30 Minute, Breakfast, Recipes

Smoky Beans on Toast

Inspired by British beans on toast, our 20 minute Smoky Beans on Toast is a healthy weeknight meal idea. Just 12 ingredients for this easy vegan recipe. 

We are always looking for quick and easy vegan recipe ideas that we can be made in just 20 minutes. This homemade, Smoky Beans on Toast recipe is just what we needed. A versatile recipe that can be enjoy anytime of day; breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Inspired by a British classic, this Beans on Toast recipe is our version of a tasty meal.

For this recipe, we stewed white beans in a flavourful tomato sauce with some onions, garlic and chopped kale. Then we topped our mixture on toasted sourdough bread that we brushed with some oil and rubbed with a garlic clove.

But are beans on toast good? Yes, yes, and more yes! This classic British recipe is absolutely delicious and we encourage you to try it. However, our version of this classic is far from authentic. Keep reading to learn why.

What is beans on toast?

From our research, we found that the classic recipe uses canned beans (in particular Heinz Beans with Tomato Sauce) heated in a saucepan on the stove and served over some buttered toast. It’s often eaten during breakfast, and a common college food. We learned that some people add mustard or HP sauce, some melt cheese on top, and that a traditional English fry-up is not complete with it on the side.

Our version is a homemade, from scratch version using white kidney beans and other simple ingredients. We definitely wouldn’t call this recipe authentic British baked beans, but do hope you enjoy our take on a classic.

Top tips for making our Smoky Beans on Toast:

  • Keep it simple and flavourful. Keep the ingredient list short, but flavourful with items that pack a punch like garlic, onion, san marzano tomatoes and liquid smoke.
  • Use san marzano tomatoes for extra flavour. While san marzano tomatoes are not British by any means, they definitely add a delicious punch of flavour to this Smoky beans on Toast recipe.
  • Use a crusty, bakery bread. You can use store-bought white bread, but for this recipe we highly recommend a crusty bakery bread like sourdough, rye or a whole wheat. If you’re able, support your local bakery with a purchase.

Smoky Beans on Toast FAQ:

What type of beans are best for beans on toast?

We like using white beans for recipes like this. Beans like white kidney or navy beans are our top go-to varieties. However you can use whatever bean that you want, just be sure to adjust cook times depending on the size of your bean.

Do leftover stewed beans store well?

Yes! We’ve actually made this recipe as a great meal prep option. We allowed the stewed beans to cool completely and stored in an air-tight container in the fridge. When ready to enjoy again, reheating in the microwave or on the stovetop works well.

How to make Vegan Smoky Beans on Toast: 

Smoky Beans on Toast

Inspired by British beans on toast, our 20 minute Smoky Beans on Toast is a healthy weeknight meal idea. Just 12 ingredients for this easy vegan recipe. 
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Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: British
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

Smoky Beans

  • 5 mL (1 tsp) olive oil
  • 140 g (¼) white onion, sliced
  • 9 g (2 cloves) garlic, minced
  • 2 g (1 tsp) smoked paprika
  • mL (½ tsp) liquid smoke
  • 300 mL (⅓ can) san marzano tomatoes
  • 1 can white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 36 g (1 cup) chopped kale
  • salt & pepper, to taste

Garlic Toast

  • 4 slices thick cut bread
  • 10 mL (2 tsp) olive oil
  • 9 g (2 cloves) garlic

Optional Topping

  • fresh parsley, for topping

Instructions

To make stewed smoky beans:

  • To a pan over medium heat add oil and heat for 30 seconds.
  • Add onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened, then add minced garlic, smoked paprika, and liquid smoke and cook another minute.
  • Add in the san marzano tomatoes and cook for about 5 minutes, until the tomato breaks up. Add in kidney beans and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Stir in kale and cook until wilted.
  • Season with salt and pepper.

To make garlic toast:

  • Toast bread until golden.
  • Cut garlic cloves in half, on the diagonal, with the skin on. Brush toast with olive oil and rub with cut end of the garlic clove.

To make Smoky Beans on Toast:

  • Top garlic toast with beans, sprinkle with parsley (optional) and enjoy.

Video

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