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5 from 18 votes
Close up of a wooden spoon scooping Vegan Baked Beans from a baking dish.
Best Ever Vegan Baked Beans
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 35 mins
Total Time
1 hr 50 mins
 

Caramelized onions, molasses and a touch of bourbon make these the best vegan baked beans on earth.

Course: Side
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Calories: 188 kcal
Author: Alissa
Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil (or high-heat oil of choice)
  • 1 large onion (about 8 ounces), thinly sliced into half rings
  • ¼ cup bourbon whiskey (Note 1)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • cup tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons vegan Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup unsulfured molasses
  • 2 tablespoons organic brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
  • 2 (15 ounce or 400 gram) cans navy beans or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
  1. Coat the bottom of a skillet medium skillet with the oil and place it over low heat. (Note 2). Add the onions and toss them a few times to coat them with oil.

  2. Allow the onion to cook, stirring occasionally, until very soft and caramelized, 30-40 minutes.

  3. The whiskey goes in next, but before adding it, check to make sure the heat is still set at low. If there is any sizzling in the pan, lower the heat until it subsides. Alcohol vapors are flammable, and adding whiskey to a pan that's too hot could result in ignition. Keep a lid handy and use it to put out any flames. Now slowly begin adding the whiskey.

  4. Stir the whiskey in and raise the heat to medium to bring it to a simmer. Allow it to cook until most of the liquid has cooked off, about 4 minutes.

  5. Stir in the garlic and cook it with the onions and whisky for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Remove the skillet from heat.

  6. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

  7. Stir the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, molasses, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, mustard, paprika and liquid smoke together in a small bowl or container.

  8. Add the beans, caramelized onion mixture, and tomato paste mixture to a medium (about 2 quart) baking dish. Stir everything to combine.

  9. Taste-test the mixture and season with salt and pepper, if desired.

  10. Cover and bake the beans for 40-45 minutes, until bubbly. Uncover and bake 10 minutes more.

  11. Remove the dish from the oven and allow it to sit for a few minutes before serving.

Recipe Notes
  1. If you prefer to make this recipe without whisky, simply leave it out and skip steps 3 and 4.
  2. If you have a medium-sized oven-safe skillet, you can use it to caramelize the onions. Then in step 8, simply transfer the beans and sauce to the skillet and use it to bake everything.
  3. Recipe makes about 4 cups.
Nutrition Facts
Best Ever Vegan Baked Beans
Amount Per Serving (0.5 cup)
Calories 188 Calories from Fat 21
% Daily Value*
Fat 2.3g4%
Saturated Fat 0.2g1%
Sodium 772mg32%
Potassium 619mg18%
Carbohydrates 33.7g11%
Fiber 7.6g30%
Sugar 11g12%
Protein 7.8g16%
Calcium 105mg11%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.