English Breakfast-Style Baked Beans with Tomato and Herbs

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-08 · Updated 2026-05-08

Slow-simmered baked beans in a rich tomato sauce flavored with herbs, a classic British breakfast staple. This British-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, combines canned navy beans, drained and rinsed, olive oil, onion, finely chopped into a breakfast that fuels the morning without the midday crash — make-ahead-friendly and balanced enough to anchor the first meal of the day. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 4, so it sits comfortably in a weekly breakfast rotation alongside fruit, yogurt, or coffee. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 cups canned navy beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup tomato puree
• 1/4 cup tomato ketchup
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp mustard powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup water

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion and sauté for 5-6 minutes until translucent and soft.
2. Step 2: Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 1/2 cup tomato puree, 1/4 cup tomato ketchup, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp mustard powder, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomato mixture thickens slightly.
3. Step 3: Add 2 cups drained and rinsed canned navy beans and 1 cup water. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thick and flavors meld.
4. Step 4: Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, stir well, and serve warm as part of a traditional English breakfast or alongside toast.