Vegetarian Baked Beans with Bacon

Dive into the irresistible flavors of these Vegetarian Baked Beans with Bacon—a wholesome, plant-based twist on the classic comfort food! Made with tender white beans simmered in a smoky, savory sauce packed with layers of flavor, including smoked paprika, molasses, tangy apple cider vinegar, and a touch of brown sugar for sweetness, this dish offers a satisfying balance of sweet, smoky, and tangy notes. A dash of soy sauce and Dijon mustard gives the sauce a bold umami depth, while sautéed onions and garlic add an aromatic base. Designed to please vegetarians and bacon lovers alike with its rich, smoky essence—no actual bacon required! Perfect as a hearty side dish or a main course with crusty bread, this recipe is easy to bake in a single pot and will have everyone coming back for seconds. Ready in just over an hour, it’s a must-try for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or backyard barbecues.

Nutriscore Rating: 85/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 30 oz canned white beans
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 8 oz tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp molasses
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp salt

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

Drain and rinse the canned white beans under cold water to remove any excess salt and preservatives.

Step 3

In a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 4

Dice the onion and mince the garlic, and add them to the pot. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent and fragrant.

Step 5

Add the smoked paprika to the pot and stir well, cooking for another minute to release the flavors.

Step 6

Stir in the tomato sauce, molasses, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine all the flavors.

Step 7

Add the drained beans to the sauce mixture, gently stirring to coat the beans with sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 8

Cover the pot with an oven-safe lid or aluminum foil and transfer it to the preheated oven.

Step 9

Bake for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and the flavors are well-melded.

Step 10

Once cooked, remove the pot from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, and then serve the baked beans warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1426.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2096.7

Total Fat 40.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5348.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 344.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 68.1g	0%
Total Sugars 79.7g
Protein 99.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 860.3mg	0%
Iron 24.4mg	0%
Potassium 5550.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 17.1%

Protein: 18.5%

Carbs: 64.4%