These Vegan Skillet BBQ Bake Beans are incredibly delicious and SO much better than the canned version! These are healthy, homemade, oil-free and refined sugar-free. They are smoky, sweet and perfectly balanced in flavor!
You know when a recipe is so good you are all fighting over the last bite. That is how these Vegan Skillet Barbecue Baked Beans are. Even my 4 year old was shouting “yummy!” from the rooftops. It’s no secret that my favorite flavor ever is BBQ. I think it tastes good with practically anything, but there is something so amazing and classic about barbecue baked beans. I grew up eating these, but they of course were usually made with bacon. Well, these are not only vegan and plant-based, but they are totally oil-free and super low-fat.
HOW TO MAKE VEGAN SKILLET BBQ BAKED BEANS
Guess what, you don’t need bacon. Using 2 very key ingredients that make these beans to-die-for, is vegan worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke. Without these 2, you will not reach this rich, deep flavor. Liquid smoke gives that same amazing, rich, smoky flavor. Not only that, but I found THE most amazing liquid smoke, called Lazy Kettle, I have ever tasted. It is soooo flavorful, so authentic and honestly smells and tastes just like a wood chip from a barbecue pit from the days my Dad barbecued growing up. It was just a lucky find at Homegoods store of all places.
No need for soaking these vegan barbecue baked beans. There’s no need for all of that extra time. These beans are so easy and quick and ready in about an hour and yet, they taste like they have been simmering for hours. SO GOOD. Your house will smell straight up like a BBQ restaurant, no exaggeration.
Other BBQ Sides to serve:
Vegan Skillet BBQ Baked Beans
Ingredients
For cooking the veggies
- 1/2 cup (64g) chopped green bell pepper
- 1/2 packed cup (67g) finely diced white onion
- 3 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
For the remaining ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups tomato puree/sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke (I used Lazy Kettle brand which is amazing in this, if you are using another brand, start out with just 2 teaspoons and add more if desired)
- 1/4 cup vegan worcestershire sauce (found at Whole Foods or Amazon)
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cans great northern beans drained and rinsed
Instructions
- Add the ingredients under just veggies to a large skillet, bell pepper, onion, garlic, water and just 1/4 teaspoon salt. I used my 10 inch iron skillet. Turn to medium heat and once simmering, cook for 5 minutes until beginning to get tender and basically all the water should be gone.
- Preheat an oven to 325 degrees.
- Add the remaining ingredients except the beans....tomato sauce, other 1/4 cup water, syrup, liquid smoke, worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Stir well until thoroughly mixed. Now gently stir in the beans.
- Add the skillet to the oven and cook for about 30-45 minutes until it is bubbling and the sauce has thickened some, but still some liquid remaining. Remove and serve.
I just finished making the sauce. I have my dried beans cooking in the pressure cooker and will take them to our Easter gathering and cook them there. The sauce tastes wonderful so I feel confident this will be a hit! Should satisfy the vegans, vegetarians AND gluten free family members! Love when the recipes cover all three!
I can’t do this because of the sugar content. Please quit misleading your readers.
Is this for real? How exactly am I misleading readers?? I state this is refined sugar-free, which is a fact, maple syrup is a natural, not refined sugar. I’m not misleading anybody. I removed your 1 star also because you didn’t even make the recipe and the rating system is for people who actually make the recipe. It is unfair for you to leave a low rating just because you don’t like the ingredients used. Nowhere, ever have I called myself a sugar-free blog.
Good for you!
I agree, “Pure” maple syrup is not refined. There is no added sugar in it. Right now, we get our at Costco. There is a Canadian brand we love, but I can’t remember the name of it. My wife’s Canadian and SHE can’t remember either, lol. Her response was “I don’t know. I open it and I eat it.” LOL
I need to try this recipe. I saw your post within the last week, and I still have the link opened. Thanks for all you do, Brandi! 🙂
Haha too funny! Thank you so much Doug!
I can’t wait to try this recipe! I couldn’t find Great Northern beans and I’m wondering, would Cannellini beans make a good substitute?
Yes, that works!
This was such a good recipe; I made it for the first time a couple of years ago for a BBQ and I’ve made it about 10 times ever since. I keep coming back to this recipe!
So delicious, so easy, with ingredients we already had on hand! A new favorite – thank you!!!!💚
So happy to hear that Beth!!