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Smoky Vegetarian BBQ Baked Beans

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Smoky Vegetarian BBQ Baked Beans are slow cooked, saucy and spicy! Make this Vegetarian Baked Beans recipe from dried or already cooked beans, whatever fits your schedule. This homemade baked beans recipe is a summer essential! This recipe is vegetarian, and vegan.

BBQ Baked Beans Vegetarian Recipe in a baker with a spoon with BBQ sauce on the side.

A Summer Essential

An essential side dish to all things summer, BBQ baked beans are a perfect accompaniment to picnics, cookouts, BBQs, or camping!

Growing up in Texas, BBQ was king. It’s like Starbucks in Seattle; there’s a BBQ pit on every corner. And it’s still that way today. After I stopped eating meat, we’d go to a BBQ joint and I’d get a big baked potato and an ice-burg lettuce salad; no leafy greens in sight.

Disappointed, I’d give the baked beans a pass because they always were made with bacon. But instead, I indulged in copious amounts of BBQ sauce, if those ingredients allowed which occasionally would be the case, and slathered it all over the potato. I continued to hope for veggie BBQ baked beans.

Dry beans for the vegetarian beans recipe from scratch   Soaked Beans in a white bowl ready for cooking

Are Baked Beans Vegetarian and Vegan Friendly?

Traditionally, since pork is added to baked beans, they’re not vegan or vegetarian friendly.  Also, there may be animal based ingredients in the sauce used for baked beans, so this is a consideration as well. 

And another reason why homemade is always better! This homemade BBQ baked beans recipe is vegetarian and vegan friendly.

The sauce for these vegan baked beans is a homemade Smoky Bourbon BBQ Sauce recipe I use for all things BBQ. It’s full of flavor, and super simple to pull together. 

Being able to still enjoy smoky BBQ beans living a meat free life is a total win! Hooray!

Chopping onion with other vegetarian ingredients around the chopping board   Chopping carrots using a sharp knife with healthy vegetarian ingredients around

How to Make BBQ Baked Beans

For this recipe, I’ve included how to make baked beans from scratch using dry beans and how to make baked beans from canned beans. Use which ever method suits your schedule. In summary, here’s how to make it (see recipe card below for details): 

How to make Baked Beans from Scratch

  • First, soak the dry beans overnight. 
  • Second, drain, rinse and cook the beans.
  • Third, while the beans are cooking, bake the aromatics: carrots, onions and spices. 
  • Fourth, once the beans are cooked and the aromatics are ready, mix them together and pour on the BBQ sauce! 
  • Last, bake the baked beans. 

How to make Baked Beans from Canned Beans

  • First, bake the aromatics: carrots, onions and spices. 
  • Second, while the aromatics are cooking, drain and rinse the beans.
  • Third, once the aromatics are ready, mix in the beans and pour on the BBQ sauce!
  • Last, bake the baked beans.

Although the beans have a long bake of 45 minutes, they’re easy to pull together. While the baked beans are baking away in the oven, there’s plenty of time to whip up some vegetarian BBQ or homemade veggie burgers to pair with these vegetarian and vegan baked beans.

Thing is, homemade baked beans don’t need pork when mouthwatering flavors come from ingredients like the Smoky Bourbon BBQ sauce, smoky paprika and fire roasted tomatoes. These ingredients take this vegan and vegetarian baked beans recipe over the top! And you’ll never ever miss the bacon. Seriously!

BBQ Baked BeansCombining chopped vegetarian ingredients in a pan  Mixing carrots and other vegetarian ingredients in the baker.

What Kind of Beans are Baked Beans?

I pondered this for far too long before making homemade baked beans. The canned variety are made from small beans, probably like Navy beans. So if you’re looking for a small BBQ baked bean variety, give Navy beans, provider or black eyed peas a go. 

If bean size isn’t a concern, use whatever you have on hand! I’ve used dried mixed beans, pinto beans and Rockwall beans from our CSA, but have also used canned pinto beans, kidney beans, and black eyed peas. There are no rules here because it’s the aromatics and sauce that provide the flavor. The beans provide texture and are simply a vehicle for the mouthwatering sauce! 

Can You Freeze Baked Beans?

Absolutely! Store beans in a freezer container for up to two weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before gently reheating on the stovetop. 

Mixing beans with carrots and other ingredients with a wooden spoon and adding the BBQ sauce to the beans.    Close up of the BBQ Vegetarian Baked Beans

What to Serve with Baked Beans?

Vegetaran and Vegan Mains

Other Sides to Share

Oh yeah, and cornbread! That can get a Texas-size dunk in BBQ sauce. In fact, I have a gluten free cornbread recipe and jalapeno cheddar cornbread you may like. 

Homemade BBQ Baked Beans Vegetarian Recipe in a baker with ready to serve.

