Name: Maple Date Baked Beans
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Comfort food
Ingredients: 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 1 medium onion (diced); ½ cup chopped pitted Medjool dates; ½ cup pure maple syrup (to taste); 5 Tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1 small can tomato paste 156 ml; 2 tsp dry mustard; 2 Tbsp blackstrap molasses; 2 Tbsp whole grain mustard (to taste); 2 tsp smoked paprika; 1 Tbsp liquid smoke; 2 cans navy beans 398 ml (drained rinsed); 8 slices bacon (diced optional) OR 2 sausages (diced); 1 tsp fine sea salt (to taste); freshly ground black pepper; 2 Tbsp BBQ sauce (optional)

1

Searing the Beef

Substitutions: Omit bacon or sausage for a vegetarian version, or use smoked tofu cubes instead.
Serving: Perfect with cornbread, roasted vegetables, or spooned onto baked potatoes.
Make-ahead: Flavors deepen after a day—ideal for preparing ahead.
Wine pairing: A malbec or smoky syrah pairs well with the richness.
Leftovers: Store in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze in portions for future meals.

Notes

1

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2

In a large Dutch oven, heat oil over medium. Add onion and bacon, stir to coat with oil, and sauté for 10 to 15 minutes until onion softens and bacon begins to crisp.

3

Add dates, maple syrup, vinegar, tomato paste, molasses, mustard, dry mustard, smoked paprika, and liquid smoke. Stir until combined.

4

Cover slightly and bring mixture to a simmer. Stir in drained beans and season with salt and pepper.

5

Cover with lid and transfer to oven. Bake 20 minutes. Remove and stir. Cover again and bake 15 minutes more.

6

Stir, taste, and adjust with liquid smoke, vinegar, mustard, or maple syrup. Season with salt and pepper as needed.

7

Serve warm with crusty bread or a green salad.

Instructions

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 medium onion (diced)

½ cup chopped pitted Medjool dates

½ cup pure maple syrup (to taste)

5 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 small can tomato paste 156 ml

2 tsp dry mustard

2 Tbsp blackstrap molasses

2 Tbsp whole grain mustard (to taste)

2 tsp smoked paprika

1 Tbsp liquid smoke

2 cans navy beans 398 ml (drained rinsed)

8 slices bacon (diced optional) OR 2 sausages (diced)

1 tsp fine sea salt (to taste)

freshly ground black pepper

2 Tbsp BBQ sauce (optional)

Maple Date Baked Beans

Anthology of Crumbs

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average rating is 5 out of 5

In our house, baked beans mean comfort, the kind of slow simmer that fills the kitchen with warmth on cold evenings. This version keeps the sweetness natural, relying on dates and maple for depth, balanced by molasses, smoke, and vinegar. Navy beans soak up the syrupy sauce, turning tender and rich, ready to spoon onto bread or serve beside something crisp and green.

Servings :

6

Calories:

Prep Time

15 min

Cooking Time

45 min

Rest Time

0

Total Time

1 hr