Vegan Baked Beans Recipe (2024)

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4.67 from 3 votes

1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

by Marly

Updated 7/5/21

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These homemade vegan baked beans are a welcome addition to your next backyard barbecue. Made with molasses and BBQ sauce, these Midwestern-inspired baked beans are full of delicious flavor and a rich, thick, sweet, and savory sauce.Serve them alongside some Vegan Potato Salad and some Black Bean Burgers for the best outdoor potlucks!

You’d be surprised to see some of the ingredients included in regular baked beans, everything from bacon to hamburger.

I’m here to tell you, making plant-based baked beans is easy and creates a dish that is just as tasty as the other kind. Let’s get into how to make it.

Table of Contents show

Key Ingredients

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.

Olive oil — Any neutral oil will work, I just mostly use olive oil.
Onion — You can use yellow, white, or even red onion.
Bell pepper — I like green for the pops of color, but you can use red or orange.
Garlic — You’ll need two cloves of garlic.
Molasses — Be sure to use light molasses, not blackstrap.
Brown sugar — Use light, dark, or homemade brown sugar.
BBQ sauce — I prefer using homemade Vegan BBQ Sauce, but if you use storebought check the label and avoid sauces with Worcestershire sauce as it is not vegan.
Vinegar — I prefer apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.
Soy sauce — The best sauces have a combination of sweet and salty, which is why adding a bit of soy sauce is great. Substitute tamari or coconut aminos to keep this gluten-free.
Dijon mustard — You can use dijon mustard, yellow mustard, or even dried mustard.
Beans — I prefer plain navy beans for this recipe but you could also use canned vegetarian baked beans. Just be sure to drain the sauce.
Veggie bacon — This is an optional ingredient but I love the flavor and texture that comes from adding veggie bacon.

How to Make Vegan Baked Beans

It’s easy to make this recipe for vegan baked beans. See the recipe card below for ingredient amounts, substitutions, and step-by-step instructions.

Cook onions and peppers in an oiled pot over medium heat until tender.
Add garlic and cookfor another minute.
Stir in the remaining sauce ingredients.
Stir in the drained beans and veggie bacon.
Pour the beans into a baking dish.
Bake for1 hour.
Remove the dish from the oven and set it aside to cool slightly.

Quick Fix Tip

You can substitute an equal amount of Bush’s Vegetarian Baked Beans or any other brand of vegetarian baked beans. Simply drain the sauce then proceed with the steps of this recipe.

Baked Beans Without Bacon

Baked beans without bacon may seem like a strange concept, but they can be an incredibly delicious and nutritious meal choice.

Not only are these vegan BBQ beans an excellent source of protein and fiber, but these legumes are also a fantastic way to add more flavor and texture to your dish. This recipe is so good, you won’t even miss the bacon!

Besides, you can add veggie bacon for the same bacon flavor or add a bit of liquid smoke for a smoky flavor.

Why is This the Best Recipe?

Adding green bell peppers creates pops of color and flavor to this bean dish
Molasses adds a rich flavor that enhances the smoky-sweet sauce
Veggie bacon is an optional ingredient, but it adds delicious flavor and a meaty mouthfeel throughout this dish

Frequently-Asked Questions

Are vegetarian baked beans vegan?

Vegetarian baked beans are typically vegan. That’s because vegetarian baked beans are made without pork which is an ingredient vegans and vegetarians alike avoid.

Can you cook baked beans on the stove?

To cook baked beans on the stove, simply simmer in a pot until the beans thicken, roughly 30 to 45 minutes.

Are baked beans vegan?

Most baked beans, whether from a can or from a restaurant, are not vegan (or vegetarian) because they’re cooked with some sort of animal fat. Most standard baked beans are made with pork or bacon. However, it is completely unnecessary and you can enjoy delicious vegetarian baked beans!

Storage Tips

Cover with a lid or wrap the entire dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can freeze this recipe in appropriate freezer containers or bags for up to 2 or 3 months. To thaw, transfer it to the fridge overnight. Then sit out at room temperature and either heat it in the microwave or saucepan. You may need to add some extra BBQ sauce.

Vegan Grilling Recipes

Ready for your next outdoor party? This easy vegan baked beans recipe is a great side dish to serve along with any of the following:

Sweet Potato Black Bean Burger

30 mins total

Vegan Coleslaw

25 mins total

Vegan Sheet Cake

40 mins total

Vegan Roasted Vegetables

35 mins total

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Vegetarian Baked Beans

Make delicious vegetarian baked beans quickly and easily with this simple recipe. Based on a timeless family recipe, these baked beans have deep Midwestern roots and will be the star of the dinner table!

4.67 from 3 votes

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Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Resting Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 10 servings

Calories: 156kcal

Author: Marly McMillen

Ingredients

▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
▢ 1 cup chopped onion
▢ 1 cup chopped bell pepper, Green, Red, or Orange
▢ 2 cloves garlic
▢ ½ cup molasses
▢ ½ cup brown sugar
▢ ¾ cup bbq sauce
▢ 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
▢ 1 tablespoon soy sauce
▢ 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
▢ 60 ounces canned navy beans, drained
▢ 6 strips veggie bacon

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C.
Add olive oil to a large pot over medium heat and cook until the oil is shimmering. Stir in chopped onions and bell peppers. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until tender. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds to a minute.
Add the drained beans and stir until combined.
Stir in the molasses, brown sugar, bbq sauce, vinegar, soy sauce, and mustard.
Pour this mixture into a 9×13 casserole dish, lay veggie bacon strips on top, and bake for 1 hour.
To serve, remove the beans from the oven and set them aside to cool slightly.
To store, allow the beans to come to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days. They can be frozen in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.

Recommended Equipment

9×13 Casserole Dish

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Notes

Cooking Method:

To cook these beans on the stovetop, reduce heat to simmer (low boil), cover, and cook for 40 to 45 minutes. Then cook uncovered for another 10 to 15 minutes.

Substitutions:

BBQ Sauce — You can substitute ketchup or tomato paste. If you want the same smoky flavor as BBQ sauce, add a teaspoon or two smoked paprika or up to a tablespoon of liquid smoke.
Soy Sauce — For gluten-free, tamari (a gluten-free soy sauce) or coconut aminos are great.
Molasses — You can substitute maple syrup.

Flavors:

Reduced Sweetness — Reduce the molasses and brown sugar to 1/4 cup to reduce the sweetness.
Heat — Increase the heat in these beans by adding up to a tablespoon of Sriracha or hot sauce. You can also add chopped jalapenos with the onions.
Tanginess — You can increase the vinegar up to 3 tablespoons to create a more tangy dish.

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a rating below then tag @namelymarly on Instagram and hashtag it #namelymarly. I love seeing your creations!