Not Too Sweet Dutch Oven Baked Beans Recipes

CHEF JOHN'S BOSTON BAKED BEANS

Steps:

• Soak navy beans overnight in a large bowl with enough water by several inches. Drain and place beans into a large Dutch oven or heavy pot with 6 cups water, baking soda, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and boil for 10 minutes. Drain, saving bean-cooking liquid.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• Transfer beans into clean Dutch oven and stir bacon, onion, molasses, brown sugar, dry mustard, salt, and black pepper into beans. Pour enough of the hot reserved bean liquid in to cover beans; stir.
• Cover Dutch oven and bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. Check liquid level and add more of the reserved bean liquid to bring liquid up to cover beans. Return to oven and continue baking until beans are tender and almost all the liquid has been absorbed, about 1 hour.
• Raise oven heat to 350; bake beans uncovered in oven until top develops a flavorful crust, 20 to 30 more minutes.

NOT TOO SWEET DUTCH OVEN BAKED BEANS

Steps:

• 1. In a large Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium-high heat until crisp, about 7 minutes, stirring frequently. Add onion and 1/4 tsp. of the salt; cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 7 minutes, until onion is soft. Add garlic and cook 1 minute, stirring so it doesn't brown.
• 2. Add beans, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, Dijon mustard, dry mustard, chili powder, cumin, pepper, remaining 1/4 tsp. salt and enough water to just cover beans. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
• 3. Carefully transfer to a 6-qt. slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours, until beans are tender. Taste and adjust seasonings before serving.

THE ONCE AND FUTURE BEANS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 250 degrees F.
• Soak beans in a plastic container overnight in just enough cold water to submerge them completely.
• Place a cast iron Dutch oven over medium heat and stir in the bacon, onion, and jalapenos until enough fat has rendered from the bacon to soften the onions, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, dark brown sugar, and molasses.
• Drain the beans and reserve the soaking liquid. Add the drained beans to the Dutch oven. Place the soaking liquid in a measuring cup and add enough vegetable broth to equal 4 cups of liquid. Add the liquid to the Dutch oven and bring to a boil over high heat. Add in cayenne, black pepper and salt. Give them a stir and cover with the lid. Place the Dutch oven in the oven for 6 to 8 hours, or until the beans are tender.