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    Vegetarian Baked Beans Recipe from the Crockpot

    Published: February 9, 2020. Last Updated: July 14, 2020 by: Ginny McMeans

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    Close up of a white blow full of rich brown baked beans with text above and belwo for pinning.
    Overhead photo of a white bowl full of multi types of baked beans.

    This Vegetarian Baked Beans recipe is cooked with a little bit of a kick added. It's a quick Crock pot baked beans dinner because a variety of canned beans are used. By dinner time they are perfect and ready to be served to the whole family.

    White single serve chili bowl filled with vegetarian baked beans.

    Vegan Baked Beans are rich and spicy all at the same time. This recipe utilizes canned beans instead of dried so the cooking time is shorter.

    That makes it nice that you don't have to hurry in the morning to get the crockpot loaded. You can put it on a little later after the house has calmed down or you are on a lunch break.

    Just use your favorite brands, add a flavorful base, and in no time you have a rich and tasty dinner for the whole family.

    The flavorful base is made of ingredients that you probably already have in the cupboard and it's a great base made from scratch for baked beans.

    Half cropped bowlful of baled beans with a cloth napkin under the bowl.
    Jump to:
    • 🥫 Beans
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 💭 Chefs tips
    • 📖 Variations
    • 💭 Can you freeze baked beans
    • 📋 Recipe

    Of course, if you want to get it set up early and have one of those programmable crockpots then you can set it to start it's cooking any hour you want and you'll still have a perfect hot meal.

    🥫 Beans

    • Cooking dried beans is great but canned are quick and if you don’t have a lot of time they cook much quicker. 
    • If you are worried about sodium, choose a low sodium vegan brand.
    • You can make this amazingly delicious meal with zero fuss over a stovetop but sometimes you want to be able to walk away for a while and not even have to worry about stirring.

    That's where the slow cooker comes in handy.

    There is also no soaking overnight or if you forget, hurrying up in the morning and precook the beans for an hour or so for plumping.

    A spoon is sliding through a big bowl of baked beans just in time for dinner.

    Of course, you want to get it set up early enough to cook on low for 4 hours.

    If you have a programmable crockpot to preset the start of cooking time, you'll have a perfect hot meal ready any hour you chose.

    The trick to using canned beans in a slow cooker is to add a concentrated base of flavorful sauces and seasonings.

    This way they will absorb more of these flavors in less of the time. And they won’t lose their texture or get all mushy!

    🥘 Ingredients

    • The list of ingredients is simple, and everything takes just a few minutes to prepare.
    • Use your favorite type of canned beans in this recipe, but I do recommend combining different kinds and add chili beans too for a great flavor.
    • This Vegetarian Baked Beans recipe makes enough for about six people, but don't hesitate to scale it up if you want to entertain guests or make it for a potluck.
    A large black crockpot filled in layers with the baked beans ingredient before stirring.
    • Chili Beans - are great heated right out of the can. You can imagine the flavors it adds.
    • Kidney Beans - are a deep earthy tasting bean.
    • Cannellini Beans - are white kidney beans and a bit lighter in flavor.
    • White onion - doesn't have to be pre-sauteed for this recipe but still adds a sweet cooked onion taste.
    • Hot sauce - and I used Sriracha. You can add a bit more than others such as Tabasco.
    • Ketchup - adds a tomatoey sweetened flavor.
    • Brown sugar - is a maple-like sweetness.
    • Prepared yellow mustard - helps to mellow out the sweetness and yellow mustard is what you want to use.
    • Dry mustard - is also important for contrasting flavors.
    • Garlic powder - is the all delicious seasoning for savory dishes.
    • Worcestershire Sauce - is full of concentrated spices but make sure you buy a vegan one.
    A wooden spoon is stirring the Vegetarian baked beans in the slow cooker.

    💭 Chefs tips

    • Mix in the liquid of the chili can: a can of chili beans are already spiced up with great ingredients, and you don’t want to lose these flavors. Trust me; it works beautifully in this recipe.
    • Stir in the sauces and seasoning before cooking.
    • The crock pot baked beans are cooked low for 4 hours.
    • Use prepared mustard, not Dijon or another substitute because you need the mustard tang to help cut the sweetness.
    • This rich bean dish when done is creamy throughout, and the sauce is nice and thick. 
    • Stir in the sauces and seasoning before cooking.
    • The crock pot baked beans are cooked low for 4 hours.
    • Use prepared mustard, not Dijon or another substitute because you need the mustard tang to help cut the sweetness.
    • This rich bean dish when done is creamy throughout, and the sauce is nice and thick. 
    • My husband doesn't like spicy food so I leave out the Sriracha for him and he loves it. You can leave it out for your kids too.
    • That is something you'll have to take into consideration. Heat or no heat. Me? If I don't get to add it into the recipe I add a little splash of Sriracha in at the table and into my bowl.
    A spoonful of baked beans is being held close to the camera lens to show the rich textures.

