Vegan Bean Hotdish

Last Updated on February 27, 2022

This is a veganized version of the bean hotdish, The Vegan Bean Hotdish.

If you grew up in Minnesota, then you probably have had this, must have, bean hotdish, at many family gatherings.

It uses simple ingredients, can be cooked in one pot, and served as a side to anything.

Oh how I remember the smell of this cooking in the slow cooker.

That sweet and savory smell of the beans and onions.

This hotdish reminds me of the fun family reunions during the summer.

I always looked forward to seeing my extended family as well as a good bean hotdish.

But of course back then the hotdish was not a vegan hotdish.

And because I was missing the smells and taste of this Minnesota favorite of mine, I had to find a way to make a vegan version of this same bean hotdish.

And I must say, it is exactly how I remembered it!

The same great taste with out the meat.

Ingredients needed for this bean hotdish

• Onion – The onion gives this hotdish a little salty, earthy, and a hint of sweet taste. I personally like to use a sweet onion for this dish, such as a shallot or a yellow onion. I do recommend that you saute the onion for this hotdish, this helps to bring out a sweetness and will give the onion a milder flavor. Don’t have a fresh onion? A onion powder will work as well.
• Oil – A olive oil is used to saute the fresh onion.
• Salt – Salt is needed to cut the sweetness in this dish.
• Mustard – I used a yellow mustard in this recipe, but you can try your favorite mustard. I love the extra tang this gives the beans.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – Vinegar helps to brighten the hotdish, it gives the dish a tang while improving the taste.
• Ketchup – Ketchup gives this dish a little sweetness with just the right amount of a tomatoey flavor.
• Real Maple Syrup – Maple syrup is another flavor enhancer, giving this dish a little of a smokey, sweet, and caramel flavor. Don’t have maple syrup, try brown sugar, it to has a similar flavor, and will work just as well.
• Beans – Baked beans, kidney beans, butter beans, green beans, and lima beans are all the beans that make up this bean hotdish. I personally do not add lima beans to my dish, this is optional.
• Meat alternative – I do not add a meat alternative to my dish, it taste better with out this, but this is an option.

How to make this Vegan Bean Hotdish

Clean and diced the onion and add to a medium sized skillet with the olive oil.

Saute the onion for about 7 minutes, but if adding the meat alternative follow the package instructions. Once done, add to the slow cooker. NOTE: I do not use any meat alternatives in my hotdish.

In a small mixing bowl, mix together salt, mustard, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, real maple syrup and set aside.

Drain and rinsed the kidney, butter, and lima beans, add to your slow cooker.

Pour the small bowl of ingredients into the slow cooker.

Lastly you will add your green beans (do not drain) and the vegetarian baked beans to the slow cooker.

Mix everything together in your slow cooker and let it cook on low for 2 hours, stir often.

Don’t have the time to cook these hotdish in a slow cooker? You can make this on the stove, it will take less time.

But I personally like the slow cooker, the flavor blends better.

Serve this Minnesota favorite, the Vegan Bean Hotdish as a side dish or on a bed of rice, on a slice of buttered bread or toast.

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