11 Tasty Ways To Upgrade Your Canned Baked Beans

On their own, straight out of the can, unassuming baked beans don't steal the show. The trusty supporting act to grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, and other summer picnic and cookout delights, baked beans rarely take center stage or win any awards. When they're given the star treatment, however, they may take top billing at your next backyard barbecue. Homemade baked beans typically consist of parboiled white beans that are then baked in a tomato-based sauce containing seasonings and other flavor-enhancing elements, such as sugar or bacon. The ready-to-heat canned version typically contains beans that have been blanched and then combined with a sauce. 

Although basic beans are tasty enough to eat on their own, you can take the flavor up a notch (or 10) by adding other mouthwatering ingredients. Upgrading canned baked beans will make them taste as though you spent all day in the kitchen, but with minimal effort. Here is a list of delicious foods to consider adding to your next batch of baked beans, as they each will enhance the smoky, slightly tangy, and subtly sweet flavor profile of the canned legumes. Just don't be surprised if your party guests ask you for the recipe. 

Many types of canned baked beans already contain a hint of smokiness, either from small pieces of bacon or spices like smoked paprika, so why not enhance that flavor even more? Adding more bacon, whether it's cut into small cubes or substantial slices, will make even the wimpiest pot of baked beans almost main-course-worthy. As a side dish, bacon-infused baked beans make the ideal accompaniment to other smoky dishes such as pulled pork, grilled chicken, and BBQ ribs. The bold flavors will blend well, resulting in a Southern-style feast that pairs perfectly with a glass or two of sweet tea. 

Although you can use regular bacon in this dish, consider fattening up your baked beans with thick cuts of the smoked pork. The meaty flavor and texture will add depth and complexity to a simple pot of baked beans, bringing your friends and family back for second helpings. Be sure to thoroughly cook the bacon first — either in your oven, a frying pan, or a microwave — before stirring it into the beans. Other ingredients that will complement the bacon include garlic, onion, and a touch of honey or molasses for an irresistible smoky and sweet flavor combination.  

If mild baked beans aren't your thing, give them a spicy kick with a variety of seasonings. Adding spicy ingredients to a can of pre-made baked beans will turn up the heat and flavor intensity. Fiery additions give the typically mellow-tasting bean dish a tongue-tingling twist that will pair well with everything from grilled hamburgers to fried chicken. A spoonful of harissa or a dash of peppery powder can add depth, while chopped onions and garlic sautéed with chili flakes lend a savory punch. Want layers of flavor? Splash in a bit of bourbon or apple cider vinegar for contrast, and top it all off with a crumble of spicy sausage or crispy bacon for texture. Suddenly, baked beans go from humble to unforgettable. 

When it comes to spicing up the beans, you have several different options. On the easier side, you can add a few sprinkles of dried cayenne pepper or chili powder, or a dash of blazing hot red pepper flakes. For a fresher take, dice or mince up a jalapeño pepper and incorporate it into the baked beans. Just make sure to remove the seeds from the pepper if you don't want your beans super spicy, as they pack the biggest heat punch. Spice lovers may find it beneficial to add the spiciest jalapeños to their baked beans.

If you're looking for one ingredient to elevate your baked beans from basic fare to gourmet grub instantly, reach for your bottle of Worcestershire sauce. The savory, umami-rich sauce contains a delicious blend of anchovies, tangy vinegar, tamarind, rich and sweet molasses, and a variety of spices for a one-of-a-kind flavor profile. Worcestershire sauce will add depth to simple baked beans, with its saltiness perfectly contrasting and complementing the sweetness. 

While your beans are simmering on the stove, or before you pop them into the oven to heat up, add a few splashes of the sauce to create a more complex taste. The salty bite of the Worcestershire sauce will cut through the sweetness of the other ingredients, such as ketchup and brown sugar, if you include them in your recipe. Be sure to pick a good brand of Worcestershire sauce for the best results. 

The unexpected saucy addition will also blend well with a variety of other ingredients to upgrade your baked beans, whether you're serving them at a fancy dinner party or a casual backyard barbecue. Maple syrup or molasses bring sweetness to the mix, while dry or Dijon mustard will help balance out the sauce's saltiness. Other complementary ingredient ideas include smoky paprika or bacon, caramelized sautéed onions, and apple cider vinegar for brightness.

