A damn near perfect and super-simple clone recipe of the infamous UK favorite - Heinz Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce.
A damn near perfect and super-simple clone recipe of the infamous UK favorite - Heinz Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce.
Whether part of a full English breakfast, a quick and easy lunch or snack, or an accompaniment to a British dinner, Heinz Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce are one of the most iconic foods you can find in the pantry of just about any house in the UK and other European countries. However, here in the US, depending on where you live, they can be difficult to find.
There are a few recipes to be found online, but they all seem to want to over-complicate this recipe by adding bizarre and unnecessary ingredients that we know for a fact aren't in Heinz Baked Beans (Worchester sauce? Chicken stock? ... WTF!?!?) and while they initially looked promising, they tend to be a more Americanized version of baked beans.
There are plenty of clues online as to what is in the original Heinz recipe; the most telling of which was to compare the ingredients of Heinz Ketchup (known as Tomato Sauce in the UK - another clue!) with the ingredients of Heinz Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce. Other than the beans, of course, they're almost identical.
So if you're a Brit in America (or outside of Europe) and have a craving for Beans on Toast, give this easy recipe a try. I think it's about as close to the real thing as you're ever going to find.
Recipe:
Add all ingredients except the beans and cornstarch mix to a medium-large saucepan. Bring to the boil stirring continuously.
Add about half the cornstarch slurry and continue to stir until the sauce thickens. Add more of the slurry, about a tablespoon at a time, and mix until the sauce reaches the consistency you like. It shouldn't be watery, but also shouldn't be thick and gloopy.
Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
Drain the beans and add to the sauce. Simmer for another 10 minutes, stirring gently but frequently so that the beans don't stick to the bottom of the pan, then serve.
Hi, do you think I could water bath can these? Not pressure can.
Thanks, let me know.
Hi Lynne,
I have no idea. I love to cook, but I’ve never canned anything in my life. Search Google for water batch canning forums; I’m sure there are plenty of people on those sites who would be able to advise you better than me. Sorry I couldn’t be more help.
Hey no problem. I water bath can a lot of fruits but have never tried beans!
I made the beans! The only thing different I did was add (2)cans of navy beans (15.5 oz each). Came out great! I will freeze the leftovers. Thanks again.
Great! Glad you liked them, Lynne!
Yes, this recipe does make a bit more sauce than needed for one can of beans (even though Heinz Baked Beans does have a lot of sauce compared to the amount of beans), but I though it was not enough for two cans, and scaling it down by a third or so made the measurements overly complicated, although I may tweak the recipe a little to suit.
I’d love to hear how well they freeze. I’ve never tried it as I was concerned the beans might become mushy when thawed.