Adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce to a tin of baked beans can make them considerably more delicious, according to chefs and home cooks. The cupboard staple helps offset the sweetness of the tomato sauce and adds richness and depth to the dish.
Chef-endorsed flavour boost
Stephanie Ganz from Simply Recipes said the straightforward condiment can help create "layers of flavour" in savoury dishes, particularly in baked beans. She added: "One of my go-to recipes for get-togethers and bringing them to friends' houses is a zhuzhed-up version of canned baked beans.
"I find that even bean haters (my kids) can enjoy sweet and savoury baked beans when they're served with a spread of meats and sides."
Stephanie continued: "Baked beans are among the easiest, always-on-hand recipes I rely on for a quick side dish. Worcestershire sauce gives my baked beans a certain je ne sais quoi that makes them sing."
Home cooks share their methods
The technique is favoured by numerous home cooks who have posted their advice to Reddit. One person said: "In a pan, butter, little bit of Worcestershire sauce, sprinkle of pepper."
Another user chipped in: "Can of baked beans on a stove, mix in a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, a tablespoon or two of ketchup, warm it up until it's just before bubbly." While someone else suggested: "Knob of butter, couple of splashes of Worcester sauce!"
Lea Perrins Worcestershire Sauce is available for £2.28 at Asda, while Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury's all stock their own-brand versions for £1.30.
How to make baked beans tastier
Ingredients
- Tin of baked beans
- Brown onion, chopped
- A couple of fresh garlic cloves, minced
- Two tbsp tomato ketchup
- Two tbsp brown sugar
- One tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
- Freshly ground black pepper
Method
In her recipe, Stephanie prepared the baked beans in a casserole dish, combining onion, garlic cloves, ketchup and brown sugar. Season with freshly ground black pepper and Worcestershire sauce before covering the dish with foil and baking in the oven for approximately 45 minutes at 180°C.
If you'd rather cook on the hob, begin by frying the onions in a deep pan before adding all the remaining ingredients. Leave to simmer for around 10 to 15 minutes. For a smokier depth of flavour, consider topping with bacon or stirring in some smoked paprika.