A Few Recipe Notes

  • This BBQ beans recipe calls for dry or already cooked canned beans. I like baked beans from scratch because I can use beans from our local farms. They do take a bit of extra time to cook, but their creamyness is worth the wait. Canned beans are just so convenient. 
  • You can make these beans up to two days in advance of when you need them. Store in a lidded container in the refrigerator until ready to reheat and share. 
  • Freezer Friendly? Yes please! Freeze for up to two weeks!

More Vegetarian and Vegan BBQ Recipes to Love 

Close up of the BBQ Vegetarian Baked Beans
Print Recipe

the recipe

Smoky Vegetarian BBQ Baked Beans

Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 25 minutes
Servings:5 -6 Servings
Calories:322kcal
Author:Traci | Vanilla And Bean
Smoky, spicy and sweet, these Vegetarian Baked Beans start with a base of slow roasted caramelized onion, carrot and garlic, then BBQ sauce and fire roasted tomatoes are added to make up this saucy, mouthwatering recipe. This recipe is vegan and vegetarian.
See blog post above for what to share this scrumptious side with!
**Time below does not include the time it takes to cook dry beans - this can take anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour.

Ingredients

  • 1 C (200g) Dry Beans such as Provider, Pinto, Navy or Black-Eyed Peas, or Mixed Beans OR 2, 15-oz (425g each) Cans of Beans, rinsed and drained (choose your favorite bean!)
  • 2 C (260g) Purple Onion about one large, cut in half and sliced into thin 1/2 moons,
  • 2 C (215g) Carrots sliced, about 4 medium
  • 2 Cloves Garlic large, minced
  • 1/8 tsp Red Chili Flakes (if you like more heat, go with 1/4 tsp)
  • 1 tsp Cumin ground
  • 2 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1 tsp Fine Sea Salt
  • 2 Tbs Coconut Oil unrefined cold-pressed, or olive oil
  • 1 1/4 C (350g) Fire-Roasted Tomatoes crushed, one can
  • 1 C (275g) Smoky Bourbon Homemade BBQ Sauce

Instructions

For the Beans:

  • If using canned beans, drain them and move on to #2.
    Otherwise, soak dry beans overnight, or at least 8 hours, making sure water covers the beans by 3". Drain and rinse the beans. In a medium saucepan, add beans and enough fresh water to cover beans by 3". Add a pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Turn heat to medium-low and simmer for about 30-60 minutes. Start checking the beans at around 30 minutes. The beans are done when they are tender. (How long it takes for the beans to cook depends on the age and type of the beans used). Drain and set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 350F (177C).
  • In a large roasting pan, add the onion, carrots, garlic, chili flakes, cumin, paprika, salt and coconut or olive oil. Stir. Roast for 20 minutes, stirring after 5 minutes to evenly distribute the coconut or olive oil.
  • To the onion mixture, add the cooked beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, and BBQ sauce. Gently stir.
  • Bake, uncovered, at 350F for 45 minutes. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before sharing.
  • Store leftovers in a covered container for up to two days or freeze for up to two weeks. When reheating, add additional BBQ sauce or water to thin the beans as they tend to thicken.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Jamie Oliver's BBQ Baked Beans.

Nutrition is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate. If this information is important to you, please have it verified independently.

Calories: 322kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 1253mg | Potassium: 830mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 9500IU | Vitamin C: 7.7mg | Calcium: 103mg | Iron: 4mg
Made It? Leave a comment below! The most helpful comment may include recipe rating, feedback, any modifications and/or helping other commenters. On Instagram? Take a snap of your make and share, tagging @VanillaAndBean #VanillaAndBean!
 

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Reader Interactions

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  3. 5 stars
    Made these yesterday and served with Sweet Potato burgers. Delicious Sunday dinner. Another V & B recipe to add to my “Make Again” list Thanks Traci.

    Reply

  5. 5 stars
    So delicious, especially great payoff for the amount of effort. Served with cornbread and coleslaw (and bratwurst for the meat eaters) an loved by all. Thanks for another great recipe!

    Reply

  9. 5 stars
    I gave up red meat several years ago. I didn’t think there could be a replacement for my Mother’s homemade baked beans, but these rival hers. Thank you! These are the best. My meat eater daughter asked for some to take home! I followed the recipe exactly and woildn’t change a thing. I did use CI’s homemade BBQ sauce.

    Reply

    • Thank you so much for your note and giving the recipe a go Stephanie! I looove these beans too… and can think of so many ways to enjoy them.. (recipe coming soon!). They make great leftovers too! (I’ve not tried CI’s BBQ sauce.. I’ll have to find it – thank you!!)

      Reply

  13. I am in love with these baked beans – they looks do darn comforting and delicious!!!! And yes to dunking all the corn bread in BBQ sauce and smothering these beans with tabasco, yum!

