British Baked Beans

British baked beans are a cornerstone of the UK diet, most famously enjoyed as part of a full English breakfast. Unlike American baked beans, which are often slow-cooked with pork and molasses for a sweet, smoky, and thick result, British baked beans are typically simpler, tomato-based, and slightly sweeter and tangier.

The classic British version is almost always Heinz Beanz, which are haricot beans in a thin, tomato-based sauce. Making them from scratch allows you to control the sweetness and depth of flavor.

Here’s a recipe for homemade British-style baked beans that captures that familiar, comforting taste.

Homemade British-Style Baked Beans

This recipe recreates the classic flavour using a tomato base, without the long baking time of traditional American beans.

Yields: 4-6 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25-30 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 x 400g (14 oz) cans of haricot beans (navy beans), drained and rinsed

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or butter

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 x 400g (14 oz) can of chopped tomatoes

• 2 tablespoons tomato puree (tomato paste)

• 3 tablespoons HP Sauce or Worcestershire Sauce (this is the secret to the “British” flavour)

• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar or treacle (for colour and depth)

• 1 tablespoon malt vinegar or apple cider vinegar

• 1 teaspoon English mustard (e.g., Colman’s)

• 150ml (⅔ cup) vegetable stock or water

• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the oil or butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

2. Create the Sauce: Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, HP Sauce (or Worcestershire), brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, and vegetable stock to the pan. Stir well to combine.

3. Simmer: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let it cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavours to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.

4. Blend the Sauce (Optional but Recommended): For a smooth sauce like the tinned version, carefully transfer the sauce to a blender and blend until smooth. Be careful as the sauce is hot. Alternatively, use an immersion blender directly in the pot. This step is key to getting the right texture.

5. Add the Beans: Return the smooth sauce to the pot (if you used a blender). Add the drained and rinsed haricot beans and stir to coat.

6. Final Simmer: Gently simmer the beans for another 5-10 minutes until they are heated through and the sauce has thickened to your liking. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of water or stock.

7. Season and Serve: Season generously with salt and black pepper to taste. The flavours should be a balance of sweet, tangy, and savoury.

Serve hot on buttery toast, as part of a full English breakfast, or with a baked potato.

What Makes Them “British”? Key Differences

• Beans: British beans use haricot beans (navy beans).

• Sauce Base: The sauce is a tomato-based sauce, not a molasses-based one.

• Flavour Profile: The taste is a unique blend of sweet, tangy, and savoury, achieved with sugar, vinegar, and a critical ingredient: HP Sauce or Worcestershire sauce. This gives it a malty, tamarind-like tang that is distinctly British.

• Texture: The sauce is generally thinner and smoother than its American counterpart.

The Classic: Heinz Beanz

It’s impossible to talk about British baked beans without mentioning Heinz. They are the benchmark. The homemade recipe above aims to replicate their general flavour profile. If you’ve never had them, here’s what to expect from the iconic tin:

• Very soft beans in a smooth, orange-red sauce.

• A flavour that is subtly sweet and tangy, not smoky or overly rich.

• A comforting, simple, and nostalgic taste for Brits.

Enjoy your homemade British beans! They’re far superior to the tinned version and a wonderful addition to your breakfast table.