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These Healthy Homemade Baked Beans, are a comforting side dish with a subtle smoky flavour. They are lower in salt and sugar than commercial canned baked beans, making them the perfect side dish for the whole family to enjoy.
To avoid any confusion, let me clarify that this recipe is loosely based on British-style Baked Beans, Heinz being the most famous brand, rather than the American-Style Baked Beans which have a darker, thicker and sweeter sauce and often have added foods such as bacon or sausage.
I do however say loosely based and as one reader said:
If you are trying to fool your kids (that these are Heinz baked beans) don't bother. On the other hand, if you want a really simple to make, much healthier, tastier, beany 'stuff' to put on toast or baked potatoes (or probably many other scenarios) then these are absolutely banging
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Ingredient Information (with Alternative Suggestions)
The full list of ingredients and amounts can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post. This section gives information on each ingredient and suggests alternatives if required.
- Olive Oil
- Garlic
- Passata: (Pureed and strained tomatoes.) Usually sold in tall glass bottles or cartons. It's 100% tomato and is a lot smoother than crushed tomatoes. You can find it in most supermarkets.
- Tomato Paste
- Smoked Paprika: Infuses a sweet, smoky essence into the beans, elevating the overall taste profile. Don't substitute it with paprika, it won't taste the same.
- Vegetable/Chicken Stock: Use homemade vegetable stock or very low salt stock if cooking for a baby / young child. You can also use chicken stock if you aren't vegetarian/vegan.
- Beans: Most commercial baked beans use haricot (navy) beans, which can be found canned or dried, depending on your location.
- Canned Navy beans are convenient as they don't require soaking and pre-cooking. In the UK, they are easily found in most supermarkets, but I've not found them in Australia.
- If canned navy beans aren't available, you can use dried one. These need to be soaked and cooked until soft before use.
- Navy beans can be substituted with Cannellini beans, which are meatier but look different from commercial baked beans. Pinto or kidney beans can also be used.
Step-by-Step Instructions (with Images)
This section features step-by-step photos for visual reference. The complete recipe can be found by scrolling to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Despite the name, this dish is not baked, instead, it is made on the stovetop. It is simple to prepare but does take around thirty minutes to cook.
- Soak and cook dried beans according to packaging (if using dried beans)
- Saute minced garlic in a little olive oil, over low heat, add smoked paprika and stir.
- Add the passata, tomato paste, stock and vinegar. Simmer the tomato sauce for around 20 minutes (until the sharp taste of the tomato is gone and the sauce has thickened
- Add the beans, Simmer for a further 10 mins, taste and season accordingly.
Top Tips
- Don't skimp on the cook time: Allow the sauce to simmer for at least 20 mins to create a rich tomato sauce and to reduce the acidity. At the start of cooking the sauce can taste quite sharp. However, after it simmers away for 20-30 mins the sharpness reduces, the sauce thickens and it tastes delicious.
- Taste and Season / Balance: If at the end of cooking you think the sauce still needs balancing, you can try adding a little sugar and salt, starting with a pinch at a time.
- Do not add salt or sugar if making for a baby/toddler, if you feel you would like to add a little sweetness try adding a little apple puree (apple sauce).
- Other ways to add sweetness is to sauté some chopped onion, celery and carrots. Puree them and add it to the sauce at the start of cooking.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate - Allow homemade baked beans to cool before transferring to a sturdy airtight container. Refrigerator for up to two days.
- Freeze - Cool to room temperature before freezing. Place into a sturdy airtight container (or several small containers.) Leave a bit of space at the top of the container to allow for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw in the refrigerator and re-heat on the stove top or microwave.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, these baked beans are suitable for babies from 6 months+, if they are developmentally ready for finger foods. However, there are some considerations:
Use homemade or very low sodium stock/broth.
If using dried beans, cook them until they are soft enough to easily smoosh between your thumb and forefinger.
If using canned beans, choose ones labeled "no salt added" or "low sodium" and rinse them before adding to the sauce.
Mash or flatten the beans when serving to reduce the risk of choking.
As with all foods make sure baby is sitting upright at the table and supervised at all times while eating.
Serve these beans like you would commercial baked beans. Why not try...
