Vegetarian Baked Beans Recipe

Here’s a comprehensive cooking guide for Vegetarian Baked Beans that combines rich flavors and is easy to prepare. This recipe is perfect for barbecues, potlucks, or as a hearty side dish.

Ingredients:

• Beans:
• 3 cups cooked pinto beans (about 2 cans, drained and rinsed)
• For the Sauce:
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup vegetable broth (or water)
• ¼ cup molasses
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon stone-ground mustard
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce (adjust to taste)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a baking dish (about 1-quart) with nonstick spray.

1. Sauté the Aromatics:

• In a large saucepan over medium heat, add the olive oil.
• Once hot, add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
• Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.

1. Prepare the Sauce:

• Add the vegetable broth, molasses, brown sugar, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, stone-ground mustard, yellow mustard, smoked paprika, hot sauce, salt, and pepper to the pan.
• Simmer the sauce for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to combine all ingredients well.

1. Combine Beans and Sauce:

• In a large bowl, mix the drained beans with the prepared sauce until well coated.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.

1. Bake:

• Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes.
• After that time, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until thickened and bubbly.

1. Serve:

• Let the baked beans cool slightly before serving. They will thicken more as they cool.
• Enjoy them warm as a side dish or main course!

Tips:

• Customize Your Beans: You can use other types of beans like navy beans or black beans based on your preference.
• Make Ahead: These baked beans can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days or frozen for longer storage.
• Slow Cooker Option: For a hands-off approach, sauté the onion and garlic first, then combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cook on low for about 4 hours.

This Vegetarian Baked Beans recipe is not only easy to make but also provides a warm and nourishing dish that everyone will enjoy!