This easy vegan healthy baked beans recipe is simple and no-fuss, making it perfect for a potluck or delicious addition to any barbecue. Much better than any canned baked beans you can buy at the store, this homemade baked beans recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Cannellini, or any other white bean that you prefer, combines with onion, garlic, tomato puree, mustard, and thyme for flavorful vegan healthy baked beans. You can use dried or canned beans, but I prefer to use dried ones because they are more economical and healthier than canned ones.
This baked bean recipe was inspired by my easy navy bean soup, which is another vegan-friendly bean recipe on my site. These healthy baked beans would pair seamlessly with my roasted lamb ribs, or bbq pulled lamb as a side dish.
Healthy baked beans are a great dish for the summer and can be made anytime for a nourishing vegan side that is packed with vitamins and nutrients, including lots of protein!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Simple and healthy ingredients
- Vegan friendly
- A filling side dish or main
- One-pot recipe
- You can make it ahead of time and enjoy leftovers
How To Make This Recipe
Gently fry the onions and garlic until softened.
Add the beans, mustard and tomato puree.
Top Tip
You can use cooked canned beans if you wish. It’s just that it’s healthier, and you get more bang for your buck by buying the dried version and cooking it yourself.
What to Serve With Your Homemade Baked Beans
These healthy baked beans are so tasty you may be tempted to dive into them on their own for a midday snack or an addition to your toast and eggs in the morning. Pair them with some other delicious recipes and finish with one of these fantastic desserts for a satisfying meal!
Sides
- Classic macaroni salad - nothing says summer and warm weather like this classic macaroni salad, which is a perfect accompaniment to healthy baked beans.
- Maple glazed carrots - more veggies to accompany your vegan homemade baked beans; maple syrup glazed carrots come together easily and are sweet and savory all at once.
- Marmite roast potatoes - these savory, umami-packed potatoes are crispy because they are cooked in duck fat, but you can skip it if you are vegan. Replace your regular roasted potatoes with these tasty delights!
- Keto coleslaw - another summer side dish, my keto coleslaw is creamy and only requires a few ingredients that make up a dish that compliments these healthy baked beans to the T. If you're vegan, try this vegan coleslaw instead.
Mains
- Butternut and chickpea burger - this vegan barbecue option is healthy and tasty with warm spices and nutritious ingredients.
- Smoked beef short ribs - try these smoked beef short ribs and enjoy them with a side of baked beans for a winning combo.
- Marinated chicken drumsticks - savory with a little hint of spice, these versatile marinated drumsticks are great with healthy homemade baked beans.
- Paneer Tikka - if you are a vegetarian, this paneer tikka is a great barbecue for the grill. Mild paneer cheese is combined with tandoori spices for a satisfying stand-in for meat.
Dessert
- Vegan oat cookies - these vegan oat cookies are made with brown sugar and coconut oil, with lots of good-for-you ingredients but a decadent taste.
- Kinder Bueno cookie bar - everyone's favorite candy incorporates into these rich cookie bars for a treat for children and adults.
- Carrot cake cupcakes - a perfect dessert for carrot cake lovers, not just for easter! Topped with a cream cheese frosting, these cupcakes are amazing.
- Chia seed cake - the crunch of the chia seeds makes this spongy, lemony cake irresistible to anyone with a sweet tooth.
Popular Substitutions For This Recipe
Beans
These vegan baked beans call for cannellini beans, but any other white dried beans, also known as dried haricot beans, will also work. Canned baked beans are often made with navy beans, which are slightly smaller than cannellini beans.
In addition to navy beans, you can use other dried beans, such as pinto beans, kidney beans, or butter beans. Pinto beans are the closest to a navy bean if you are trying to recreate canned baked beans.
Tomatoes
Instead of tomato puree or paste, you can use tomato sauce if that's all you have in the pantry. The main difference between tomato sauce, tomato puree, and tomato paste is the consistency, so using tomato sauce will give you a looser outcome when making baked beans.
You can also use ketchup, but remember that ketchup contains sugar, which will add sweetness and make these slightly less healthy!
Mustard
In place of whole grain mustard, you can try dijon or spicy brown mustard as a substitute. Dijon mustard, spicy brown, and whole grain mustard are relatively close in flavor, with the main difference being texture.
Variations to This Recipe
- Brown sugar or maple syrup can be used to add some sweetness to this baked bean recipe. Using either brown sugar or maple syrup will keep this recipe vegan. Maple syrup is a healthy option that adds some rich flavor to baked beans. Dark brown sugar will give this delicious recipe depth of flavor as well.
