With pinto, kidney, navy, and black beans along with a can of chili beans, this 5-Bean Chili has the best texture and is brimming with flavor.

Table of Contents

• The Story Behind the Recipe
• Why You’ll Love Five Bean Vegetarian Chili
• Ingredients
• Adaptation/Variation
• How to Make 5-Bean Chili
• More Vegetarian Chili Recipes

• Jump to the Full, Printable Recipe
• Read Comments & Reviews

The Story Behind the Recipe

I love, love, love a good slow cooker vegetarian chili, but lately, I’ve been wanting to add some stovetop chili recipes to my arsenal. Sometimes I just don’t have time to plan ahead!

I wanted to create a vegetarian chili recipe that was a bit new and interesting, but still falls firmly into traditional (meatless) chili territory. I had a hunch that adding several different types of beans would lend an interesting texture to a vegetarian chili, and I’m pleased to report my hunch was right!

This 5-Bean Chili recipe is one of those recipes that was, in my opinion, perfect on the first try. I love when that happens! I’ve made it a few times since though, and it’s *chefskiss* perfect every time.

Why You’ll Love Five Bean Vegetarian Chili

• Easy stovetop chili recipe – No planning ahead like with Crock Pot recipes(well except for making sure you have the groceries on hand!)
• Just a few minutes prep time – Most of the cooking time is dedicated to simmering so that the flavors can really develop. Whip up some cornbread, watch Bachelor in Paradise, do some embroidery. You’ve got time!

Ingredients

• Olive oil – For sautéing the veggies
• Green bell pepper
• Onion – I tend to use standard yellow onions in my chili, but if all you have is a red onion, white onion, or sweet onion on hand, that will work too.
• Garlic – Three cloves, minced finely. It adds so much flavor!
• Chili powder – If you prefer a spicy chili, seek out a hotter chili powder. Or grab a mild chili powder for less heat.
• Ground cumin
• Dried oregano
• Smoked paprika
• Tomatoes – I like to use canned whole tomatoes for this chili because they’re nice and saucy and add great texture. Smash them with a potato masher to your desired consistency as soon as you add them.
• Cocoa powder – Just a couple of teaspoons really adds depth of flavor. Don’t knock it until you try it!
• Beans – Chili beans in sauce, black beans, navy beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans. Love this combo!
• Salt – To taste.

Adaptation/Variation

• 5-Bean & Corn Chili – Stir in a cup of frozen corn kernels towards the end of cooking.

I hope you love this vegetarian 5-Bean Chili as much as we do! It’s such an easy vegetarian chili recipe yet so heart and absolutely full of flavor.

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Easy 5-Bean Chili

This super hearty vegetarian chili has, yep, FIVE different beans for a variety of flavors and textures! An easy stovetop chili that comes together quickly and simmers until perfect.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword chili

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 55 minutes minutes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 502kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium green bell pepper diced [1 1/2 cup]
• 1 medium yellow onion diced [about 2 cups]
• 3 medium cloves garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes
• 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 2 teaspoons cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt + more to taste
• 15 ounces chili beans in sauce 1 can; NOT drained
• 15 ounces kidney beans 1 can; drained
• 15 ounces black beans 1 can; drained
• 15 ounces pinto beans 1 can; drained
• 15 ounces navy beans 1 can; drained

Instructions

• Place a large pot over low heat. Add the olive oil. When hot, add the onions and green peppers. Saute, stirring occasionally, until soft, 8 minutes or so. Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika. Cook, stirring, for another minute.
• Add the tomatoes. Use a potato masher to smash the tomatoes. Stir in the vegetable broth, cocoa powder, salt, and beans.
• Increase heat to high. When the chili comes to a boil, reduce to a simmer. Simmer until thickened, 30-40 minutes.
• Taste and add more salt if desired. Serve with sour cream, fresh cilantro, diced avocado, shredded cheddar, and tortilla chips and/or cornbread.

Notes

Freezer notes: This chili freezes really well. Just let it cool then scoop leftovers into a freezer bag, label, and freeze.