Another surprisingly delicious ingredient that you can use to upgrade your baked beans is canned pineapple. The slightly sweet, slightly tart fruit will give the smoky beans an unexpected brightness, subtly balancing out the other flavors. The earthiness of the baked beans will play well with the pineapple's tanginess, working in unison with other ingredients such as salty bacon and even sweet molasses or maple syrup. Pineapple also complements spicy elements, including cayenne or chili powder, as well as jalapeños and red pepper flakes. Pineapple and pepper create a bold flavor combination that will make your baked beans irresistible in the best way possible. 

When giving baked beans a sweet upgrade with pineapple, you'll have the option of choosing it in crushed, tidbit, or chunk form, depending on if you want the fruit to blend seamlessly into the dish or offer more of a juicy bite. Unless you want to add even more sweetness to your baked beans, go with pineapple packed in juice rather than syrup. Other types of fruit that may work well in the bean dish include tangy cherries, sweet peaches, and even blueberries, when they've been cooked down. During the autumn months, consider upgrading baked beans with diced apples or pears.

Spice up your baked beans with flavorful Spanish chorizo, a type of sausage that's infused with the flavors of garlic, smoky paprika, chile peppers, and dried herbs. Chorizo sausage originates in the Iberian Peninsula, and takes several different forms and flavors throughout Latin America. It's important to use Spanish chorizo rather than Mexican in this recipe, as it's either pre-cooked or smoked and ready to heat and eat, instead of raw. Spanish chorizo is typically made of pork, but can also contain beef, depending on the type you purchase. When combined with tangy and sweet baked beans, the spicy, full-flavored sausage will add a rich depth of flavor, making the dish uniquely your own. 

While other types of pork products, including bacon and the more gourmet prosciutto, are often added to baked beans, Spanish chorizo will give the dish a flavorful twist. Before adding the chorizo to the baked beans, you'll need to remove the casing that generally surrounds the sausage. For the best taste, fry bite-sized pieces of chorizo in oil prior to adding it to the beans, adding the rendered fat to the earthy beans for extra flavor and richness. A splash of sherry vinegar (which you should always keep in your pantry) and a handful of chopped, fresh herbs such as thyme and parsley will complete the dish. 

Earthy and slightly sweet, caramelized onions instantly upgrade any dish they're added to, and baked beans are no exception. As they slowly cook down in a pan, sliced onions release their natural sweetness and turn a rich brown color. When fried in a high-quality oil such as olive oil, sugar is pulled from the onions and forms a caramel-like coating. 

The trick is to cook the onion slices for a long time, even up to an hour, over low heat. If you're in a hurry, you can speed up the process by covering the onions with a lid for 15 minutes to slightly steam them before the caramelization occurs. Turning up the heat and adding ½ cup of water to the pan will also help the onions to caramelize faster. Once the onions are soft and sweet, you can add them to your baked beans for a tasty treat. The tender strands will contribute a velvety mouthfeel, as well as naturally thicken the tangy tomato sauce. 

In addition to providing sweetness, the caramelized onions will introduce a bit of umami to the bean dish, making it crave-worthy. You can also give the baked beans a French onion soup-inspired twist by serving them in individual crocks topped with croutons or mini toasts and broiled cheese. If you want to go a more traditional route, enhance your canned baked beans with a bit of ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar along with the caramelized onions.

Looking for a way to give your canned baked beans a mouthwatering twist that your cookout guests won't expect? Sweet meets sour when you swirl a bit of golden honey and Dijon mustard into your side dish, upgrading it from boring to gourmet in a matter of minutes. The delicious duo blends beautifully with the ingredients in the canned beans, playing off the other bold flavors. Sticky and decadent honey lends a mellow richness to the dish, while Dijon mustard gives it a lively "zing" without overpowering any other tangy ingredients, such as vinegar or tomato sauce. The result is a balanced combination of sweet, salty, smoky, and sour. 

Perhaps the best part about this baked beans upgrade is that you most likely already have the ingredients in your pantry or refrigerator. You can also add other contrasting elements, including sautéed onions and Worcestershire sauce. All of the flavors will meld together and taste as if you spent hours in the kitchen rather than just minutes opening a can and adding a few ingredients. Finish the honey mustard-infused baked beans with a topping of crispy shallots and fresh thyme as a gourmet touch. 

