Baked beans

Beans (usually navy or pinto) slow-cooked in a sweet-savory tomato or molasses sauce, sold canned and ready to eat straight from the pot or dressed up on the grill.

Baked beans

Used for

  • barbecue sides
  • cookouts
  • toast (British-style)
  • casseroles

In the kitchen

  • heat gently on the stove or in the oven
  • doctor with extra molasses, mustard, or bacon
  • bake uncovered to thicken the sauce

Picking it at the store

  • Brands vary hugely in sweetness — check the label if you're serving alongside something already sweet like glazed ham
  • Vegetarian versions skip the pork/bacon fat some traditional recipes use — check the label if that matters

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