 

Nutrition

Serving: 2cups | Calories: 502kcal | Carbohydrates: 88g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 930mg | Potassium: 1566mg | Fiber: 30g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 584IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 171mg | Iron: 9mg

More Vegetarian Chili Recipes

• 20-Minute White Bean Chili
• Black Bean Veggie Chili
• Crock Pot Pumpkin Red Lentil Chili
• Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili

The post Easy 5-Bean Chili appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

But they’re often made with bacon, and for a vegetarian, that’s a hard no. For this recipe, I wanted to be able to make baked beans quickly, starting out with canned beans, along with some vegetarian ingredients for the saucy situation.

The sauce simmers in a skillet, then the whole thing is placed in the oven to bake until perfect. These skillet baked beans are easy AND super good!

Table of Contents

• The Story Behind the Recipe
• Skillet Baked Beans Ingredients
• Adaptations/Variations
• How to Make These Vegetarian Baked Beans
• Tips for Success
• More Vegetarian Baked Beans Recipes

• Jump to the Full, Printable Recipe
• Read Comments & Reviews

The Story Behind the Recipe

I’ve created a few vegetarian baked bean recipes over the years, but for this one, I wanted something nice, easy, and fast in comparison to other baked beans recipes. I wanted to be able to take a couple of cans of already-cooked beans and transform them into tasty, saucy vegetarian baked beans.

Ever since spending a few days in London last year, I’ve been mildly obsessed with the idea of baked beans for breakfast. English breakfasts often include a pile of baked beans, and I think they’re such a brilliant breakfast food. Protein + fiber? Count me in!

But baked beans can take awhile to make! They often start out with a bag of dried beans and that takes a long time to cook. Usually we’re talking several hours from start to finish. They’re great, but I wanted something that took less time and started with already cooked beans, but was more homemade than just opening a can of baked beans.

Skillet Baked Beans Ingredients

• Olive oil – For sauteing the veggies.
• Onion – I usually grab the standard yellow onion, but any onion will do.
• Green bell pepper – Adds sweet peppery flavor and some nutrients, too.
• Garlic – Because garlic is ALWAYS a good thing!
• Ketchup – Feel free to use your favorite brand.
• Veggie broth – Grab some from the store or make your own vegetable broth.
• Brown sugar – Adds a nice bit of sweetness.
• Worcestershire sauce – Be sure to grab vegetarian Worcestershire sauce if that’s important to you. Traditional Worcestershire usually contains anchovies.
• Dry mustard, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper – Add tangy, smoky, and spicy notes, respectively.
• Salt & pepper – Adjust according to your personal taste.
• Navy beans – Two cans, drained and rinsed.

Adaptations/Variations

• For sweeter beans a’la Boston Baked Beans, add a couple of tablespoons of dark (not blackstrap) molasses.
• Baked Cannellini Beans – Swap in larger cannellini beans for a different spin. Many other beans are delicious, too!

Tips for Success

• For saucier baked beans, add more vegetable broth. It’s fine to add this at the end of baking. Just stir it right into the warm beans.
• For spicier baked beans, double or even triple the cayenne pepper.

I hope these shortcut baked beans hit the spot for you when you’re craving a baked bean fix! I love how they incorporate veggies and fresh flavors, which to me makes them taste so much better than canned. Yet when you use canned beans instead of dried, it drastically cuts down on cooking time. It’s kind of a nice go-between between an hours long recipe from dried beans and just opening a can.

More Vegetarian Baked Beans Recipes

• Slow Cooker Vegetarian Boston Baked Beans
• Maple Miso Baked Beans
• Slow Cooker Curry Baked Beans
• Slow Cooker Pumpkin Baked Beans

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Vegetarian Skillet Baked Beans (from Canned Beans) Recipe

This fast and easy shortcut recipe for vegetarian baked beans is so delicious! Tender navy beans simmered in a tangy, smoky, slightly sweet sauce … not much better than that.

