No summertime spread is complete without a pot of baked beans. Tender beans slow-cooked in a sweet and smoky sauce pair perfectly with mains from the grill. The trouble is, many baked bean recipes focus on the bacon rather than the beans. Luckily, if you’re serving guests who abstain from pork, or are simply trying to entertain on a budget, there’s a way to serve the classic side without adding any meat at all. By making a few smart pantry picks, it’s simple to turn humble canned beans into the classic potluck side dish. Here’s how to do it.
How to Replace Bacon in Baked Beans
Baked bean recipes often rely on bacon for their savory, smoky flavor. In order to make vegetarian baked beans that don’t sacrifice on flavor, start by sautéing a diced yellow onion until it starts to brown. Here, the caramelization adds a rich depth of flavor that raw onion or onion powder cannot replicate. For even more savory flavor, add a splash of soy sauce or tamari—just make sure to choose the low-sodium version, so that you have more control over the level of salt. Lastly, bittersweet molasses and smoked paprika provide that smoky flavor.
