If you love rice and beans combinations, you’re not alone. These two ingredients are a match made in culinary heaven for more than one reason. They’re affordable, easy to find in most stores, and taste good together. Not to mention, you can prepare them easily for a hearty and nutritious meal.
Baked beans are a beloved staple that finds their way onto tables across America. With their rich, sweet, and tangy tomato-based sauce, baked beans make for an easy, delicious, and budget-friendly side to a variety of dishes.
But with so many options what are the best side dishes to serve alongside baked beans? I’ve compiled 15 of my favorite pairings that complement the flavors of baked beans perfectly.
Cornbread
Cornbread is a classic pairing with baked beans The slightly sweet taste and fluffy yet crumbly texture make it an ideal match Cornbread soaks up the sauce beautifully without falling apart, Make individual muffins or wedges for an easy side dish,
I love to add jalapeños and cheddar cheese to give the cornbread a spicy kick and extra creaminess. Warm cornbread fresh from the oven completes this soulful Southern meal.
Coleslaw
Cool and crunchy coleslaw acts as the perfect foil to baked beans’ richness, The tanginess of the vinegar dressing cuts through the sweetness,
I prefer coleslaw made from a mix of green and purple cabbage, shredded carrots, red onion slivers, celery seed, sugar, cider vinegar, mayo, and pepper. The variety of colors looks beautiful on the plate.
For the best flavor, make your coleslaw ahead of time and let it chill in the fridge before serving. The vegetables soften slightly and the flavors blend together.
Potato Salad
Another classic picnic food, potato salad shares coleslaw’s cool, creamy qualities. Again, the mayo dressing provides a tangy contrast to the baked beans. Potatoes hold their shape and give each bite pleasant texture.
Jazz up your potato salad with minced onion, sweet relish, chopped hard boiled eggs, diced bell pepper, and spicy brown mustard. As with coleslaw, allow time for the favors to meld by making this dish the day before.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
For a lighter pairing, grilled corn on the cob brings out the summery essence of baked beans. The smoky char from the grill plays off the sweet barbecue sauce notes.
Remove the husks and silk before grilling corn over medium heat for 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally, until lightly charred on all sides. The kernels become irresistibly tender and juicy.
Add a pat of butter, a sprinkle of chili powder or grated parmesan, or a squeeze of lime for extra flavor. The natural corny sweetness melds perfectly with the baked beans.
Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes make an easy and filling accompaniment to baked beans. Load up your spuds with all the fixings – butter, sour cream, bacon bits, scallions, cheese, chili, etc.
Rub Russet potatoes with oil and salt before baking at 425°F for 60-75 minutes until fork tender. Or try sweet potatoes for a change of flavor and color. The creamy interior soaks up the bean sauce deliciously.
Mac and Cheese
For ultimate comfort food, serve homemade mac and cheese with baked beans. The cheesy goodness pairs perfectly with the tomato and molasses flavors of the beans.
Make your mac extra special with unique touches like bacon, caramelized onion, roasted red peppers, or sriracha. Crispy breadcrumb or fried onion toppings add bonus texture and crunch.
Let the kids help stir the cheesy sauce for added fun. Mac and cheese with baked beans makes an easy and delicious weeknight dinner.
Green Salad
A fresh green salad provides bright contrast to baked beans’ deeper flavors. The veggies add a palate-cleansing crunch. Make a classic salad of mixed greens, shredded carrots, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes.
Toss with a simple vinaigrette of olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced shallot, and herbs. Or go Greek-style with feta, olives, and crunchy pepperoncini. Either way, greens make a healthy accompaniment.
Grilled Vegetables
For a one-dish meal, throw colorful veggies right on the grill along with your meat. Options like zucchini, squash, bell peppers, mushrooms, and eggplant pair nicely with baked beans.
Brush vegetables with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and herbs before grilling over medium heat for 10-15 minutes until charred and tender. The smoky flavors will complement the barbecue sauce in the beans.
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Similar to russets but with a delicious sweet twist, baked sweet potatoes make a flavorful match for baked beans. The natural sugars caramelize in the oven for the ultimate accompaniment.
Rub orange-fleshed sweet potatoes with oil, salt, and cinnamon. Bake at 400°F for 45-60 minutes until extremely tender when squeezed. Top with brown sugar butter, pecans, or marshmallows for a dessert-like treat.
Jalapeno Cornbread
Spice up traditional cornbread with fresh jalapenos for a version that packs some heat. The kick of the peppers cuts through the sweetness of the baked beans for a dynamic duo.
Add 1-2 minced jalapenos (seeds removed for less heat) to your favorite cornbread recipe, along with shredded cheddar or pepperjack cheese. Bake in a cast iron skillet for crispy edges. The spicy cornbread cools down the beans.
Ranch Potato Salad
Give traditional potato salad a makeover with a ranch dressing instead of mayo-based. Cool ranch pairs sensationally with the sweet tang of baked beans.
To make, simply toss boiled, chopped potatoes with buttermilk, sour cream, ranch dressing mix, minced onion, fresh parsley and chives. The herby flavor complements the beans flawlessly.
Quinoa Salad
For a fresh, protein-packed pairing, quinoa salad makes an awesome baked bean side. Quinoa holds its shape and offers pleasant crunch. The veggies provide bright colors and flavors.
Cook quinoa according to package directions. Mix with halved grape tomatoes, diced cucumber, shredded carrots, sliced scallions, and Italian dressing. Chill before serving for best flavor.
Pasta Salad
Cool and creamy pasta salad provides the perfect textural contrast to baked beans. Choose fun pasta shapes like rotini, bowties, or cavatappi and toss with chopped bell peppers, shaved carrots, cherry tomatoes, Italian dressing and shredded cheese.
Chill the salad thoroughly before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Pasta salad is a classic summer dish that pairs well with so many meals, including baked beans.
Twice Baked Potatoes
For the ultimate rich accompaniment, twice baked potatoes take spuds to the next level. Scoop out baked potatoes and mash the insides with butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon, and scallions before stuffing back into the skins.
Bake again until hot and bubbly. The creamy, cheesy filling soaks up the juices from the beans sublimely. Twice baked potatoes make an indulgent treat.
Corn Casseroles
For another creative corn dish, baked corn casseroles provide incredibly creamy texture and flavor. Combine corn, eggs, cream, cheese, spices and bake until set. Popular versions include corn soufflé and corn pudding.
The natural sweet corn taste harmonizes impeccably with the molasses in baked beans. Corn casseroles make a unique alternative to corn on the cob.
Quick Tips for Cooking Beans
- This will help cut down on cooking time and make the texture better. Soak the beans overnight (or at least 8 hours).
- Before cooking, drain and rinse the beans to get rid of any dirt and lower the sugars.
- You can make your beans taste better by adding aromatics like bay leaves, onions, garlic, and spices.
Now, let’s have a look at some of these showstopping dishes you can cook with rice and beans.
Quick Kitchen Tips for Cooking Rice and Beans
The first thing you need to do to get a rice and beans recipe just right is learn how to cook each ingredient.
Southern Style Pinto Beans: How to Cook Them Like a Pro
FAQ
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