Keyword skillet baked beans, vegetarian baked beans

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 70kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 medium yellow onion diced small, about 1 cup
• 1/2 green bell pepper diced small, about 1 cup
• 2 medium cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more if desired
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 15-ounce cans navy beans drained

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Place a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. You'll want a skillet that's at least 8-inches in diameter; I use a cast-iron skillet. Add the 1 tablespoon olive oil. When hot, add the 1 cup each onion and green pepper and saute until tender, 5-6 minutes. Add the 2 cloves minced garlic and saute an additional minute.
• Reduce heat to low and add the 1/2 cup ketchup, 1 cup vegetable broth, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon dry mustard, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Stir until well-combined, then drain the two cans of navy beans and stir them in.
• Transfer the skillet to the oven (I like to place it on top of a baking sheet to insure against any spills) and bake about 30 minutes, until thickened and slightly browned around the edges. Serve.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Warm in the microwave or on the stovetop. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 70kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 597mg | Potassium: 122mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 241IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.4mg

The post Easy Vegetarian Skillet Baked Beans (from Canned Beans) Recipe appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

This Vegetarian Navy Bean Soup (made with a bag of dried navy beans!) is full of creamy beans, smoky flavor, and comforting vibes. It’s a meatless riff on classic navy bean soup, which traditionally uses ham – but I’ve replaced that smoky flavor in a couple of ways for a fully vegetarian, fully delicious navy bean soup recipe. And I’m pretty much in love!

The Story Behind the Recipe

Growing up, my Mom often made navy bean soup with a big ol’ ham hock. It was smoky and nourishing and delicious! But I’ve been a vegetarian for over 20 years now, so that soup just hasn’t been on my radar in adulthood.

But as I’ve been moving toward trying to curtail our grocery bill (grocery bills, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhghhhhh, am I right?), navy bean soup popped into my head. And I decided I needed to recreate this nostalgic childhood fave, but I wanted a navy bean soup without ham.

I’ve been developing vegetarian recipes for awhile now, so I have a few secrets up my sleeve for replicating the smoky, umami flavors that ham, bacon, and the like can bring to a recipe. So I whipped out my tricks and went to work, eventually creating a smoky, satisfying navy bean soup that, in my humble opinion, rivals my Mom’s. I love this soup so much!

Why You’ll Love This Vegetarian Navy Bean Soup Recipe

There really is just something super satisfying about transforming a full bag of beans into a nourishing soup. This Vegetarian Navy Bean Soup definitely proves the point!

This navy bean soup recipe is:

• Very freezer friendly. We regularly keep a batch of this vegetarian navy bean soup in our freezer for quick and easy weeknight meals.
• Easy to prep. Yes – the cooking time is long! But the actual prep is super easy.
• Hearty and satiating – And the comfort food vibes are off the charts!
• Super frugal! Bags of dried beans are one of the lowest-price food items around. (Keep scrolling for the price breakdown!)

How Much Does this Navy Bean Soup Cost?

If you’re anything like me, grocery store prices hurt these days. So I love that I can make a huge pot of nourishing soup for only $6. I live in a high cost of living area of the U.S., and this is what I pay for my ingredients for this white bean soup:

• Bag of beans: $1.89
• Olive oil: .10
• Onion: $1
• Carrots: .75
• Celery: .30
• Garlic: .25
• Spices: .25
• Parmesan rind: $1
• Parsley: .50
• Total: $6.04. Not too shabby!
• This soup recipe serves about 8 people, so that works out to around 75 cents per serving. Love it.

Ingredient Details

• Navy beans – You’ll want one pound (one bag, or about two cups) of dried navy beans, soaked.
• Olive oil – For sautéing the aromatic veggies & spices.
• Onion, carrots, and celery – That magical mirepoix, the flavor base of so many delicious soups (for a reason!)
• Garlic – Four cloves!
• Cumin, dried thyme, and smoked paprika – This combo of seasonings adds smoky, earthy, and herbal notes that lend so much flavor to this navy bean soup. Smoked paprika, especially, helps to replace the smoky flavors that ham usually brings to the traditional version of this soup.
• Water – I love that this bean soup doesn’t need vegetable broth; instead, you just need plain old water. The long cooking time + inclusion of typical broth ingredients like carrots, celery, and onion basically ensures that this soup makes its own broth as it simmers, so I’ve found it’s really not needed. Not having to use broth or stock makes this an extra budget-friendly meal.
• Parmesan rind – Simmering a Parmesan rind with soup adds so much salty, umami flavor. However, if you prefer to make a fully vegan version of this navy bean soup, you can leave the Parm rind out. I’ve tested it both ways, and while I do prefer the deep flavor of the soup with the Parmesan rind, the vegan version without the rind is excellent, too.
• Salt & pepper
• Parsley – I like to finish this soup with some fresh parsley to add a bright herbal note (plus it just looks pretty!)
• Garnish – I like to top my vegetarian navy bean soup with a drizzle of olive oil, shredded Parm, a bit of fresh parsley, and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes.