Canned baked beans get all grown up when you hit them with a bit of bourbon. Infused with the complex flavors of rich vanilla, deep caramel, and woodsy oak, a good bourbon is just what the basic side dish needs to be elevated to the next level of flavor. These boozy beans will up the "wow" factor at any picnic, and will pair perfectly with any type of grilled meat, including pork chops, chicken, and steak. Although just the bourbon alone is enough to upgrade a lowly can of baked beans, why stop there? Add even more depth of flavor with a splash of apple cider vinegar, a sprinkle of red chili flakes, or a swirl of honey. 

As one idea, cook onions and bacon in a frying pan, and then use up to ½ cup of bourbon to deglaze the bottom, allowing all of the flavors to meld together. Be sure your burner is set to "low" heat before you slowly add the bourbon, as alcohol vapors are flammable. Keep a lid nearby in case of flames. Next, add the canned baked beans, and simmer the mixture for several minutes. You can also transfer the ingredients to an oven-safe dish and bake until it's bubbling around the edges. Other ingredients that will work well with the bourbon, bacon, and sautéed onion include garlic, liquid smoke or barbecue sauce, molasses, brown sugar, and smoked paprika. If you opt to go the non-alcoholic route, you can substitute with bourbon extract. 

When you think of canned baked beans, fresh vegetables may not come to mind, but green bell pepper adds not only flavor but a vibrant color to the dish. More sweet than spicy, green peppers are the ideal flavor enhancer for baked beans and take only minutes to prepare. Green pepper's mild bite mixes and mingles perfectly with baked beans' sweet and smoky notes. The crunchy vegetables will also give the canned side dish a garden-fresh taste, which is ideal for summertime dinner parties. The vibrant green color will liven up the boring brown beans, making the dish look more appealing when placed on the picnic table. The taste of green peppers will also cut through the saltiness and thick consistency of the beans. 

In true Southern style, you can also chop up a bit of onion along with the green pepper and sauté the vegetables together before adding them to the beans. If you plan on baking the beans to allow all of the flavors to blend, you can skip sautéing the chopped produce as they'll soften in the oven. Experiment by adding other complementary ingredients such as smoked paprika, dry mustard, and maple syrup. If you want to give the baked beans an extra layer of smokiness, squeeze in a bit of your favorite bottled BBQ sauce. 

While a good can of baked beans may be delicious on its own, adding thick, rich maple syrup to the dish makes it swoon-worthy. Creating the baked beans of your dreams is as easy as swirling in a bit of the sticky-sweet stuff during the heating process. Most canned baked beans already have a touch of sweetness from the addition of sugar; natural maple syrup will add a depth of flavor that goes beyond that. The key is using the highest quality maple syrup you can get your hands on. In a pinch, you can also substitute agave syrup, honey, or even molasses. If you want your beans even sweeter, go the extra mile with dark brown sugar. 

Before heating the canned baked beans in your oven or on the stovetop, add your desired amount of maple syrup, adjusting to accommodate your preferred level of sweetness. If you accidentally add too much syrup, you can counteract the sugar overload with a splash of apple cider vinegar or even some dry or Dijon mustard. Jazz the canned beans up even more with BBQ sauce, salt and pepper, onion and garlic, or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick. Top the maple syrup-infused baked beans with crispy, crumbled bacon to finish. 

The fastest and easiest way to upgrade baked beans from a side dish to a complete meal is with the addition of lean ground beef. The meaty ingredient will bulk up a wimpy can of baked beans while also infusing it with rich flavor and plenty of texture. The hearty dish is similar to chili in that it has layers of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors, as well as the heartiness of the hamburger. You can even give the side-dish-turned-main-course a touch of freshness with sautéed green bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Want the baked beans to have the spicy kick of a bowl of chili as well? Sprinkle in a dash of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes, or add some chopped jalapeño pepper. 

For an even meatier pot of baked beans, consider adding bacon, too. To help cut some of that richness, hit the baked beans with a splash of white or apple cider vinegar, or even Worcestershire sauce. Ketchup and Dijon mustard will add tanginess, while brown sugar or honey provides just the right amount of sweetness to this substantial dish.