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Bowl full of easy healthy baked beans
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Easy Healthy Baked Beans (Stovetop Recipe!)

These easy healthy baked beans are perfect for your next barbecue – or anytime! Lower in sugar than many other recipes and made super quick on the stovetop.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword easy baked beans, healthy baked beans
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 222kcal
Author Snacking in Sneakers

Ingredients

  • 4 slices hardwood smoked bacon, chopped into 1-inch pieces
  • ½ a large onion (or 1 small onion), chopped
  • 1 jalapeno pepper (or 1/2 habanero pepper), minced*
  • 3 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 cans northern beans, drained
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
  • 1 tsp Better than Bouillon vegetable broth base*
  • 1 cup water*

Instructions

  • Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and let cook for a minute or two, until some of the fat has been released. Add the onion and pepper and cook for another 3-4 minutes, until onion starts to get tender.
  • Add the tomato paste, beans, brown sugar, and maple syrup. Cook for 1 minute.
  • Add the teaspoon of vegetable base and the cup of water. Leave heat on medium and cook until most of the liquid has reduced, about 10 minutes. Enjoy!

Notes

Notes:
  • You can adjust the amount/type of pepper based on your preference for spiciness in your baked beans. I prefer sweeter, smokier baked beans, and these amounts don’t add much heat – just more a flavor balance.
  • I find Better than Bouillon vegetable base works extremely well in this recipe, but you can also simply substitute 1 cup of vegetable broth of your choice in exchange for the base and water.
 
Nutrition analysis (approximate per serving):
222 calories, 6 g fat, 2 g sat fat, 251 mg sodium, 33 g carbohydrate, 6 g fiber, 7.5 g sugar, 10.3 g protein, Vitamin A: 2%, Vitamin C: 7%, Calcium: 7%, Iron: 12%

Nutrition

Calories: 222kcal