The Best Vegan Baked Beans

5 from 2 votes

Get ready for The Best Vegan Baked Beans ever! They're a breeze to make, rich, with a delightful smoky taste and hearty texture. Perfect for barbecues, picnics, or a delicious breakfast on toast.

Vegan baked beans in casserole dish with serving spoon.

These beans are like a flavor explosion in your mouth! They're so versatile you can serve them up at any occasion, whether it's a backyard BBQ, a picnic in the park, or just a cozy breakfast at home.

And the best part? They're so easy to make, you'll wonder why you haven't been whipping them up every day. So grab a spoon and get ready to savor every spoonful of this irresistible dish!

Looking for more vegan bean recipes? Try my Vegan Chili, Vegan Refried Beans, and Vegan Red Beans and Rice for delicious, plant-based meals. Bring joy to your table with every bite!

Jump to:

🌟 Why you'll love this recipe
🧾 Ingredient notes
📋 Variations
🔪 Instructions
💭 Expert tips
❓Recipe FAQs
🫘 More vegan recipes with beans
The Best Vegan Baked Beans

🌟 Why you'll love this recipe

Easy Preparation: With simple and straightforward steps, this recipe is a breeze to make, saving you time and effort in the kitchen.
Versatile: Whether you're serving it as a side dish, main course, or meal prep option, this recipe adapts effortlessly to any dining occasion.
Meal Prep Friendly: Perfect for batch cooking and meal prepping, this recipe can be made in advance and enjoyed throughout the week, saving you time and energy on busy days.
Budget-Friendly: Made with simple and affordable ingredients, this recipe helps you create delicious meals without breaking the bank.
Family Favorite: Whether you're cooking for yourself or feeding your family, this recipe is sure to become a beloved staple in your meal rotation.

🧾 Ingredient notes

Ingredients needed to make vegan baked beans.

Oil: You can use any oil you like, but I really like extra virgin olive oil. It adds a nice flavor and it's good for you too! But if you prefer, you can also use avocado oil, coconut oil, or grapeseed oil.

Molasses: This sweet syrup gives a rich, caramel-like flavor to the dish.

If you don't have molasses on hand, you can substitute it with maple syrup, agave syrup, or brown sugar for a similar sweetness.

Granulated Sugar: This is your everyday white sugar that adds sweetness to the beans.

If you prefer, you can use alternatives like brown sugar, coconut sugar, or even maple syrup for a different flavor.

Apple Cider Vinegar: This tangy vinegar adds a nice zing to the dish.

If you don't have any, you can use white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, or even balsamic vinegar as alternatives for a similar acidic kick.

Vegan Worcestershire Sauce or Soy Sauce: While vegan Worcestershire sauce is ideal, soy sauce works well too.

For a gluten-free option, try tamari, and for a soy-free version, coconut aminos is a great choice, and is also gluten-free.

Liquid Smoke: While you can skip this ingredient, it adds a delicious smoky flavor to the beans, giving them that authentic barbecue taste.

If you don't have liquid smoke, you can try adding smoked paprika or chipotle powder for a similar smoky flavor.

White Beans: When making vegan baked beans, you can use navy beans, cannellini beans, or great northern beans. I used cannellini beans because they were what I had on hand.

However, navy beans are typically preferred for baked beans due to their small size, creamy texture, and mild flavor.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

📋 Variations

Spicy Chipotle Beans: Add chopped chipotle peppers in adobo or chipotle sauce for a spicy, smoky kick.
Maple Bourbon Beans: Substitute some of the sugar with maple syrup and add a splash of bourbon for a sweet, robust flavor.
Southwestern Pinto Beans: Switch out white beans for pinto beans and mix in diced green chilies, cumin, coriander, and a squeeze of lime juice for a Southwestern flair.
Tex-Mex Style Beans: Swap white beans for kidney beans and add diced tomatoes, Chili Powder, cumin, paprika, and a splash of lime juice for a zesty Tex-Mex twist.
Savory BBQ Black Beans: Swap white for black beans, add diced red onion, minced garlic, green bell pepper, and a splash of balsamic vinegar for extra BBQ flavor.

🔪 Instructions

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF or 180ºC. Heat oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.

Step 2. Stir in garlic and cook for an additional minute.

All ingredients except beans mixed in a pot.

Step 3. Add molasses, sugar, ketchup, vinegar, vegan Worcestershire sauce (or soy sauce), liquid smoke, salt, and pepper. Mix well.

Vegan baked beans ingredients mixed in a pot.

Step 4. Fold in the drained and rinsed beans.

Vegan baked beans in a casserole dish before baking.

Step 5. Transfer the mixture to a large casserole dish (approximately 9x13 inches or 23x33 cm) and cover with foil.

Vegan baked beans in a casserole dish after baking.

Step 6. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove from the oven, give it a quick stir, and then return to bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes, or until the sauce has cooked down to the desired consistency.

💭 Expert tips

Don't Overheat: When cooking the onion and garlic, make sure to keep the heat at a medium temperature to prevent them from burning.
Mix The Sauce Ingredients Well: Before adding the beans, make sure to thoroughly mix the remaining ingredients. This ensures even flavor distribution in the sauce.
Adjust Baking Time If Needed: After covering with foil, check sauce consistency. If it's too watery, bake uncovered for a bit longer until the desired thickness.
Let It Rest Before Serving: Let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to settle and blend even more, resulting in a more delicious and satisfying dish.
Make It Ahead: Simply follow the recipe up to the baking step, then cover and refrigerate the dish until ready to bake. Adjust the baking time accordingly when ready to serve.

❓Recipe FAQs

How long do vegan baked beans last in the fridge?

They can typically last in the fridge for about 3-5 days when stored in an airtight container.

Can I freeze vegan baked beans for later use?

Yes, you can! Allow them to cool completely before transferring them to airtight containers or freezer bags.

Properly stored, they can last in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw them overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Which type of beans should I use?

For this recipe, there are several types of white beans you can use, including navy beans, cannellini beans, or great northern beans.

These beans work well due to their creamy texture and ability to absorb flavors, resulting in delicious vegan baked beans.

Can I use dried beans instead of canned ones?

Yes, you can use dried beans instead of canned ones for this recipe.

However, using dried beans requires soaking them overnight and then cooking them separately before incorporating them into the recipe.

Soak 1 pound (450 grams) of dried beans overnight. Rinse well, then add them to a large pot with water and cook for about 1 hour until done. Then continue with the recipe.

This process will obviously take much longer, but it allows you to use dried beans if that's what you prefer.

What can I serve with vegan baked beans?

Vegan baked beans are the perfect match for a spread of mouthwatering dishes.

Imagine warm Vegan Cornbread soaking up all those tasty bean juices, creamy Vegan Mac and Cheese adding a cheesy kick, and tangy Vegan Potato Salad offering a cool contrast.

Pair them with velvety Vegan Mashed Potatoes or a juicy Vegan Burger stacked high with toppings.

And don't forget the crunchy Vegan Coleslaw for a fresh crunch. It's a winning combination that'll have everyone asking for more!