Adaptations/Variations

• Vegan/dairy-free navy bean soup: Simply omit the Parmesan rind. I’ve tested this soup without it, and it’s still delicious!
• Meat option: If the carnivores in your house are craving some meat, you can add some diced, shredded chicken or chopped ham to their portions. Topping with some smoky diced bacon would be nice, too.

Tips for Success

• Don’t skip the soak. There are conflicting reports about how necessary it really is to soak your beans, but for this recipe, it’s important if only because the beans will cook faster.
• Don’t rush the cooking time. The long simmer makes a thick and hearty soup with tender, creamy beans.

I hope you find this Vegetarian Navy Bean Soup to be as hearty and satisfying as we do! I love how frugal it is, how easy it is to make, and it tastes even better the next day!

More Hearty Bean Soup Recipes

• Creamy White Bean Soup
• Bean Without Bacon Soup
• Jalapeño Black Bean & White Bean Soup
• Black Bean & Butternut Squash Soup
• Ribollita
• Pasta e Fagioli

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Vegetarian Navy Bean Soup Recipe

Transform a bag of white navy beans into a delicious and nourishing smoky + creamy soup – no ham necessary! I love to make this soup on Sunday when I have plenty of time to simmer a giant pot of soup on the stove. Then it feeds us all week long!

Keyword navy bean soup, vegrtarian navy bean soup

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 50 minutes minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 300kcal

Author Kare

Equipment

• 1 large Dutch oven or soup pot 6 quarts or larger

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried navy beans 2 cups
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion diced
• 2 carrots diced [1 cup]
• 1 celery stalk diced [1/2 cup]
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 10-12 cups water
• 1 Parmesan rind
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt plus more to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper plus more to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley minced

For serving

• olive oil drizzled over the top
• parsley
• crushed red pepper flakes
• shredded Parmesan

Instructions

Soak the beans

• Place the beans in a large bowl and add water. Let soak overnight. You can also quick-soak the beans by bringing them to a boil, letting boil for 2 minutes, then removing from the heat, covering, and letting sit for at least 1 hour.

Prepare the soup

• Set a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil. When hot, add the onion, celery, and carrots. Saute until tender, 5-6 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, thyme, and smoked paprika. Saute for an additional minute.
• Drain the pre-soaked beans and add those to the pot along with 10 cups water and the Parmesan rind. Stir to combine. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, then reduce to a simmer.
• Simmer uncovered 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the navy beans are fully tender and starting to fall apart and you have a nice, thick soup. Add 1 or 2 more cups water if the soup starts to dry out toward the end of cooking.
• Stir in the parsley, salt and pepper. Add more salt and pepper to taste, if desired.

Serve

• Ladle into bowls and top with a drizzle of olive oil, shredded Parmesan, additional parsley, and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

* Prep time does not include soaking time for the beans. 

Storage notes

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave, splashing in a bit of water or veggie broth if needed to thin it out.
• This soup also freezes well. Place in a freezer bag or freezer-safe lidded storage container and freeze for up to 3 months. Transfer to the fridge overnight to thaw then reheat on the stove or in the microwave. 

Nutrition

Serving: 2cups | Calories: 300kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 0.1mg | Sodium: 820mg | Potassium: 1035mg | Fiber: 20g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 3792IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 155mg | Iron: 5mg

The post Vegetarian Navy Bean Soup Recipe (with Dried Beans) appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

Is this an authentic chili recipe? Definitely not. I mean, it has chickpeas in it – enough said. BUT! Is this 20-minute vegetarian white bean chili absolutely utterly fantastically delicious? Yes yes yes.

Vegetarian White Bean Chili Ingredients

I consider this easy vegetarian and vegan white bean chili to be a perfect pantry recipe – as in, you’re likely to have everything you need for this one right in your pantry.