Beans on Toast
Side with fish goujons
Side with sausages and mash
Baked potato filling
Quesadilla filling
Omelette filling
More Bean Recipes
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Healthy Baked Beans
Ingredients
Dried Beans
- 200g (1 cup) Dried navy beans (small white beans)
Canned Beans
- 2 x 600g (10.5oz) Can Haricot (Navy) beans (drained weight 195g/ 6.8oz per can)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 3 teaspoon Garlic, minced
- 3 teaspoon Smoked paprika * See Notes
- 500g (2 cups) Passata
- 2 tablespoon Tomato paste
- 250ml (1 cup) Vegetable/Chicken Stock *See Notes
- 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Soak and cook dried beans according to the packaging. (skip this step if using canned beans)
- Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and allow to sizzle but be careful not to burn.
- Reduce heat to low, add the smoked paprika and stir.
- Add the passata, puree, stock and vinegar then simmer for around 20 mins (until the sharp taste of tomato has gone and the sauce has thickened.)
- Add the beans and simmer for a further 10 mins.
- Season to taste (SEE NOTES)
Suzie Cas
Brilliant recipe, loved it, thank you so much
Amy
Thanks for the 5 stars, Suzi. So happy you liked it 🙂
Sarah Alomar
Hi Amy,
I would love to try making this recipe this week.
I want to skip using the stock. Can you suggest if I need to substitute it with water instead or completely leave out and it’ll be ok?
Thanks,
Sarah
Amy
Hi Sarah, you can just miss it out. You may have to add some salt (if not making for a baby)
ryan
great recipe! i wanted sweetness though without adding sugar so cut up an onion and cooked that then added the garlic and and got the sweetness from the onions!
Amy
Great idea! Thanks for the feedback, Ryan 🙂
Kat
I’ve made this twice now for my son. I do a big batch and freeze in portions. He wasn’t sure at first but I persisted and now he loves these healthy baked beans!
Amy
Hi Kat, that is so good! Glad you persisted!
Dan dcornwall-jones
I am dieing to try this. I first saw a recipe when I lived in france. If I recall they suggested balancing over sweetness with a touch of vinegar.
Rosie
My husband and 20 year-old son think this recipe is sensational. I'm definitely including this as a family favourite recipe. Thank you. 🙂
Amy
Thanks Rosie 🙂
Amy
I can't wait to try this recipe! Do you think it would be suitable for freezing? I'll be using dried navy beans and because of the extra time required to make the recipe this way I was thinking of bulk batching it and freezing...
Amy
Hi Amy, yes you can freeze. Cool to room temperature before freezing. Place into a sturdy airtight container (or several small containers.) Leave a bit of space at the top of the container to allow for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months.
If using dried beans make sure to soak the beans and cook until soft beforehand.
Hope you enjoy 🙂
Andrew
Very good indeed
Amy
Thanks, Andrew!
Bonnie
Sounds like the cans called "pork and beans" in America.
Sarah
These were a huge hit with my 9 month old baby! Will definitely be making more!
Amy
Excellent! Thank you so much for taking the time to give feedback on so many recipes!
Alyssa
These beans are delicious - my toddler loves them! I always add some cooked, finely shredded carrot to the mix to add some veggies and sweetness! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Amy
I love the idea of adding some grated carrot - great for sweetness (and extra goodness). Glad your little one likes them and thanks for taking the time to comment 🙂
Mary
I’ve been looking for a simple healthy recipe. And your recipe fits the bill, Amy. (Passata is easy to make with a stick blender. And healthier than store bought)
Amy
Thanks Mary!
food delivery ballarat
Made for dinner tonight and it was super tasty! Thanks for sharing
Amy
Thank you, glad you liked it 🙂
Robyn
Your recipes look delicious and inspire healthy living. I am diabetic and was wondering if you could include he nutritional labels which would be very helpful. Thank you.
Amy
Thank you, Robyn. I have started adding nutritional labels to all my new recipes. I am also working my way through my old recipes. In the meantime, you can just punch in the ingredients to an online nutrition calculator.
Jennifer
Sorry, but I found that this didn't really taste like baked beans. Not bad tasting, just not like baked beans.
Amy
Hi Jennifer, glad you thought they tasted ok and the recipe wasn't a waste.
Catsco
I just rinse the sauce from tinned baked beans to remove most of the sugar, then quickly sauté with a little garlic and olive oil. Delicious with just a bit of sweetness.