Maple Onion Baked Beans

Perfectly sweet, smoky, and savory, Maple Onion Baked Beans are the ultimate comfort food with a refined twist. This hearty, plant-based dish combines tender navy beans with deeply caramelized yellow onions, a touch of smoked paprika, and a rich sauce made with maple syrup, molasses, and tomato paste. Slowly baked to perfection, these beans are infused with layers of flavor, thanks to the tang of apple cider vinegar and the umami of soy sauce. Ideal as a comforting side dish or a main course when paired with crusty bread, this recipe is a slow-cooker favorite that will have everyone asking for seconds. Plus, it’s vegan-friendly, naturally gluten-free, and packed with protein and fiber—perfect for cozy gatherings or nutritious weeknight meals.

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:195 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups dried navy beans
• 2 large yellow onion
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 0.5 cups maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the dried navy beans with cool water and place them in a large bowl. Cover with water, ensuring the beans are submerged by at least 2 inches. Soak the beans overnight or for at least 8 hours.

Step 2

Drain and rinse the soaked beans. Transfer them to a large pot. Cover with fresh water and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 60 minutes or until the beans are tender but not mushy. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).

Step 4

Thinly slice the yellow onions. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes or until deeply caramelized. Add minced garlic (finely chopped) and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

In a small bowl, mix the smoked paprika, ground mustard, and tomato paste. Add this mixture to the caramelized onions in the skillet and stir well to coat.

Step 6

In a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, add the cooked beans, caramelized onion mixture, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, molasses, vegetable broth, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until well combined.

Step 7

Cover the pot or Dutch oven with a lid or aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 2 hours, stirring once halfway through.

Step 8

Remove the lid and bake for an additional 30 minutes to thicken the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Step 9

Serve warm as a hearty side dish or enjoy it on its own with crusty bread.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1647.4 grams (1647.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2529

Total Fat 40.90g	52%
Saturated Fat 7.00g	35%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.80g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4673mg	203%
Total Carbohydrate 454.00g	165%
Dietary Fiber 76.00g	271%
Total Sugars 168.00g
Protein 106.90g	214%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 850mg	65%
Iron 28mg	153%
Potassium 8058mg	171%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 14.1%

Protein: 16.4%

Carbs: 69.5%