    Beans are such a nice change from pasta or rice but I think people forget about them when they are planning their weekly meals.

    It's easy to get stuck in a rut and even forget about those good old standards.

    You could serve this up as a hearty lunch or dinner but it would make a wonderful side dish too.

    Those chilly nights just got a whole lot cozier.

    📖 Variations

    Perfect Barbecue Baked Beans - is cooked low and slow with the Great Northern variety.
    BBQ Baked Beans - are also made in the slow cooker with navy beans and tempeh bacon.

    💭 Can you freeze baked beans

    • IF FREEZING:
    • Let the mixture cool to room temperature and freeze in any of the ways I have described in my article Preparing Food for the Freezer
    • TO PREPARE AFTER FREEZING:
    • Take out of the freezer and put in the refrigerator a few hours (about 6 hours) before heating. Heat in a large saucepan or in the microwave. Serve hot.
    Close up view of a white chili bowl filled with a crock pot comfort food.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

    If you take a photo of this rich Vegetarian Baked Beans recipe I would love to see it. Follow me over on Instagram and tag me on your photo @vegan_in_the_freezer.

    Your opinion means a lot to me and if you'd like to leave a comment and possibly a star rating I'd love to hear your thoughts.

    📋 Recipe

    Close up view of a white chili bowl filled with baked beans.

    Vegetarian Baked Beans

    Ginny McMeans
    Vegetarian Baked Beans are cooked with a little bit of a kick added.
    4.58 from 19 votes
    Print Save Saved
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 4 hrs
    Total Time 4 hrs 15 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Slow Cooker, Vegan
    Servings 6 Servings
    Calories 361 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 15 ounces chili beans - 1 can, NOT drained
    • 15 ounces kidney beans - 1 can, drained
    • 15 ounces cannellini beans - 1 can, drained
    • ½ cup onion - white, chopped
    • 1 tablespoon hot sauce - Sriracha
    • ¾ cup ketchup
    • ¾ cup brown sugar
    • 4 tablespoons yellow prepared mustard
    • 1 tablespoon dry mustard
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce - look for vegan

    Instructions
     

    • Another super simple dinner for the crock pot.
    • Put all of the ingredients in the crockpot.
    • Remember to use all of the liquid in the chili can and use prepared mustard, not Dijon or another substitute because you need the mustard tang to help cut the sweetness.
    • Cook 4 hours on low.
    • You can certainly double up the ingredients for larger groups and families.

    Notes

    • IF FREEZING:
    • Let the mixture cool to room temperature and freeze in any of the ways I have described in my article Preparing Food for the Freezer
    • TO PREPARE AFTER FREEZING:
    • Take out of the freezer and put in the refrigerator a few hours (about 6 hours) before heating. Heat in a large saucepan or in the microwave. Serve hot.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 12ouncesCalories: 361kcalCarbohydrates: 75gProtein: 14gFat: 1gSodium: 928mgPotassium: 776mgFiber: 12gSugar: 37gVitamin A: 160IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 121mgIron: 5.5mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    • A green handled bowl if fill with baked beans on a plaid napkin.
    • Bowl full of chili beans in a green bowl with a spoon on the side.
    • A green handled bowl if fill with baked beans on a plaid napkin.
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jeni @ Biscuits & Booze

      September 29, 2017 at 10:09 am

      5 stars
      I love this! I can't imagine thinking sriracha is spicy lol. My best friend though - she's the same. She eats like a kid. She says she'll eat anything I make though as long as I don't tell her what's in it. lol. Crock pot baked beans are a great fall dinner idea though. My husband would love it!

    2. Matt @ Plating Pixels

      September 29, 2017 at 11:20 am

      It's totally slow cooker season! Looking forward to making this.

    3. Jennifer

      September 29, 2017 at 1:12 pm

      5 stars
      The crock pot is my best friend these days! This is such a simple and delicious sounding meat free meal to incorporate! Thanks for sharing it!

    4. Meliann

      September 29, 2017 at 1:27 pm

      5 stars
      We love this recipe! This looks so comforting! I'm imagining this right now with fresh French bread together with my family chilling in our living room in front of the TV! Fantastic! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

    5. Natalie

      September 29, 2017 at 1:51 pm

      5 stars
      I absolutely love the flavours in this one. I have to save this to my to try list. My hubby will LOVE me for making him this beans.

    6. Laura

      April 10, 2022 at 1:19 pm

      5 stars
      5 Stars! My whole family enjoyed this recipe. I’ll admit that I messed up and didn’t have white beans, but I was able to sub black beans and it was great. I’ll make sure I have everything ahead of time for the next try :).
      Thank you for sharing this recipe!

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    For years I dabbled in cooking vegan food, but since I became a mom it has become more important for me than ever. What I’m after is a great collection of healthy and not time-consuming vegan recipes that make the whole family look forward to meals together.

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