We have:

• Canned white beans – cannellini, great northern, and garbanzo (chickpeas). Mix and match how you like!
• Canned green chiles
• Vegetable broth (or some homemade goodness tucked away in your freezer)
• A few spices – cumin, oregano, cayenne, a pinch of cloves
• Onion & garlic
• Fresh squeezed lime
• And some goodies for topping if you like. Done!

I designed this recipe to maximize the flavor in the least amount of time (without an Instant Pot or the like – this one just uses the good old stovetop).

The dried oregano cooks up with the onion to bring out its earthy nuances; the cumin’s sautéed along with the garlic to help release its fragrant oils. Vegetable broth is always good for a bit of added complexity, and the hit of acidic lime at the end of the process is all this chili needs.

Well, and a bit of a mash-up too. In order to thicken this chili without simmering it for an hour, I take a masher to it and smash up a few of the beans. Then give it a stir, and voila. Gloriously thick and tasty white bean chili.

Sometimes I like to trash this one up with toppings (avocado, cashew sour cream, chopped onions, cilantro, a good glug of green Tabasco) … but it really doesn’t need the accoutrement.

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20-Minute Vegetarian White Bean Chili Recipe

I’m always surprised by how complex this tastes considering it only takes 20 minutes! Three kinds of beans add interest to this simple (and fast) vegetarian/vegan white bean chili recipe. A weeknight go-to around here!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword chili

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Calories 158kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 medium yellow onion diced) (about 1 cup
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt + more to taste
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper + more to taste
• 3 medium cloves garlic peeled and minced
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth*
• 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed
• 1 (15-ounce) can navy beans, rinsed
• 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed
• 1 4-ounce can diced green chiles
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/8-1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne red pepper) (use less for less heat
• Juice of 1 medium lime

Instructions

• Set a medium-to-large pot over low heat. Add the olive oil, onion, oregano, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Cook the onion, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 8 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cumin. Cook, stirring frequently, for another minute.
• Add the broth, beans, chiles, cloves, and cayenne. Stir to combine. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 3-5 more minutes until thickened a tiny bit.
• Remove from heat. Run a potato masher or fork through 5-6 times just to smash a few of the beans and help thicken it all up. Squeeze the lime over the top and stir. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired.
• Serve with assorted toppings (ideas below).

Notes

Topping ideas:

Optional but recommended!

• Sour cream or vegan cashew sour cream
• Chopped red onions, sweet onions, or scallions
• Cilantro
• Cheese or vegan cheese
• Avocado
• Lime wedges for squeezing over the top

Nutrition

Calories: 158kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 600mg | Potassium: 188mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 51IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 3mg

The post 20-Minute Vegetarian White Bean Chili Recipe appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

Especially these last couple of weeks. Because once I discovered that Fixer Upper was available on Amazon, let’s just say I’ve made up for all that lost HGTV time. By binging on a home improvement show. Livin’ the scintillating dream, that’s me!

Anyway, Chip and Joanna have convinced me to move our kitchen remodeling project to the top of our home project list. Knock out this wall here, extend that island there, bust out that backsplash, paint the cabinets. No problem! My guy mostly just listens and smiles – vaguely – when I talk about it. I can’t decide if that means he’s on board or not.

Meanwhile – light, white, open kitchen or not – these Slow Cooker Mango BBQ Vegan Baked Beans are going to be happening in there. A lot. They’re so so so perfect for summer.

I just can’t help but tout, over and over, how wonderful the Crock Pot is for summer cooking. You do all the work in the morning, before the weather turns sweltering. And then the Crock Pot just sits there nicely, doing its thing all day without transforming your kitchen into a sweat box. Crock Pots are perfect for toting to barbecues, too. Plus, they keep the goods warm until nosh time. Win.

These vegan baked beans are the bee’s knees. Note: no bees were actually harmed in the making of these beans. They (the beans!) are tender and tangy; the perfect balance between sweet and savory. They’re kind of new and a little unique without being weird. They’re ideal for summer potluck BBQs because they work well for just about everyone there – a saucy side for the meat-eaters, but also substantial enough to fill in as a main dish for the plant-based peeps.

Most of my barbecue sauce based recipes start with ketchup, but because I’ve moved more toward using non-refined ingredients, I decided to challenge myself with leaving it out. So instead, I started with tomato sauce, then added the flavors that you’d find in ketchup, along with a few ingredients and spices that transform the saucy base into barbecue saucy goodness. Then the beans stew in that saucy sauce along with chopped onion, garlic, and fresh mango. Saucy! I really like that word.

