For whatever reason, I feel like I’ve made it my mission to share the joy of beans on toast. I realize, it’s a bit of a funny mission. However, beans on toast is a magical thing and if you like beans, you should eat them on toast.
Growing up in the midwest, baked beans were a thing for nearly every family get-together. And yet, I never ate them. I avoided them, in fact. I’m not sure if it was the flavor, the texture, or just that I wasn’t a big fan of any bean. Luckily all of that has changed and now I have my favorite vegan baked bean recipe to share.
When it comes to bean varieties, small navy beans are the traditional baked bean. I’ve also been known to use great northern. I’d also highly recommend checking out Rancho Gordo and using their Yellow Indian Woman Bean or their Alubia Blanca. I picked up a bag and the texture of these beans is perfect for a long-baked dish.
I usually stick with molasses, maple syrup, or honey but I have a weakness for dark muscovado sugar. This unrefined cane sugar has all of the molasses, making it a rich/moist sweetener. Paired with an extra bit of molasses, it makes these beans really shine. Of course, if you can’t find muscovado sweetener, use a bit more molasses or swap for brown sugar.
Traditional baked beans use bacon and while I could definitely swap in something more substantially meat-like, I don’t care. For me, the bacon brings the smoke and that’s why I can’t recommend enough picking up a bottle of smoked salt. Paired with the smoked paprika, you’re good-to-go, sans bacon.
Also, look for vegan Worcestershire sauce. Annie’s has a solid one and sometimes stores carry at least one other variety. This sauce is good to keep on hand for an extra boost of fermented goodness to many meals.
Can I make this in the Instant Pot? If so, what would be the timinhg?
I think you probably could but I can't tell you time- I don't really know much about the Instant Pot. This might help: https://www.skinnytaste.com/brown-sugar-baked-beans/
Yes! Beans of toast forever. I use the Bon Appetit recipe for marinated beans, but I'll definitely be trying this soon. The first time I told my husband we were eating "beans on toast for dinner" I got the sassiest side-eye, and now it's genuinely one of his favorite meals.
Also...I was just searching for a vegan baked bean recipe on Pinterest and wasn't satisfied with any of them, so this is exciting 🙂
These turned out so delicious - going to make them again and agaiN!
Beans on toast are a very British thing, always have been. It's incredibly easy to find tinned beans here that are vegetarian or vegan. They are nice served with a poached or fried egg. I enjoy them for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
The beans tasted amazing, my traditionalist mother even loved them (without the bacon!). Our first time trying beans on toast and we absolutely loved it. I didn't have any smoked salt, so I just used regular salt and added a splash of liquid smoke to compensate. Served it over sourdough with some roasted broccoli and steamed kale on the side. Delicious!
Being British, I’m not a massive fan of US store-bought baked beans (too sweet) so gave this a go and honestly, it’s delicious. I made everything as detailed in the recipe except is subbed smoked salt for regular salt. I’d definitely make again
These are quite good! Can be easily made oil-free! Just cook onions in veggie broth. Wish I'd had molasses, but had to use maple syrup. Great smoky flavor that I really love. I must confess to adding extra hot mustard. Beans were yellow-eye from Rancho Gordo, resulting in a creamy sweet broth. Delicious!
Hello! Can I replace the beans with kidney beans or regular white beans? Thank you!
Yes!