Name: Korean BBQ Baked Beans
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 15.5-ounce can great northern beans (rinsed and drained); ½ cup Korean BBQ sauce; 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or brown sugar); 3 green onions (finely sliced)

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Korean-Style BBQ Baked Beans offer a delicious Asian twist to one of America’s classic comfort foods. Boasting sweet and savory flavors, this baked beans recipe is the perfect vegan side dish or appetizer to any meal that will please friends and family alike!

Close-up of Korean BBQ baked beans in a thick, reddish sauce garnished with chopped green onions and small pieces of chili, with a spoon partially submerged in the dish.

My family is absolutely obsessed with my Korean BBQ sauce recipe. We use it on practically anything we can get our hands on! And trust me, adding the sauce to the beans is probably one of its BEST uses. Beans absorb the sauce’s sweetness and smokiness so well, giving you a dish bursting with flavors. We can’t get enough of it. I hope you feel the same!

A bowl filled with Korean BBQ baked beans in a rich, red sauce, garnished with chopped green onions, with a spoon inside the bowl. A small bowl of additional chopped green onions is visible in the background.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

So easy to make.
Ready to serve in under an hour!
Very nutritious! Great Northern beans are excellent sources of protein, fiber, and various micronutrients.
Has a rich and deep flavor. It’s the perfect fusion of Korean and American cuisines.
You only need to use one dish to make this dish, so clean-up is a breeze.
Great way to use Korean BBQ sauce.
Can be customized according to your specific preferences.
Can be used as an appetizer or side dish.
Gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, and vegetarian. Perfect for those with dietary restrictions!

A close-up of a bowl filled with Korean BBQ baked beans in a rich, dark sauce, garnished with chopped green onions. A spoon is partially visible in the dish.

Ingredient Notes

Great Northern Beans: These medium-sized beans act as the base of our dish. They have a mild, nutty flavor and are great at absorbing liquids, making them perfect for making BBQ baked beans.
- You can also use a variety of beans, such as navy beans, pinto beans, butter beans, dried beans (soak for 8-12 hours first), or whatever you have since they have similar flavor profiles.

Homemade Korean BBQ Sauce: This barbecue sauce adds delicious flavors to the beans. My Korean BBQ sauce recipe takes about 5 minutes to create, so making both the sauce and dish within one hour is totally doable! If you don’t want to fuss with making your own, store-bought Korean BBQ sauce can be used instead.

Maple Syrup: Adds a bit of sweetness to balance out the flavors of the BBQ baked beans.
- You can use brown sugar or even molasses as a substitute if you’re out of maple syrup.

Green Onions: Act as a garnish to the dish while giving it extra color and flavor.

A close-up of Korean BBQ baked beans in a ceramic bowl, garnished with chopped green onions and mixed in a thick, reddish sauce.

How to Make Korean Barbecue Baked Beans

Close-up of a textured surface featuring white beans in a thick, reddish Korean BBQ sauce.

Close-up of Korean BBQ baked beans in a rich, reddish sauce.

A ceramic bowl filled with Korean BBQ baked beans in a thick sauce, with a stainless steel spoon resting inside. A small dish of chopped green onions is in the background.

Close-up of a bowl of Korean BBQ baked beans in a thick sauce, garnished with chopped green onions, with a metal spoon resting in the bowl.

Preheat the oven to 400℉.
In an 8 to 9-inch round or square baking dish, combine the beans, BBQ sauce, and maple syrup. Stir until well combined. You may season with a bit of salt and black pepper.
Cover the dish with foil or a lid and bake for 40 minutes or until thickened and bubbly.
Remove the dish from the oven, remove the foil or lid, then sprinkle it with the sliced green onions.
Serve and enjoy!

Expert Tips

If you want your beans to taste smokier, add some liquid smoke.
You can also add more aromatics like garlic and yellow onion.
If you want a bit of sweetness and added texture to the dish, you can add corn kernels.

A bowl filled with Korean BBQ baked beans topped with chopped green onions, with a side dish of sliced green onions in the background.

Serving Ideas

Served on top of cooked white rice or cauliflower rice.
Mixed with udon or soba noodles to create a delicious noodle dish.
Served alongside grilled or roasted vegetables like mushrooms, eggplants, or zucchini.
Topped with crispy air-fried tofu cubes
As a topping over delicious air-fried baked potatoes.
Spread over toasted vegan bread or pizza crust and topped with creamy vegan cheese.
As an omelet filling that can be eaten for breakfast.
As a stuffing for red or green bell peppers.
Eat it with potato salad.

A bowl of Korean BBQ baked beans garnished with chopped green onions, with a small bowl of additional green onions in the background.

Storing BBQ Baked Beans

It’s best to let the beans cool completely before keeping them. To keep them fresher longer, place the beans inside an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. When stored properly, they should last for up to five days in the fridge.

To reheat, either place the Korean BBQ baked beans in a pan on the stove over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes or pop a bowl of beans in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes.

Close-up of a bowl of Korean BBQ baked beans in a thick sauce, garnished with chopped green onions. A silver spoon is partially submerged in the beans.

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