Make classic British baked beans at home with this easy homemade baked beans recipe. Serve them with fluffy jacket potatoes, corned beef hash, or as part of a full English breakfast.
These good old-fashioned baked beans are a pantry favourite in many British homes. This easy recipe is a tasty copycat of Heinz baked beans, but with less salt and sugar and a fresher homemade flavour.
Cheap, frugal and comforting, baked beans are perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner. While tinned beans are handy, this recipe is worth the small extra effort — the sauce is fresher and you can control the sweetness and seasoning.
✔️ Why you’ll love this recipe!
Highlights of this homemade baked beans recipe:
- Tasty copycat of Heinz baked beans with a homemade touch.
- True comfort food that’s simple to make.
- Budget-friendly and filling.
- Lower in salt and sugar than many commercial tins.
- Versatile — serve for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
- Easy to double for a crowd and freezer-friendly.
🛒 Ingredient notes
- Beans – two drained tins of haricot (navy) beans or any small white beans. Cannellini or butter beans can be used but will change the texture.
- Onion – finely chopped red onion adds sweetness and colour.
- Garlic – one clove, peeled and finely chopped.
- Olive oil – for softening the onion and garlic.
- Seasonings – salt, pepper, sugar (white or brown), smoked paprika, dried oregano and Worcestershire sauce for depth.
- Passata – creates a smooth tomato sauce; use chopped tomatoes for a chunkier finish.
- Parsley – finely chopped, optional for garnish.
🔪 How to make baked beans from scratch
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and the full method appears below.
1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add ½ finely chopped red onion and 1 finely chopped garlic clove and cook for about 5 minutes until soft.
2. Stir in ½ teaspoon sea salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, 2 teaspoons sugar, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika and ½ teaspoon dried oregano.
3. Pour in 400 ml passata, ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce and 800 g drained and rinsed haricot beans. Simmer gently for 15 minutes or until the sauce reaches your preferred thickness.
4. Taste and adjust seasoning with a little extra salt, pepper or sugar if needed. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve.
💭 Expert tips
- If using dried haricot beans, soak overnight and cook fully before adding to the sauce. Dried beans give a better texture but require more time.
- Replace the sugar with maple syrup or honey to balance the tomato acidity and add a different depth of flavour.
- For a richer tomato taste, stir in 1 tablespoon tomato paste when you add the herbs and spices.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Baked beans are extremely versatile. Popular ways to serve them include:
- As part of a Full English breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausages and grilled tomatoes.
- With corned beef hash for a hearty brunch.
- On buttered toast for a quick meal or snack.
- Topped on jacket potatoes with grated cheddar.
- Alongside sausage rolls, battered fish and chips, or spooned over potato scones.
- As a saucy side with a variety of main dishes or comfort plates like chicken nuggets and fries.
🥡 Storage
To store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat: Microwave until piping hot, or reheat gently in a saucepan on the hob.
To freeze: Cool completely, transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost thoroughly before reheating.
❓ Frequently asked questions
British baked beans are cooked in a thinner tomato sauce and are less sweet. American-style baked beans are often thicker and sweeter, frequently made with molasses and a more barbecue-like flavour.
Boston baked beans are traditionally made with molasses, salt pork, onion and black pepper, giving them a distinctively sweet and savory profile.
😋 More easy recipes to try
- Air Fryer Frittata
- Marmite Spaghetti
- Cheese Toastie
- Courgette Fritters
Tried the recipe? Snap a pic and tag @effortlessf00d on Instagram and leave a comment to let us know how you got on.
Recipe
Homemade British Baked Beans
Make classic British baked beans at home with this easy homemade baked beans recipe.
Details
Course: Breakfast, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: British
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 6 | Calories (approx): 242 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ red onion, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons sugar (white or brown)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 800 g haricot beans (2 x 400 g tins), drained and rinsed
- 400 ml passata
- 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Cook the red onion and garlic for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Add the salt, pepper, sugar, smoked paprika and oregano. Stir to combine and cook briefly to release the aromas.
- Add the passata, Worcestershire sauce and drained beans. Simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to your liking.
- Adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper or sugar if needed. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Using dried beans: soak overnight and cook thoroughly before adding to the sauce.
- Swap sugar for maple syrup or honey to change the sweetness profile.
- For a deeper tomato flavour, add 1 tablespoon tomato paste with the spices.
- Storage: refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutritional Information (Approximate)
Per serving: Calories 242 kcal | Carbohydrates 42 g | Protein 14 g | Fat 3 g | Sugar 5 g | Fiber 10 g | Sodium 226 mg