Sweet & Sour Adzuki Beans

Sweet & Sour Adzuki Beans
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 70 minutes
Total Time: 85 minutes
Yield: 4
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: Japanese-inspired Fusion
Author: Chef Marlene Watson Tara
Date Published: June 25, 2026
Ingredients
3 cups cooked adzuki beans
2 tbsp tamari
2 tbsp ume plum seasoning or brown rice vinegar
¼ cup rice syrup
2 onions, small dice
1 cup dried adzuki beans, if cooking from dry
Piece of kombu, for soaking beans
Description
A simple sweet and sour adzuki bean dish baked with tamari, ume plum seasoning or brown rice vinegar, rice syrup, and onions. Serve with short-grain brown rice, sweet potato skewers, and steamed greens for a wholesome plant-based meal.
How-to? Steps
Step 1: Cook the beans from dry
If cooking from dry, soak 1 cup dried adzuki beans overnight with a piece of kombu. Discard the soaking water, place the beans in a pressure cooker, and cover with fresh water just enough to cover. Bring to full pressure and cook for 30 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally for about 30 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare to bake
Preheat the oven to 190°C/380°F.
Step 3: Mix
Mix the cooked beans, including cooking liquid if available, with tamari, ume plum seasoning or vinegar, rice syrup, and onions.
Step 4: Bake covered
Transfer to a baking dish, cover, and bake for 20 minutes.
Step 5: Finish baking
Remove the lid. If the beans look dry, add a little water and bake for another 10 minutes, until the onions and beans are soft.
Step 6: Serve
Serve with short-grain brown rice, sweet potato skewers, and steamed greens.
