Discover a quick and easy way to prepare healthy baked beans using canned beans. Add a few simple ingredients and warm for a side dish ready in just 30 minutes. Perfect for barbeques, cookouts and family gatherings.
For as long as I can remember, this healthy baked beans recipe has been a tradition in my family. If you haven't considered making baked beans before, you’ll be making them time and time again after trying this recipe. If making baked beans from scratch seems like too much work, this is the perfect baked beans recipe for you.
Much like corn on the cob, burgers or barbecue, baked beans are a staple for the summer. They make the perfect side dish for BBQs, potlucks, and your next cookout. Make canned baked beans taste homemade with just a few simple ingredients and a quick oven bake, you'll have a warm and savory baked bean recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This is the best baked beans recipe you’ll ever try. Here are a few reasons why you’ll love this recipe:
- Time-saving - the use of canned baked beans with just a few additional ingredients, allows you to create a delicious and flavorful side dish in no time.
- Wholesome - The recipe focuses on using cleaner ingredients making this recipe a healthy option for those conscious of their dietary choices.
- Can Make it the day before - you can make it a day ahead and reheat before serving. The flavors will deepen and become even more savory overnight.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll only need a few ingredients for this healthy baked bean recipe. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Vegetarian Baked beans - many baked beans recipes are made from scratch using various dry beans like navy beans, pinto beans, cannellini beans or kidney beans but canned baked beans are perfect if you’re looking for a quick recipe. They are often cooked in a tangy seasoned sauce with a variety of spices which is a great base for making your own homemade baked beans recipe. This recipe uses the vegetarian version of baked beans however you can use your preferred can of baked beans.
- Onion and garlic - you'll need ½ cup onion and 3 - 4 cloves of fresh garlic cloves, minced for extra flavoring.
- Coconut sugar - most baked beans recipes use brown sugar as a sweetener, however to make this recipe a healthier version, I used coconut sugar as a substitute. If you’d like to use brown sugar, I recommend starting at about ½ cup brown sugar.
- Ketchup - help to add tomato flavor. Look for an organic ketchup without high fructose corn syrup. You can also use your favorite BBQ sauce to really add more flavor. Worcestershire sauce also works great.
- Dijon mustard - This recipe uses stone ground dijon mustard. I haven’t tried it with regular or whole grain mustard however feel free to use your favorite mustard.
- Molasses - helps to add a richness to the baked beans. Make sure to get unsulphured molasses. You can also use pure maple syrup. If you prefer sweeter baked beans, add 1- 2 extra tablespoons.
- Spices - The main spices in this dish are smoked paprika ground black pepper. Feel free to add in a little salt, to taste, if you like.
How to Make Baked Beans
- Pour the can of beans into a baking dish and add the onion and garlic on top.
- Add in the remaining ingredients (coconut sugar, ketchup, mustard, molasses, smoked paprika and ground black pepper).
- Stir everything together until fully combined.
- Bake the beans for 30 - 40 minutes, or until the beans are bubbly.
- Remove the baked beans from the oven and let them rest for 5 to 10 minutes and then serve.
What to Eat with Baked Beans
These baked beans are a great comforting side dish to pair with other summer barbeque side dishes like southern collard greens, corn on the cob, potato salad or cornbread. You can also serve baked beans with a hamburger as a side or with a delicious BBQ pulled pork sandwich.
How to Store and Reheat
- To Store - Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 – 6 days when stored in an airtight container.
- Freezing baked beans - Homemade baked beans will freeze well for up to 2 months. To freeze, let the beans cool completely to room temperature, then store them in a freezer safe container. When you’re ready to eat you can move them to the refrigerator the night before to let thaw before reheating.
- Reheating - The beans can be warmed up on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through. You can also reheat them in the microwave, in 30 – 60 second intervals, stirring after each, until warm through. If you prefer to use the oven, place the baked beans in a baking dish and cover with aluminum foil. Baked at 325 degrees F for 15 - 20 minutes until warmed.
Is It a Thyroid-Friendly Recipe? Beans are a great source of B vitamins, dietary fiber, and protein. Beans are known to not only help to reduce blood sugar and improve cholesterol but they also help maintain a healthy gut which is essential for thyroid health and absorption of minerals.
Most traditional baked beans use added sugar like brown sugar and maple syrup as a sweetener, however to make this recipe a little healthier, I used coconut sugar and molasses as a substitute. Coconut sugar contains natural vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. Molasses is a good source of iron, selenium, copper and also contains calcium, which are all needed for proper thyroid health.
Recipe FAQ
There’s many ingredients that you can add to canned baked beans to dress them up to make them taste better. Some of the ingredients used in this recipe is coconut sugar, molasses, ketchup and mustard.
Some other ingredients that may be used in doctored up baked beans are maple syrup, barbeque sauce, and sometimes apple vinegar. Baked beans can be dressed up based on your preference of sweet or tangy.
Canned baked beans can be thickened using sugars. Typically brown sugar is used when making a baked bean recipe. To thicken the sauce, you can also use condiments like honey, coconut sugar, maple syrup and molasses.
Yes, beans are naturally gluten-free which makes them great for those on a gluten-free diet. They are also a good source of fiber, protein and vitamins.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 – 6 days when stored in an airtight container.
Yes, They can be frozen in a freezer safe container for up to 2 months.
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Easy Healthy Baked Beans
Ingredients
- ½ cup onion diced
- 3 - 4 cloves fresh garlic minced
- 2 28 ounces canned baked beans vegetarian
- 1 cup coconut sugar packed
- 1/4 cup ketchup or BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons stone ground dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons unsulphured molasses
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons black pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Pour the baked beans into a baking dish and add the onion and garlic on top.
- Add in the coconut sugar, ketchup, mustard, molasses, smoked paprika and ground black pepper.
- Stir everything together until fully combined.
- Bake the beans for 30 - 40 minutes, or until the beans are bubbly.
- Remove the baked beans from the oven and let them rest for 5 to 10 minutes and then serve.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Although HalfPastHungry.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on which products you use, the brand that was purchased, or in other unforeseeable ways. HalfPastHungry.com will not be held liable for any reliance on given nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your physician first.
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