Description
A rich and hearty vegan baked beans recipe featuring tender navy beans simmered in a smoky, sweet, and tangy barbecue sauce made from a flavorful blend of vegetables, molasses, maple syrup, and spices. Perfect as a comforting side dish or a protein-packed main.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
Spices & Condiments
- 2 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 2/3 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce (sub tamari to make gluten-free)
- 2 tsp liquid smoke
- 1 Tbsp yellow mustard
- Salt to taste (if necessary)
Beans
- 4 (15-ounce) cans navy beans (low-sodium or no salt added), drained and rinsed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm up while you prepare the sauce and beans.
- Sauté aromatics: In a large nonstick saucepan over medium heat, cook the chopped onions for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add chopped red and green bell peppers, garlic powder, and tomato paste. Stir continuously and cook for an additional 30-45 seconds to release the flavors.
- Create the sauce: Add the ketchup, molasses, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, vegan Worcestershire sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, liquid smoke, and yellow mustard to the sautéed vegetables. Stir thoroughly to combine. Let the sauce simmer gently for about one minute to meld the flavors.
- Prepare beans: Drain and rinse the navy beans, then transfer them into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Combine and bake: Pour the prepared barbecue sauce over the beans and gently stir until the beans are evenly coated. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
- Finish baking: Remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for another 30 minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken and develop a rich texture.
- Serve: Take the baked beans out of the oven and let them cool slightly before serving warm as a hearty side or main dish.
Notes
- For gluten-free option, substitute tamari for soy sauce and ensure Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free.
- If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the amount of maple syrup or molasses.
- You can add a pinch of smoked paprika for extra smoky flavor.
- Use low-sodium or no salt added canned beans to control the salt content better.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and taste even better the next day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Vegan baked beans, plant-based baked beans, smoky baked beans, easy vegan side dish, homemade baked beans
