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Savory Dairy-Free BBQ Baked Beans Recipe Easy Smoky Bacon Flavor

dairy-free bbq baked beans - featured image

A quick and easy dairy-free baked beans recipe with a smoky bacon flavor using pantry staples, perfect for BBQs and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups canned navy beans (about 2 cans, drained and rinsed)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup or molasses
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup vegetable broth (240 ml)
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¾ teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
  • Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of liquid aminos

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Drain and rinse the navy beans thoroughly and set aside in a colander.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
  4. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  5. Stir in the smoked paprika and cook for 30 seconds. Optionally add a pinch of cayenne pepper here.
  6. Mix in the tomato paste, maple syrup (or molasses), Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Stir well and let simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to thicken.
  7. Add the drained beans to the skillet. Pour in the vegetable broth, then season with salt and black pepper.
  8. Stir everything gently to combine; the mixture will be saucy but not watery.
  9. Transfer the bean mixture into an ovenproof casserole dish or Dutch oven and spread evenly.
  10. Cover with a lid or aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  11. Remove the cover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes to caramelize the top and thicken the sauce.
  12. Let the beans cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

If sauce gets too thick during baking, add a splash more vegetable broth. If beans seem dry after baking, stir in a teaspoon of olive oil or a bit more maple syrup. For gluten-free, check tomato paste and liquid smoke brands. Optional cayenne pepper or chipotle powder can add heat. Leftovers taste better after a day and reheat well with a splash of broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: dairy-free baked beans, BBQ baked beans, smoky baked beans, vegan baked beans, dairy-free BBQ side, smoky bacon flavor, easy baked beans