Are there allergens in baked beans? Everything you need to know about this culinary favourite

Given the ubiquity of baked beans in our everyday eating habits, we decided it was time to learn the truth about baked beans. So we’re delving into the following questions:

• What are baked beans?
• What are baked beans made of?
• Are there allergens in baked beans?
• Are baked beans vegan?
• Can Coeliacs eat baked beans?
• What is the difference between American and English baked beans?
• Are baked beans a good source of protein?
• Are baked beans a carb or a protein?
• Are baked beans good for you?
• What’s in baked bean sauce?
• How do you add flavour to baked beans?
• What’s the best way to eat baked beans?
• What beans are baked beans made of?

Now let’s find out the answers...

What are baked beans?

Baked beans are a food product in which the main ingredient is haricot beans.

The beans may be cooked by steaming or baking or left uncooked before stewing in a tomato-based sauce in a pressure cooker at a low temperature for a prolonged period of time. It is the cooking process that achieves the thick silky texture of the product, and also prolongs its shelf life.

Baked beans are generally associated with the brand Heinz, who manufactured baked beans in America before manufacturing them for the UK and Ireland, changing the ingredients slightly to make them less sweet and more savoury. The first Heinz baked beans were sold in London in 1901, in the department store Fortnum & Mason.

What are baked beans made of?

Baked beans are made of haricot (or even cannellini) beans in a tomato sauce.

The sauce has a base of crushed or pureed tomatoes, mixed with a combination of ingredients that might include spices such as paprika, garlic salt, onion powder, mustard, red wine vinegar and molasses. The ingredients in baked beans really depend on the individual recipe

Are there allergens in baked beans?

Whether there are allergens in baked beans depends on the recipe. Beans themselves - whether haricot, cannellini or otherwise, are not among the 14 major food allergens, however they are a legume and legumes are among the most common rising allergens.

Most baked beans do not contain any of the major food allergens, but some varieties may contain Cereals containing Gluten due to using ingredients such as wheat flour to thicken the sauce, or Fish, if Worcestershire sauce made with anchovies is among the ingredients listed.

You can use a tool such as the Erudus Allergen & Nutritional Data Search to check whether the baked beans you are using contain any allergens, as well as other information such as dietary suitability and calorie content.

Are baked beans vegan?

Yes, most baked beans are vegan. Most ingredients in baked beans - such as the beans themselves and the tomatoes in the sauce are plant-based. Processed baked beans will have the addition of preservatives and ingredients such as sugar, but again they are not animal-derived.

The only way baked beans might be unsuitable for vegans is if they are made using a Worcestershire sauce that contains anchovies, or if they are mixed with sausages or cooked in pork fat, as baked beans originally were.

Menu Idea - Baked Bean Cottage Pie

When sauteing your mince with onions and carrots to make your cottage pie, add a tin of baked beans to the mix and stir well as you gently cook.

The mince can then be covered over with the traditional layer of mashed potatoes.

Can Coeliacs eat baked beans?

Coeliacs can safely eat most varieties of baked beans, including the most popular processed brands. A few varieties of baked beans may have had the sauce thickened with ingredients such as wheat - a cereal that contains gluten, or be flavoured with Worcestershire sauce, which can also contain gluten.

Gluten cannot be eaten by those with an allergy to Cereals containing Gluten or Coeliac Disease.

Tools such as the Erudus Recipe Builder will tell you whether your baked beans recipe is suitable for those with Coeliac Disease and other dietary requirements.

What is the difference between American and English baked beans?

American baked beans are sweeter than English baked beans. The former, which are also sometimes called Boston baked beans, are made with a sauce including ingredients such as molasses and sugar, whereas British beans are more salty and tomato-based.

Baked beans from the US are traditionally cooked with a pork or bacon salt, which UK beans are not.

Are baked beans a good source of protein?

Yes, baked beans - made with haricot or cannellini beans - are a good source of protein.

They are a pulse, and pulses are known for being a good source of protein for those following a plant-based diet.

Are baked beans a carb or a protein?

It’s hard to say whether baked beans should be classed as a protein or a carbohydrate. Whilst they are well known as a good source of protein, they also contain a relatively high amount of carbs.

Menu Idea - Baked bean muffins

Baked beans can be a surprisingly tasty addition to savoury muffins, and one that actually improves the nutritional value of the baked good.

In addition to the usual muffin ingredients of self-raising flour, baking powder, milk, egg and butter, you’ll need to make sure that you incorporate a good amount of strong cheese such as cheddar, to set off the can of baked beans you can add to the mixture.

Are baked beans good for you?

Baked beans can be surprisingly good for you. Beans themselves are a great source of protein and fibre - classed as one of your 5 a day, and tomato sauce contains many vitamins and minerals that can improve gut health and heart health.

However, some baked bean varieties also contain empty calorie ingredients such as sugar, and processed baked beans may contain additionals salt, sugar and other BPA contaminants that are not healthy, though they may also contain beneficial additives too.

What’s in baked bean sauce?

Baked beans have a tomato-based sauce that in the UK includes ingredients such as tomatoes, water, sugar, spirit vinegar, modified cornflour, salt, spice extracts and herb extracts.

In the US the tomato sauce ingredients are more likely to be bacon or pork salt, maple syrup, molasses, brown sugar, mustard and onions alongside tomatoes.

You can also add caramelised onions or a meat such as bacon or pancetta for extra salty, smoky flavour.

How do you add flavour to baked beans?

You can add flavour to baked beans by adding a teaspoon of your favourite spice, such as paprika, chilli powder, cumin or even something richer such as cocoa powder or espresso powder.

What’s the best way to eat baked beans?

In England, many agree that the best way of eating baked beans is to have them on toast. White toast, brown toast, sourdough or even a bagel or crumpet. You can also add cheese and/or sausages to make it a tasty meal.

Menu Idea - Baked bean and aubergine tray bake

Beans are a great addition to an easy tray bake, especially alongside a hearty, meaty vegetable such as aubergines. Simply add the beans to the aubergine in your tray along with other ingredients such as diced potatoes, sliced onions and a mixture of herbs and spices, then bake for 30 mins at 180 degrees.

What beans are baked beans made from?

Baked beans are made from haricot beans, small white beans that soak up flavour. You can also make baked beans with cannellini beans.