Oh, hello, savory-sweet, finger-licking BBQ beans.

Okay! Off to watch my very last episode of Fixer Upper! When does Season 3 come out again?!

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Slow Cooker Mango BBQ Baked Beans

Tangy, saucy, and savory-sweet, these easy Crock Pot beans practically scream “summer barbecue!” They’re one of those happy sides that’s perfect for all, but they also just happen to be vegan. Score!

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 8 hours hours

Total Time 8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 3 15-ounce cans white beans (navy beans or cannellini beans are both good), drained (about 4 1/2 cups)
• 2-3 ripe mangoes peeled and diced (2 cups)
• 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
• 1 medium yellow onion diced
• 3 medium cloves garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons agave nectar pure maple syrup, or granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons Tamari or soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt + more to taste
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or more for more heat

Equipment:

• One 3-quart or larger slow cooker

Instructions

• Add all ingredients to slow cooker. Stir gently until combined. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 5-6 hours. Taste and add additional salt if desired. Serve.

The post Slow Cooker Mango BBQ Vegan Baked Beans appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

No, they are definitely not authentic Boston baked beans (though the flavors are definitely inspired by them!) That would pretty much be impossible because the authentic version includes salt pork or bacon … and if we’re going vegetarian with these bad boys, well, meat is no bueno.

To add some smoky flavor back into the mix, I’ve included smoked paprika. A diced green bell pepper adds loads of flavor, too.

By the way – I really wanted to include a jalapeno, too, to add a bit of heat and even a slight smoky element, but ultimately I just found that jalapenos vary too much in heat level to maintain a consistent recipe. So out they went. And instead, we’ve got a little cayenne and a few dashes of Tabasco for heat.

How else do we add flavor? Dry mustard, onion, and vegetable broth instead of water, for starters. Water, by the way, will work fine as a substitute – veggie broth just deepens the flavors a bit.

Oh, and a bay leaf. Must have a bay leaf.

But let’s not forget the most important ingredient of all, aside from the beans themselves.

Molasses, baby. Thick, black molasses. That’s what gives these Crock Pot vegetarian baked beans their unmistakably Boston-y flavor. Molasses, along with brown sugar, mingles with the onion, pepper, and spices to create a sweet, rich vegetarian Boston baked bean extravaganza.

Make these, and you’ll be tooting your own horn, too. Now go back and read the first six words of this sentence and giggle with the 12-year-old me. (Did I just go too far?)

Actually … speaking of. Did you know that’s why it’s so important to soak your beans (and discard that soaking liquid, and rinse well)? That helps remove many of the … gaseous compounds in beans.

All that’s left? Pure (vegetarian!) deliciousness.

If you’re tasked with bringing the baked beans to a barbecue this summer, try this meatless version. Even if you’re a meat-eater yourself, I guarantee there’ll be a vegetarian at the party who will thank you immensely.

Vegetarian baked beans can be such a nice, protein-packed, satiating option for the vegetarians – take this from a vegetarian who has eaten one too many “cheese buns” (that is, a hamburger bun with cheese melted inside) at barbecues past. And you know what else? The carnivores won’t miss the bacon, I swear. Win-win!

Oh, wait! I have one more thing to say about this recipe. Lord knows, I’ve made it enough times and thought about it enough times to where I’m going to have to stop myself at some point here.

So I tried this recipe in the oven the first couple of times, and finally, it dawned on me. Baked beans, the perfect summertime substantial side, baking in a hot oven for hours? No. No no. So I broke out my Crock Pot and made this a slow cooker recipe. I love using the slow cooker in the summer months – no heating up the kitchen – and nice and portable too.

Okay, I’m done. Go forth and eat delicious (vegetarian!) beans!

Important Note

I’ve had a couple of people report back that this recipe didn’t work for them, for various reasons (see comments). I tested this recipe a gazillion times over so I’m not sure what is going wrong for them. I’m keeping this recipe up because I believe in it but I will continue to test and hopefully replicate any issues – and solve them.

The post Slow Cooker “You’ll Never Miss the Bacon” Vegetarian Boston Baked Beans appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.