- If you decide to add sweetness to your baked beans like other baked bean recipes, try adding a splash of apple cider vinegar as well. The apple cider vinegar will help to balance out the sweetness.
- Add pork or turkey bacon to this baked bean recipe ingredient list to transform the flavor and give it a meaty flavor if you aren't making it vegan. Turkey bacon is a leaner choice than regular bacon if you want to stick to a healthier alternative.
- Cook your baked beans in a slow cooker instead of on the stove. Using a slow cooker will make the recipe more hands-off so that you can focus on other dishes if you're throwing a party and have a lot of prep to do. Saute your onions and garlic first for added flavor, and then add all of your ingredients to the slow cooker. Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 6-8 hours, or set your slow cooker to high and cook for 3-4 hours, checking the baked beans for doneness.
- Add more flavor and customize your baked beans by adding smoked paprika, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, or even BBQ sauce. Be careful not to add too much smoked paprika since a little goes a long way.
Top Tip
You can play around with tomato puree and mustard ratios to tweak the recipe to your taste.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store leftover baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for four to five days. Make sure to cool beans to room temperature before placing them in the refrigerator.
Can I Freeze This Recipe?
Yes, you can freeze this recipe, which is why it's so great to make it in bulk. Freeze a large batch of healthy baked beans in a freezer-safe airtight container.
How Do I Thaw This Dish?
Remove the frozen beans from the freezer and place them in the refrigerator overnight. You can continue to heat and thaw them right before you plan to eat them by putting them in the microwave and heating them in increments or on the stovetop.
Can This Recipe Be Made In Advance?
Yes, make this recipe a day or two ahead of time before serving. The flavors will meld together and become even better after sitting.
Other Bean Recipes You'll Love
- Butter bean soup - vegan, healthy, and delicious; this recipe calls for garlic and leeks, which give it incredible flavor and aromatics.
- Borlotti bean soup - packed with veggies, this healthy Italian-inspired soup hits the spot for lunch or along with a piece of toasted garlic bread for dinner.
- Oxtail stew with beans and red wine - oxtail braised with beans and red wine is a comforting dish that is filling and warming, especially on a cold day.
- Butter bean stew - if you're looking for a vegetarian alternative to oxtail stew, this butter bean stew is hearty enough to stand in. Finished with cream, this soup is luxurious and a great weeknight staple.
- Edamame salad - for a protein boost, try this colorful and crunchy edamame salad. Perfect for a side dish or as a lunchtime salad.
What is your favourite dish to serve with baked beans?
📖 Recipe
Healthy Baked Beans
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 20 portions
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This vegan Healthy Baked Beans recipe is simple to make, add the ingredients into the pot and leave to simmer. Best enjoyed on toast!
Ingredients
- 500g (3 cups) dried cannellini beans
- 60ml (4 tbsp) olive oil
- 2 large onions, finely chopped
- 1 whole garlic bulb, crushed
- 300g (1 ⅓ cup) tomato puree/paste
- 50g (5 tbsp) wholegrain mustard
- 1.5L (6 cups) vegetable stock
- 4 thyme sprigs
Instructions
- Soak the beans in plenty of water overnight. The next day, give them a rinse and then cook according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat the oil in a large pot.
- Fry the onions over a medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until they have softened and become golden in color.
- Add the garlic and fry for another 2 minutes.
- Tip in the cooked beans, tomato puree, mustard, stock and thyme. Give it a stir then bring to the boil.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes or until the liquid has thickened and reduced by about a half.
- Serve a mountain of baked beans on a piece of toast for breakfast. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can use cooked canned beans if you wish. It’s just that it’s healthier and you get more bang for your buck buying the dried version and cooking for it yourself.
- It’s a great batch cook recipe because baked beans are a family favorite and completely freezable!
- Feel free to experiment with other types of white beans.
- You can play around with the ratios of tomato puree and mustard to tweak the recipe to your taste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Simmer
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 76
- Sugar: 2.1 g
- Sodium: 329.7 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10.2 g
- Fiber: 1.8 g
- Protein: 2.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
JULIE WARD says
Sausage, egg and chips with my beans
Jennifer Toal says
Sausage egg and beans
Ursula Hunt says
I love sausage, beans and chips
Louise Reeks says
Only time we have bean's here is with a lovely Full English Breakfast
Laura Pritchard says
Fishfingers & chips!
