A simple kitchen cupboard staple can transform tinned baked beans into a far more savoury and satisfying dish, according to cook Jenny Goycochea-Marker, founder of the food blog So Much Food.
Most tins of baked beans sold in the UK contain only a sweet tomato sauce with no extra seasoning, which can quickly become monotonous. Goycochea-Marker recommends adding Worcestershire sauce while the beans cook.
“This is the secret to really savoury beans! Worcestershire sauce adds tons of umami flavour and really dresses up canned baked beans,” she said.
Why Worcestershire Sauce Works
Baked beans often taste insipid because of their sweetness, which appeals to children but can leave adults uninspired. The acidity in Worcestershire sauce counterbalances the sugar in the tomato sauce while amplifying its smoky notes, resulting in a more sophisticated savoury flavour that pairs well with cheese or other toppings.
This is an inexpensive way to elevate the dish using ingredients most people already have at home, so no extra shopping trip is needed.
How to Make Better Baked Beans
For four servings, the recipe calls for two 400g cans of baked beans, one tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, and one tablespoon of Dijon mustard. Optional additions include three rashers of bacon, 110g of smoked sausages, half a chopped onion, 60ml of ketchup, 40ml of hot sauce, and 60g of dark brown sugar.
Place the beans in a large pot over low heat. Once they begin to bubble, stir in the Worcestershire sauce and bring to a gentle simmer. If using bacon, cook it in a frying pan over low heat until crispy, then transfer to the beans with a slotted spoon, leaving the fat in the pan. Brown the sausages in the same pan over medium heat, then add the onions and cook for two to three minutes until softened.
Stir in the ketchup, hot sauce, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar if desired. Although brown sugar may seem unconventional, it helps bring out the smoky flavours of the bacon and sausages. Add the onions and sausages to the beans and simmer for five more minutes. Alternatively, scatter the brown sugar over the top and finish the beans in the oven to caramelise the surface for a richer texture.
