Dutch Oven Baked Beans with Jerk-Spiced Pork Shoulder and Plantains

Dutch Oven Baked Beans with Jerk-Spiced Pork Shoulder and Plantains
6-8
30 minutes
3 hours
It’s smoky, a little spicy, a little sweet, and incredibly satisfying. We love serving it as a hearty main, but it also shines as a bold BBQ side dish. Cooking it low and slow on the grill with just a kiss of smoke makes the whole thing sing.
We make this in our pellet grill with a Dutch oven, but it’s just as doable in your oven. The key is good ingredients and patience while the pork becomes fall-apart tender.
Ingredients
For the Jerk Pork
- 3½ lbs boneless pork shoulder, cut into 1 ½ inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons jerk seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil (such as avocado or grapeseed)
For the Beans
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional, if needed after searing pork)
- 1 large or 2 small yellow onions, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 to 2 Scotch bonnet or habanero peppers, finely minced (adjust to taste)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1½ teaspoons ground allspice
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 can (28 oz / ~828 ml) diced tomatoes, with juices
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 can (13 oz / 398 ml) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (18oz / 540 ml) white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz /414 ml) full-fat coconut milk
- 2 ripe plantains, peeled and sliced into thick coins
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Juice of 1 lime, optional
To Serve
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Diced fresh mango or pineapple (optional)
- Lime wedges
- Grilled flatbread, coconut rice, or plantain chips
Featured Products
- NanoBond 5QT Dutch Oven
Directions
Preheat and Season
- Preheat your pellet smoker (or indoor oven) to 500°F.
- In a large bowl, toss the pork shoulder chunks with jerk seasoning and a pinch of salt. Let them rest while you prepare the vegetables.
Sear the Pork
- Heat your Dutch oven over medium-high heat, either on the grill or a side burner.
- Add the neutral oil and sear the pork in batches until browned on all sides. Transfer the seared pork to a plate and set aside.
Build the Flavor Base
- Lower the heat slightly. If the pan seems dry, add a bit of olive oil.
- Add the onions and red bell pepper. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the Scotch bonnets, garlic, thyme, and allspice. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add tomato paste and molasses. Stir and cook for another minute to deepen the flavour.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes with juices and chicken stock. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
Add the Beans and Pork
- Stir in the black beans, white kidney beans, and coconut milk.
- Return the seared pork to the Dutch oven and season with salt and pepper.
- Lower the grill temperature to 450°F. Bring to a gentle simmer with the lid off, allowing flavours to meld and liquid to reduce slightly, about 15 minutes.
Add the Plantains and Bake
- Nestle the plantain slices into the pot so they are partially submerged but still visible.
- Cook for another 5 minutes uncovered.
- Cover the Dutch oven and move it to the indirect heat zone of your grill.
- Reduce the temperature to 325°F. Bake for 2½ to 3 hours, until the pork is fork-tender and the sauce is thick and rich.
Finish and Serve
- Remove from the grill and stir in the lime juice.
- Top with chopped cilantro and diced mango or pineapple, if using.
- Serve warm with flatbread, coconut rice, or plantain chips.