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Ditch the tins and make your own

By Lynn Bain

Aug 25, 2025

Baked beans are a staple in many diets, but flavourful, homemade beans are a revelation, according to LYNN BAIN. Here she shares her recipe for a delicious side dish.

The first time I made my own baked beans it was a revelation. So much flavour, plus I could control the amount of additives such as sugar and salt. These homemade baked beans are now a nutritious and delicious regular side dish when my family is having a burger or barbecue.

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Handy hack one: You can vary the beans used in your baked beans. Borlotti, butter beans and cannellini beans are all options.

Handy hack two: You can reduce the amount of sugar used in the following recipe until you get the level of sweetness in the baked beans that you like. I ponder that you can leave the sugar out completely.

Handy hack three: The amount of chilli powder can also be adjusted to the degree of spiciness (what my grandson calls “hottiness”) that you prefer.

Homestyle baked beans

INGREDIENTS

3 rashers bacon, finely chopped

1 onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, grated

2 x 400g tins white cannellini beans, drained

½ cup ketchup

1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes

2 tbsp dark brown sugar

1 tbsp white wine vinegar

½ cup water

1 heaped tsp English mustard

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

½ tsp chilli powder

Freshly grated salt and black pepper (to taste)

Step 1: Warm a heavy-based pot over a medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and continue to heat for a couple of minutes.

Step 2: Add the onion and garlic to the bacon in the warm pot (the bacon adds all of the fat/oil needed).

Step 3: Continue to cook the mix of ingredients, stirring, until the onion has softened.

Step 4: Add the beans and tomatoes to the pot.

Step 5 : Add the ketchup and brown sugar. Stir well until combined.

Step 6: Add the liquids (water and Worcestershire sauce mixed together), as well as the mustard, chilli powder, salt and pepper. Stir well to combine.