Are Baked Beans A Vegetable

Are Baked Beans a Vegetable?

The Great Baked Bean Debate

You and your family are gathered at the table on a crisp fall day. The dinner conversation flows as you help your youngest pass the mashed potatoes. You all look at your plates, and someone remarks about the delicious baked beans you’ve prepared. Your uncle, who has always taken great knowledge in nutrition, scoffs at the thought of baked beans being on a healthy dinner plate.

“Don’t get me wrong, they are delicious, but baked beans are not a vegetable,” he says, taking another bite of his steak.

You’ve never thought of it that way before. Baked beans have always been a staple in your family’s diet. Growing up, your mother would always tell you to finish your vegetables, and she would regularly serve you baked beans. So, are baked beans a vegetable?

The Answer: No

Based on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), baked beans are not a vegetable, but rather a type of legume. Legumes are a group of plants, including beans, lentils, and peas, which share a unique characteristic of producing edible seeds within pods.

Vegetables, on the other hand, are defined as plant parts, such as leaves, stems, roots, or flowers, that are consumed for their nutritional value. Therefore, baked beans do not fit into the USDA’s definition of a vegetable.