    And that looks like an absolutely lovely local farm!!! I wish we had one like that around here! :)

    Reply

  15. 5 stars
    This looks super delicious, Traci! Love that you use your own BBQ sauce and your pictures are simply stunning (AGAIN)!
    Growing up in Hungary baked beans were something I’ve never heard of, I have only tried them a few years ago first, but I can totally see why you loved them as a child, I guess I would have also loved them ❤️
    BTW what do you mean baked beans are not vegetarian? What do they put in what’s not vegetarian? I though it’s made only with beans, tomato sauce and some spices….

    Reply

    • Thaaank you, Evi! Many baked beans have some sort of pork added, like pork fat or bacon, especially commercial varieties and all BBQ pits I’ve been to add it.

      Reply

  16. What a willpower you have to be a vegetarian in the land of succulent meat!!! I totally admire you for that. Though come to think of it, I would not mind eating this delicious looking baked bean instead of the meat either :)

    P.S. Farmers are such hard work, and they are my heroes.

    Reply

  17. 5 stars
    What a great use of your delicious bbq sauce Traci and I love that baked beans were a summer time classic where you grew up — I tend to associate them with cold winter days following a long skate on the Ottawa canal :) but I could definitely get behind them this time of year too; what’s not to love?! Although I’m not a vegetarian, a significant proportion of my diet is plant based and I too have a preference for veggie baked beans — this version sounds (and looks!) so delicious. I’d be over the moon to discover it at a ‘cookout’ (did I use that term correctly? ;-). I was smiling reading about your sister’s beautiful mug on IG — I too have some pieces that are too pretty not to use for other purposes… love the glaze and overall earthy chunky look of this one — it works so well here in your photos – well done!

    Reply

    • Ooooh, now, yes… these would be delightful after a skate on the Ottawa canal. They’d warm you up for sure! LOL – cookout!! Yeeessss! Kelly you said it right! Oh that mug, I know! I’d love to have a set of four. The glaze is so pretty.

      Reply

  18. Love learning about Prairie Bottom farm, Traci. It’s amazing how much they do by hand – the weeding alone must be daunting. I never thought about overspray from neighboring farms – that must be a real worry for them. Love you smoky bbq baked beans too. These would be perfect for a summer BBQ – especially with your homemade BBQ sauce!

    Reply

    • Yeah, the weeding! There’s so many! I barely feel like I can keep up with my own garden.. Oh yeah, the beans. Soo tasty! They’ll be on our 4th of July menu for sure! :D

      Reply

  19. I can jut smell those baked beans from here! Oh man, what I’d do for a bowl! And I’m loving these farm posts. It’s so fun to see things being grown in such a beautiful environment! My sister works at a gleaning association, and one of her duties is to tend to the chickens on the weekends. I think I need to follow in your footsteps and do a little farm post :)

    Reply

    • Oh wow – gleaning? What does she harvest? Mushrooms? Ramps? Berries?! I’d love to learn more! Yes, please do a farm post! I’d love it! :D

      Reply

  22. Traci, these beans look to-die-for! I can imagine enjoying these at a summer cookout with bbq ribs – yum!! Or dipping tortilla chips in, mmm <3

    Beautiful job, Traci, and beautiful photos! I loved the animated one! :)

    Reply

    • Thank you, Beeta! Oh, now, tortilla chips? I haven’t thought of that, but you can bet I’ll be dippin! I have some leftover! Thanks for the tip! :D

      Reply

    • Beautiful, yes! So much going on out there everyday to support a local food economy. I think one of the things that I missed most at first, after going vege was the BBQ for sure! But I’ve found alternative ways to enjoy it.. and really, it’s all about that sauce, right? :D

      Reply

  25. Love this! These beans sound delicious! It was hard being a vegetarian in southern California , I can only imagine how hard it must have been in Texas! They must have thought you were crazy. I would be just like him, tripping out on the over spray! I trip out when someone sprays round up in their garden. I think about the poor animals that walk through it : (

    Reply

    • Oh yess… you know! Some areas of Texas have great options, like in Austin. But I wasn’t in Austin! :D Oh I know, Stephanie. I see the round up spray come out around here and that’s the first thing I think about… the Robin’s are pulling worms and feeding their little babies with round up tainted food.. or the deer who step in it, or or or… I just don’t understand the thinking that goes behind using it. :(

      Reply

    • Woo Hoo! Summer BBQs are the best! Hope you enjoy the recipe, Mary Ann! Hard work, yes, but joy for what they are doing. I’t an honor to write about them and their farm.

      Reply

  29. Oh Traci I know what I am making for dinner this Saturday night – a batch of these glorious beans and homemade cornbread. I am not a Texan girl, not even remotely, but I love some homemade beans and cornbread. Ultimate comfort food. I cannot wait!
    Those photos of The Farm are great!

    Reply

    • YaY… Amy! Comfort food indeed! I hope you enjoy them! Oh yes, the cornbread. I’ve not shared my favorite Texas cornbread recipe yet.. need to do it! :D

      Reply