around. From what I was told, this would definitely add another layer of flavor. I would say start with 1/2 teaspoon and work your way up. Hope you get a chance to try these baked beans. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, appreciate it.