Making Sweet and Savory Vegan Baked Beans in the Instant Pot

Jess Miller

Baked beans are one of those classic dishes that somehow make any meal feel more complete.

When they’re done right, they’re soft and saucy with just the right balance of sweet, smoky, and savory.

This version is totally vegan and cooked in the Instant Pot, which means no soaking, no baking, and barely any cleanup.

Whether you’re making them for a cookout, meal prep, or a cozy dinner at home, these beans come together easily and taste like they simmered all day.

Contents hide

1 Why You’ll Love These Instant Pot Baked Beans

2 Ingredients for Vegan Baked Beans

3 How to Make Vegan Baked Beans in the Instant Pot

3.1 1. Cook the Beans

3.2 2. Sauté the Onion and Garlic

3.3 3. Stir in the Sauce

3.4 4. Taste and Serve

4 Tips for the Best Vegan Baked Beans

5 Serving Ideas For Instant Pot Baked Beans

6 Storage Tips and Reheating Your Baked Beans

7 Final Thoughts

8 Making Sweet and Savory Vegan Baked Beans in the Instant Pot

8.1 Ingredients

8.2 Directions

Why You’ll Love These Instant Pot Baked Beans

These baked beans are made from scratch but feel just as easy as opening a can. The pressure cooker softens the beans perfectly, and the sauce is thick, rich, and packed with flavor.

You get a little sweetness from maple syrup, tang from mustard and vinegar, and just enough smoky spice to keep it interesting.

Serve them as a side or turn them into a meal with toast, rice, or roasted veggies.

Ingredients for Vegan Baked Beans

Here’s what you’ll need to make them:

1 cup dried navy beans (or great northern beans), rinsed and sorted
3 cups water or vegetable broth
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup tomato paste
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional: pinch of cayenne or hot sauce for heat

How to Make Vegan Baked Beans in the Instant Pot

1. Cook the Beans

Add the dried beans and water or broth to the Instant Pot. Secure the lid and cook on “Pressure Cook” for 25 minutes.

Let the pressure release naturally for at least 15 minutes before opening the lid. If the beans aren’t fully soft, cook for another 5 minutes under pressure.

2. Sauté the Onion and Garlic

Once the beans are cooked, drain most of the liquid, leaving about ½ cup in the pot. Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.

3. Stir in the Sauce

Add the tomato paste, maple syrup, mustard, vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together with the beans and let it simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken as it cooks.

4. Taste and Serve

Taste the beans and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add a little more maple syrup for sweetness or a splash of vinegar if you want more tang. Serve warm and enjoy.

Tips for the Best Vegan Baked Beans

Follow our tips to get the very best vegan baked beans every time:

Use navy or great northern beans: They’re the right size and texture for soaking up the sauce.
Don’t skip the simmer: Letting the sauce cook down gives it a deeper, richer flavor.
Adjust to taste: You can easily tweak the sweetness or spice depending on your preferences.
Make a double batch: These beans keep well and are even better the next day.

Serving Ideas For Instant Pot Baked Beans

These sweet and savory beans are incredibly versatile. Here are a few ways to serve them:

Piled on toast with a side salad
With roasted vegetables and baked tofu
Alongside vegan burgers at a cookout
Tucked into a grain bowl with greens and avocado
Simply on their own with crusty bread

Storage Tips and Reheating Your Baked Beans

These beans are great for meal prep and reheat beautifully:

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freeze: Cool completely and freeze in portions for up to 2 months.
Reheat: Warm on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce if needed.

Final Thoughts

Sweet and savory vegan baked beans are the kind of comfort food that works just as well on a weeknight as they do at a weekend gathering.

They’re easy to make, packed with flavor, and completely plant-based. With the Instant Pot doing most of the work, you get all the taste of slow-baked beans in a fraction of the time.

Once you’ve made them, don’t be surprised if they become part of your regular rotation.