No summertime spread is complete without a pot of baked beans. Tender beans slow-cooked in a sweet and smoky sauce pair perfectly with mains from the grill. The trouble is, many baked bean recipes focus on the bacon rather than the beans. Luckily, if you’re serving guests who abstain from pork, or are simply trying to entertain on a budget, there’s a way to serve the classic side without adding any meat at all. By making a few smart pantry picks, it’s simple to turn humble canned beans into the classic potluck side dish. Here’s how to do it.
How to replace bacon in baked beans
Baked bean recipes often rely on bacon for their savory, smoky flavor. In order to make vegetarian baked beans that don’t sacrifice on flavor, start by sautéing a diced yellow onion until it starts to brown. Here, the caramelization adds a rich depth of flavor that raw onion or onion powder cannot replicate. For even more savory flavor, add a splash of soy sauce or tamari — just make sure to choose the low-sodium version, so that you have more control over the level of salt. Lastly, bittersweet molasses and smoked paprika provide that smoky flavor.
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What kind of beans are used in vegetarian baked beans?
There’s no need to soak dry beans. You’ll need two (about 15-ounce) cans of small, tender beans with a thin skin like great northern, navy, or pinto beans for this recipe.
These vegetarian baked beans can be prepared up to five days in advance, if kept in the refrigerator. Baked beans thicken upon cooling, so make sure to add an extra splash of water to loosen them up before reheating on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through.
Vegetarian Baked Beans
Makes about 3 cups; serves 4 to 6
- 2 (about 15-ounce) cans great northern, navy or pinto beans
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup molasses (not blackstrap)
- 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 325 F.
2. Drain and rinse 2 (about 15-ounce) cans great northern, navy or pinto beans. Dice 1 medium yellow onion.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a Dutch oven or large cast iron skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally until softened and browned, 6 to 8 minutes.
3. Add the beans, 2 cups water, 1/4 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup molasses, 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce or tamari, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper if desired. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
4. Transfer to the oven and bake uncovered until the liquid is reduced and the beans darken in color, stirring halfway through, 60 to 70 minutes total. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool and thicken slightly, about 5 minutes. Taste and season with more kosher salt as needed.
(Patty Catalano is a contributor to TheKitchn.com, a nationally known blog for people who love food and home cooking. Submit any comments or questions to [email protected].)