Indulge guilt-free with this hearty and wholesome recipe for Sugar-Free Boston Baked Beans, a delicious twist on the classic dish that's perfect for health-conscious food lovers. Packed with earthy dried navy beans simmered to perfection in a smoky, sweet-tangy sauce crafted from tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, and liquid smoke—without a trace of refined sugar—this recipe offers bold, authentic flavors while keeping it light. Slow-cooked for hours to achieve tender beans bathed in a rich, thickened sauce, these baked beans are a perfect addition to your meal, whether as a savory side or a satisfying vegetarian main dish. With just a few pantry staples and spices like smoked paprika and dry mustard, you’ll love how easy and heartwarming this dish is to make. Ideal for family gatherings and cozy dinners, it’s a healthy take on comfort food you won’t want to miss!
Rinse and sort the dried navy beans, removing any debris or damaged beans.
In a large pot, place the beans and cover with 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil for 2 minutes, then remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 1 hour.
Drain and rinse the soaked beans, then return them to the pot. Add 6 cups of fresh water and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
In a slow cooker, combine the chopped onion, smoked paprika, dry mustard, apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, liquid smoke, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and bay leaf.
Add the simmering beans along with the cooking water to the slow cooker with the sauce mixture. Stir well to combine.
Cover and cook on low heat for 4 to 5 hours, or until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally and add a bit more water if necessary to prevent the beans from drying out.
Discard the bay leaf before serving. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
Serve hot as a side dish or a light main course.
Calories |
1679 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 8.7 g | 11% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.6 g | 8% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2479 mg | 108% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 306.8 g | 112% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 77.1 g | 275% | |
| Total Sugars | 22.7 g | ||
| Protein | 107.0 g | 214% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 841 mg | 65% | |
| Iron | 27.2 mg | 151% | |
| Potassium | 7303 mg | 155% | |
*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.