Best Labor Day Side Dish, 3-Bean Baked Beans
Labor Day. That time of year that tells you ‘winter is coming!’ When the pools close for the season and summer comes to an end. Personally, I love it and know the cool evenings and snowboarding is around the corner (sorry summer folk). It’s a last hurrah, a 3-day weekend full of shopping sales and cookouts with friends and family, socially distant and with a mask of course! And its a reminder to put effort in a work/life balance.
Labor Day was first celebrated in the late 1800’s when many Americans worked 12+ hours a day, seven days a week. These were typically physical demanding jobs that paid very little. Although we’ve come a long way since then, it still feels like we have a way to go to ensure all humans are safe, happy and working to live, not living to work. It took me having 4 months of unemployment to remember that.
This year, the celebrations may be different, and I plan to spend time at home in a hammock with a book, taking a nap, picking from the garden, cooking for my husband & dogs, having a few cocktails, and listening to good music.
And in the spirit of this restful holiday in the kitchen or by the grill, I wanted to share one of my favorite vegan Labor Day side dishes that’s so easy to make ahead of time to make dinner time simple, so you can spend more time relaxing and less time cooking. This 3-bean baked bean recipe is incredible. I hope you try it.
Ingredients
2 cans butter beans, rinsed and drained
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
½ large onion, chopped
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup ketchup
2 tbs molasses
1 tbs white wine vinegar
1 tsp dry mustard½ tsp chili powder
Salt + pepper
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 ºF.
Sautee chopped onion and some salt & pepper in skillet until translucent, about 5-8 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
While onion is cooking, in a large bowl combine the beans, brown sugar, ketchup, molasses, white wine vinegar, dry mustard and chili powder.
Once onion has cooled, add to the bean mixture and combine everything. Add salt and pepper.
Bake for 1 hour, or until you have reached your desired thickness.
Top this dish with a veggie dog or a veggie burger and some homemade vinegar-based slaw – you can find my favorite version here – and you have yourself a happy, happy meal.
What will you be doing this Labor Day weekend? Whatever you plan, please stay safe and be sure to relax.
Peace & Love.
Nikki
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
Tag @thesunshinehustle on Instagram and hashtag #thesunshinehustle