Cheap baked beans will be tastier when you stir through 2 staple ingredients as they cook
Baked beans are a British household staple, and they can be made even tastier with two added ingredients.
The Express' Sophie Harris tests different baked beans
Baked beans have remained a beloved British staple for generations, enjoyed at breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are many brands of baked beans on the market, including Heinz, but supermarkets also offer their own-brand beans. While some people may prefer certain brands over others, some can really lack flavour and taste.
Luckily, there are two simple ingredients that can transform a basic tin of baked beans into a much more flavoursome meal. You probably already have them in your cupboard, but if not, they are super affordable in the supermarket.
Worcestershire sauce
A recipe from SimplyRecipes says that adding Worcestershire sauce “adds depth” to the baked beans, balancing the dish's sweetness.
But the condiment must be added to the baked beans while they are cooking, so it’s important to cook them on the stove.
Worcestershire sauce is an easy way to give the beans a richer, more savoury flavour without making it too complicated. Add about one teaspoon of the condiment to the beans as they warm in a saucepan, stirring well to ensure it is evenly distributed.
The sauce works particularly well because the beans already have a naturally sweet tomato sauce, so it helps to add a tang. You can add a little more if you prefer a stronger flavour, but it is best to start off with a small amount.
A bottle of Worcestershire sauce from Tesco is just £1.30, meaning this hack literally costs pennies. Plus, it can be used for a variety of other dishes, too. Some people even swear by adding the condiment to their spaghetti bolognese.
Black pepper
The second ingredient is something many people already use in the kitchen daily: black pepper. Adding a generous grinding of black pepper to baked beans can give them a subtle kick while enhancing their savoury flavour.
Unlike chilli, black pepper doesn’t make the beans particularly spicy, but it can stop them from tasting overly sweet or bland.
For the best results, add the black pepper while the beans are warming, then stir it through the sauce. You can then taste the beans before adding a little more if you prefer a stronger flavour.
The two ingredients work better when used together, with the Worcestershire sauce adding depth and the black pepper providing a little extra warmth.
Adding a small amount of butter can also make baked beans creamier, but if you prefer their tomato flavour, stick to Worcestershire sauce and black pepper
