Smoky Beans. Grilling Beans. Baked Beans. Call them what you will, but bring them to the table. They are a go-to centerpiece for summer BBQ feasts and cozy winter nights alike. They can be the star of a vegan based entrée (just skip the bacon), a side dish next to the cole slaw, or a topper for dogs, brats, rice, polenta and so much more. 

Most baked bean recipes call for lots of added sugar - sometimes two or three kinds! A popular brand of grilling beans has up to 20 g added sugar in just a 3/4 cup serving. Whoa!! But Halo+Cleaver has your back. Our Backyard Red BBQ Sauce has...guess how much added sugar? None. Zip. Zero. Zilch. Yup, that's right. We bring you loads of flavor without all that sugar, letting the smoky goodness shine through.  

How to Make the Best Baked Beans

Many baked bean recipes call for several hours in the oven to let all that sugar melt and to meld all the flavors. With Halo+Cleaver Backyard Red BBQ Sauce, we took care of all that cooking time for you. By using canned beans and a quality BBQ sauce, all you need to do is chop an onion and a jalapeno, then dump and stir. It's ready to eat quickly since most ingredients are fully cooked, but it will benefit from a bit of simmering time on the stove. Go on and prep the rest of your spread, giving the beans an occasional stir. Letting the liquids reduce makes the beans creamier. 

We love it with bacon, but have provided information on how to keep it plant based. Which ever way you go, you will love the rich depth of flavor from the smokiness of our Red BBQ. It adds loads of complexity and will make a dish that feels like you slaved all day. 

Serve with Your Favorite Toppings

It's fun to serve with a condiment station of your favorite toppings: bacon, if you chose, chopped jalapeños, chopped scallions and sprigs of cilantro. We won't judge if you add cheese or sour cream, but that's just icing on the cake. With or without, it's a one pot wonder. Make a double batch and stash some in the freezer for a future feast.

Smoky, Saucy, Low Sugar Cowboy Beans

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Category

sides, mains

Servings

10

Prep Time

5 minutes

Cook Time

70 minutes

Calories

250

Author:

Halo+Cleaver Kitchen

This easy, tasty stovetop version of smoky Baked Beans will soon be a household favorite. And you can feel great serving it. Unlike most Baked Bean recipes, it is not loaded with added sugar but still delivers a complex, rich and robust dish.

Ingredients

• 4 strips of bacon, chopped (plant-based option: see note below)

• 1/2 medium yellow onion, peeled and diced, about 1 1/2 cups

• 1 medium jalapeño, seeded and ribs removed, minced

• 1 teaspoon sea salt

• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes and their juices

• 1 cup Halo+Cleaver Backyard Red BBQ Sauce

• 1 cup vegetable broth

• 2 15-ounce cans of dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

• 15-ounce can of black beans, rinsed and drained

• 15-ounce can of cannellini beans, rinsed and drained 

• Sliced scallions, chopped cilantro, as garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Add bacon to a medium stockpot, until brown and crispy, over medium-high heat, about 8 – 10 minutes. Remove bacon bits to a paper towel to drain and reserve for garnish. Drain the fat and reserve 1 Tablespoon. Or for a healthier version, substitute with 1 Tablespoon olive oil. 

2. Using the 1 Tablespoon of reserved bacon fat or substituted olive oil, add the onions, jalapeño, salt and red pepper flakes, and cook over medium heat for 6-8 minutes, until golden.

3. Add the diced tomatoes and their juices, the Halo + Cleaver Backyard Red BBQ Sauce, vegetable broth, dark red kidney beans, black beans and cannellini beans and stir well.

4. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has reduced and thickened.

5. When ready to serve, top with the crispy bacon bits, if using.

Recipe Note

Serves: 10 as a side; 6 as an entrée.

To make this plant-based: eliminate the bacon and start with step 2, substituting 1 Tablespoon olive oil for the bacon fat.

Garnish Suggestions: Top with the crispy bacon bits, if using, sliced scallions and chopped cilantro. 

Serving Suggestions: Serve on top of rice or polenta/grits, or alongside a burger, dogs, or brats - veggie or otherwise.

Nutrition

Calories 250, Fat 5 grams, Carbs 37 grams, Fiber 10 grams, Sugar 5 grams, Protein 14 grams