Angela Muir says
Toast
Jenny Pugh says
Instead of beans on toast, I love having beans on buttered crumpets covered in grated cheese 🙂
Amy Bondoc says
A full English breakfast
Karen R says
I love beans on toast - with lots of butter, grated cheese and a load of coleslaw 🙂
dana says
I like to serve them with sausages and mashed potatoes
Becky Yeomans says
I love a good jacket potato cheese and beans! so simple but one of my favourites!
Angela T says
Jacket potato beans and cheese
Rachel says
With jacket potatoes
Allan Wilson says
Lebanese Bean Casserolle
Amanda Walsh says
Its got to be cheesy beans on toast
Rachel Butterworth says
I add a can to my chilli con carne. The kids love it.
Tony says
Full English breakfast
lynn neal says
I like baked beans with a cheese omlette!
Pamtay says
Baked beans are great with quiche and wedges
pete c says
some Lincolnshire sausage, fried bread and an omelette
lynn neal says
A mushroom omlette is great with baked beans!
Susan B says
Jacket potato, baked beans and a little cheddar or vegan cheese. So filling, comforting and nutritious.
MichelleD says
Jacket potato and cheese
Emilia Nastaly-Howard says
sausages and mash
Karen K says
Might be basic, but you can't beat baked beans with a jacket potato and cheese!
melanie Stirling says
Sausages and baked beans.
Eilean Fraoich says
Spicy mince
Margaret Mccaffery says
I love them in a jacket potato.
Mark Mccaffery says
I like them simply on buttered toasted bread.
Rebecca Sutton says
Mine is corner beef hash, oldie but yummy!
Jayne Townson says
Great recipe, I'll be trying this out, thanks. I love serving baked beans with a full English vegan breakfast.
toni pearson says
Full english breakfast isn't complete without baked beans.
Phil Morris says
Jacket Potatoes (with cheese) .. and BEANS !
Angela Kelly says
I don't like baked beans - never have. Heinz used to make a delicious soup with cannellini beans, chicken and tomatoes. I loved it but it suddenly disappeared a few years ago.
Iain maciver says
toast
Corinne Peat says
I love baked potato with cheese and beans.
Joanne Hall says
Bean stew
Michelle Smith says
Toad in the hole
MICHELLE O'NEILL says
sausage and cheesy mash!
William Gould says
I love beans on toast! Always have done ever since I was a kid.
I also love beans with sausages, sausage rolls and Cornish pasties, and they are a must on a full English!
Leanne Hansell says
I love a full English breakfast with baked beans.
lisa tebbutt says
beans on toast with cheese
ruth robinson says
i loke a jacket potatoe tuna cheeseand beans , tasty pretty healthy warming and filling and pretty cheap
fiona waterworth says
bacon, eggs, black pudding and sausages
john prendergast says
scrambled egg and sausage and bacon with potato waffles
Keith Hunt says
I like to try lots of things with French toast
Carole Nott says
Fresh salmon and salad
Iona Cornish says
A Baked Potato and grated Cheese are the perfect addition to Baked Beans
Carly Belsey says
I like them on toast in all honesty, preferably brown bread haha.
Lugworm says
Old school hard to beat Baked Beans and Sausage Casserole
Kevin Honey says
Sausages and chips!
kathleen warwick says
It would definitely have to be beans on toast with a little brown sauce for me, so easy and a delicious meal too
Suan Watts says
egg, bacon sausage potato cakes
Sheena Batey says
A full English breakfast beans just set it off perfectly
Mark R says
We love baked beans with home made pork pie.
Michelle Smith says
I love sausages and mash with beans
Annabel Greaves says
Fish fingers and chips
Hayley86 says
My favourite way to serve beans is in a butter bean casserole, with tomato sauce, garlic and chicken stock. I'll then add chicken thighs coated in garlic, salt and black pepper. So warm and comforting. For extra flavour I'll add mushrooms and carrots.
Tracy Newton says
I love baked beans. I often add a tin of them to my homemade chilli. It saves money by bulking the meal out. Plus adds to the taste.
Ritchie says
I like to serve baked beans with scrambled tofu and grilled tomatoes.
Joo Dee says
a sausage casserole
Kristyn Harris says
I like corned beef with baked beans!
Sally Collingwood says
I love homemade cottage pie with baked beans, real comfort food.
Chris Andrews says
What is your favourite meal to serve with baked beans?
a full English breakfast
Priscilla Stubbs says
I enjoy baked beans with bacon, eggs and mushrooms
claire woods says
Jacket potato!
Rena Plumridge says
Pasty
Andrea Fletcher says
With homemade quiche and sweet potatoes.
Mary Heald says
We love putting them in Shepherds pie. It just adds a different texture and taste.
Sue m Johnson says
Chips and egg