Description

A wholesome and hearty recipe for healthy baked beans that combines tender haricot beans with a rich tomato and date sauce, offering a naturally sweet and savory flavor profile. Perfectly served over fluffy baked jacket potatoes, this dish is both comforting and nutritious, making it an ideal choice for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce Ingredients

1 tsp rapeseed oil
1 large onion (185g), finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely grated
500g passata
3 pitted dates (about 15g), roughly chopped
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tsp bouillon powder
1 bay leaf

Beans and Potatoes

3 x 400g cans haricot beans, drained
4 medium cooked jacket potatoes

Instructions

Prepare the onion: Heat the rapeseed oil in a non-stick saucepan over low heat and fry the finely chopped onion for 5 minutes until golden brown. Add a small splash of water if the onion begins to stick or burn to ensure even cooking.
Add garlic and sauce base: Stir in the finely grated garlic cloves, then pour in the passata, add the roughly chopped dates, balsamic vinegar, bouillon powder, and bay leaf. Season with freshly ground black pepper. Let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Incorporate beans and simmer: Add the drained haricot beans and 400ml of water to the saucepan. Simmer the beans in the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mixture thickens to a rich, hearty consistency.
Freeze or serve: To freeze, allow the beans to cool completely before dividing into freezer bags and storing for up to three months. When ready to eat, defrost thoroughly overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in a pan until piping hot. Serve the warm baked beans over cooked jacket potatoes for a delicious and nutritious meal.

Notes

Add a splash of water during frying to prevent the onion from burning and ensure soft texture.
Use pitted dates to naturally sweeten the sauce and balance acidity.
Adjust seasoning by adding more bouillon or pepper to taste.
Can be stored in the freezer for up to three months, making it a convenient make-ahead meal.
Reheat thoroughly to ensure safe consumption after freezing.
This recipe pairs perfectly with baked jacket potatoes but can also be served with rice or bread.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: British

Keywords: healthy baked beans, vegetarian beans recipe, easy baked beans, haricot beans recipe, jacket potatoes, wholesome dinner