Homemade baked beans
Sometimes all you want to eat is beans on toast. Some days you’re running behind schedule, your energy level is in the red, there’s some work emergency that needs sorting, or everyone just has to be fed right away that second.
In those cases, baked beans on toast are fabulous. Although, I really don’t mean the gloopy sloppy glutinous mess that comes in a can. Come on, in the time that it takes to heat up that stuff (whatever that is), you can make yourself fresh tasting homemade baked beans with real food which will keep everyone happy and satisfied.
Cooked on stovetop (not baked)
Contrary to the name, I don’t bake my baked beans but I guess you could, if you wanted to. It’s just that putting this meal together and heating it through in a pot on the stove is so quick that you can have dinner on the table in 10-15 minutes (depending on how fast you can chop). If time is of essence, you don’t want to waste it pre-heating the oven.
What to serve your homemade baked beans with
Of course, toast is always an option. Classic pairing but it works.
The other option is pairing these delicious baked beans with my zucchini and corn fritters and “green mush”. This gives you a fabulous assortment of flavours and textures which just go really well together. Scooping up some of these bacon-y beans with some mushed avocado and a piece of a zucchini and corn fritter is one of the small pleasures in life and you should not deprive yourself of it.
Recipe notes
This recipe makes quite a lot of homemade baked beans – I would estimate that if you’re eating baked beans on toast, you could feed 3 to 4 hungry adults, and if you’re serving these with my zucchini and corn fritters, you’ll probably have enough for a couple of meals for the whole family (6 to 8 servings), depending on how hungry everyone is.
Homemade baked beans
Ingredients
- 1 onion, chopped finely
- olive oil
- 2 large fresh tomatoes (off the truss, if possible), chopped
- 6 rashers of shortcut bacon, chopped
- 140 g (about 2 heaped tbsp) tomato paste (low salt, if possible) (I use one of these pods)
- 1.5 to 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
- 2 cans organic cannellini beans (425g each), drained and rinsed (I buy these)
- pinch of salt
- 1 tsp paprika or chili powder (optional, to be added if not feeding young kids)
Instructions
- Cook the onion with olive oil for a couple of minutes, until it starts to soften.
- In the meantime, chop your tomatoes and add them into the pot (one by one or all at once, either is fine).
- Then add chopped bacon, tomato paste, maple syrup and tamari, bring to the boil and let bubble for 5 minutes over medium heat (uncovered).
- Add the cannellini beans and the salt (and spices, if using) and let cook until the cannellini beans have been warmed through (a couple of minutes).
- Cool slightly, serve and enjoy!
Notes
30 Comments
Christie
These beans look so good! I am always looking for new ways to make beans.
Katerina
Thanks so much, Christie!
Shannon
Yum yum YUM! I’ve been waiting for this recipe Katerina! Such a classic, and I can’t wait to pair these delicious baked beans with your zucchini fritters! Absolutely fabulous.
Katerina
Thanks so much Shannon! I hope you enjoy the combination of these flavours and textures! Our favourite at the moment.
Ashley
Oh yum! I’m trying to eat more beans (and veggies in general) because they have so much soluble fiber AND are a nice source of plant protein.
And I definitely need to try these fritters!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Katerina
That sounds like a good plan for 2020! Hope you enjoy!
sonia // daring coco
I’ve always wanted to make my own but never knew where to start. To be honest I’ve never been a huge fan of these because the name just reminds me of that yucky canned stuff. A few years back I ordered some (homemade) at a cafe and was converted. Never attempted to make it myself, but I might give it a go now.
Sxx
http://www.daringcoco.com
Katerina
Hi Sonia, thanks so much for your comment! This is nothing like the tinned stuff so I hope you do make it and enjoy it! Happy New Year!
Laura
I have to say, I’ve never had beans on toast! But it sounds good. I also love the idea of pairing with those lovely fritters! And I love the ingredients you add to the canned beans – so tasty!
Katerina
Thanks so much Laura!
Jeff the Chef
This is just all-around great. Really nice-looking recipe. I love the ingredient list. And a great idea to pair it with fritters. With guac? Never heard of that combo before, but I love it! And by the way, I’ve never heard of putting beans b on toast! I haven’t had baked beans in so, so long. I think I probably would take the extra time to bake them, because I do love the baked texture,
Katerina
Thanks so much, Jeff! Beans on toast is such an Australian classic – perfect for when you’re running low on time. I’ll try baking these next time, I’m interested to see the difference in texture. Thanks so much for your comment!
Inger @ Art of Natural Living
I once tried baked beans (starting from dried) in an Instant Pot. They never got soft. But perhaps I need to try baked beans again!
Katerina
This recipe uses tinned beans so you shouldn’t have the same problem. Hope you enjoy these!
Renuka
This is such a nice recipe for quick bites. I love such small and healthy meals. Thanks for sharing! Going to try it. 🙂
Katerina
Thanks so much, Renuka.
jodie filogomo
I love the idea of the beans with the fritters like that. It seems so grown up and interesting.
XOXO
Jodie
Katerina
Thanks so much, Jodie! We like the different textures and flavours in that combo – it seems to work together really well.
Dahn
The baked beans with those fritters sounds amazing. I love quick dinners like this. Great recipe.
Katerina
Thanks so much Dahn! We love the combination of those flavours. Hope you enjoy it too!
Laura Bambrick
I’m showing the American in me, but I’ve never had baked beans on toast. I do love baked beans though! And these look really tasty especially with the fritters!
Katerina
Haha.. that’s totally an Aussie combo! But perfectly costy and awesome when you’re running low on time.
Robyn
I love making baked beans, it is such a comforting dish and so much better for you than the bought kind! I LOVE the idea about pairing them with fritters and avocado, will definitely have to give it a go! Yum!
Katerina
Thank you so much, Robyn! We love this combo.
Shannon
This looks so GOOD. My kids loved baked beans. I’ll have to try the recipe! Thanks for sharing.
Katerina
Thanks so much Shannon!
David @ Spiced
You are totally making me crave summer picnics with this post! I love baked beans, and homemade is always the best. I love adding a bit of maple syrup to mine, too! 🙂
Katerina
Thanks David! My kids love these beans too and I love how quickly they come together!
Marissa Stevens
I’ve never been a fan of baked beans from a can, but it looks like you’re going to win me over with this homemade version. They look absolutely fantastic! Perfect for get togethers too.
Katerina
Thanks so much! I totally understand, baked beans from the can are not great. Happy New Year!