Baked beans are one of the most quintessential sides at a tailgate or a summer cookout. Even though there aren’t that many baked bean brands that are really good, we wanted to try some of the most popular ones. We tried beans from eight different brands below. For two of them, we tried both the original and vegetarian versions. After conducting this taste test, we all learned just how different our palates are. The average score for each can of beans was ranked from 1 to 10, with 1 being the best and 10 being the worst. This was done to make sure that all of our reviews were taken into account.
Check out which baked bean cans we liked best and which ones we probably wouldn’t buy again. For something to eat with those beans, read We Tried 8 Different Hot Dog Brands.
Baked beans are a backyard BBQ staple. Opening up a can of beans to heat up is an easy way to complete your cookout menu. But with all the options on grocery store shelves, how do you know which brand of canned baked beans truly tastes best?
Our team did a taste test of 10 popular canned baked bean varieties to identify the hits and misses. Read on for our rankings of the best and worst canned baked beans based on flavor, texture sweetness and more.
How We Evaluated Canned Baked Beans
We sampled classic baked bean flavors as well as some more non-traditional ones. Our testers evaluated each can on the following criteria:
- Flavor – Overall taste including sweetness, smokiness, seasoning
- Texture – Firmness and softness of the beans
- Sauce – Thickness, flavor and overall quality
- Value – How the price compares to the quality
Keep reading to see which brand’s baked beans came out on top in our showdown
10. Eden Organic Baked Beans with Sweet Sorghum
Eden Organic’s baked beans have an almost mushy texture reminiscent of refried beans. The gingerbread-like flavor from cinnamon and cloves is unusual for traditional baked beans.
Pros
- Interesting flavor
- Organic and non-GMO
Cons
- Not a typical baked bean taste
- Beans are very soft
Tasting Notes: Uniquely spiced but not what we expect from baked beans.
9. B&M Vegetarian Baked Beans
B&M’s vegetarian beans are extremely saucy with a watery texture. The molasses and brown sugar give an unpleasant aftertaste.
Pros
- Vegetarian
- Includes fiber
Cons
- Watery and mushy
- Strange aftertaste
- High in added sugar
Tasting Notes: Odd flavor and mushy texture. The worst aftertaste of all we tried.
8. Heinz Original Baked Beans
Heinz baked beans taste overwhelmingly sweet and tomatoey, like beans swimming in ketchup.
Pros
- Includes pork for flavor
- Brand name recognition
Cons
- Too sweet and acidic tasting
- Very watery sauce
Tasting Notes: Tastes like someone poured ketchup into the beans. Too sweet.
7. B&M Original Baked Beans
B&M’s original beans are extra saucy with a strong molasses taste. The flavor is not very balanced.
Pros
- Includes pork
- High fiber
Cons
- Sauce is very thin
- Too much molasses flavor
- Aftertaste is not great
Tasting Notes: Odd aftertaste we didn’t like. The sauce is unappealing.
6. Trader Joe’s Organic Baked Beans
These beans are super sweet but have a nice texture. Opinions were mixed on whether they were too sugary.
Pros
- Organic
- Good bean texture
- Contains bacon
Cons
- Very high in sugar
- Too sweet for some
Tasting Notes: Almost candied sweetness. Great texture but too sugary.
5. Campbell’s Pork and Beans
Campbell’s has a classic baked bean profile with a nice thick sauce and tender beans. Flavor is somewhat basic.
Pros
- Thick, creamy sauce
- Balanced taste
- Contains pork
Cons
- Nothing unique about flavor
- Higher in sodium
Tasting Notes: Traditional baked bean taste but a bit bland.
4. 365 Organic Baked Beans
365 Everyday Value organic beans have a very nice balance of sweetness and moisture without being overpowering in any flavor.
Pros
- Organic
- Well-balanced flavor
- Not too sweet
Cons
- Contains added sugar
- Nothing special about taste
Tasting Notes: Good standard baked bean flavor. A bit plain but not in a bad way.
3. Amy’s Organic Vegetarian Baked Beans
Amy’s organic beans highlight the white bean flavor. The tomato taste is pleasantly tangy without being overly sweet.
Pros
- Organic ingredients
- Lower in sugar
- Real bean flavor shines
Cons
- Less traditional baked bean taste
- Minimal seasoning
Tasting Notes: Fresh vine-ripened tomato taste. Allows beans’ flavor to come through.
2. Bush’s Best Vegetarian Baked Beans
Bush’s vegetarian beans nail the perfect balance of sweetness and savory flavor. Texture is just right.
Pros
- Natural delicious taste
- Vegetarian
- Firm, tender beans
Cons
- Higher in sodium
- Contains added sugar
Tasting Notes: The best flavor balance of any we tried. Deliciously sweet and tangy.
1. Bush’s Best Original Baked Beans
Our #1 winner is Bush’s Best Original. With tasty pork bits, brown sugar flavor, and thick sauce – it’s a baked bean classic.
Pros
- Pork adds nice smoky flavor
- Firm yet tender beans
- Balance of sweet and tangy
Cons
- Higher in sodium
- Not organic
Tasting Notes: Perfectly cooked beans and exemplary traditional baked bean profile.
What Makes an Excellent Canned Baked Bean?
Based on our taste test, here are the key qualities that make for amazing canned baked beans:
-
Traditional sweet and tangy flavor – The best beans have brown sugar flavor balanced by acidic tomato taste. Too sweet or too plain is undesirable.
-
Pork or bacon flavor – Most traditional baked beans include pork, bacon or ham to add a salty, smoky flavor.
-
Thick sauce – Beans shouldn’t be drowning in liquid sauce. The best texture comes from a thick sauce coating tender beans.
-
Firm yet tender beans – Beans should maintain their shape but have a soft creaminess when bitten into. Mushy beans are a big no-no.
-
Natural ingredients – Beans made with simple recognizable ingredients tend to taste fresher and better.
365 Everyday Value Organic Baked Beans
The beans were soft, and the flavor wasnt overly sweet.
One of our favorites was 365 Everyday Value Organic Baked Beans. They were one of the best because they weren’t too sweet or too salty. One editor described it perfectly: “Sweet and tangy; the texture was overall good. I would choose this. “.
Eden Organic Baked Beans—Sweet Sorghum
Picture going to an Ethiopian restaurant and ordering a plate of soft (almost mushy) vegetables and legumes on top of a bed of soft injera bread. This baked bean variety would be the perfect touch to such a plate. However, when it comes to traditional, sweet baked beans, we felt like this one missed the mark. More like refried beans than baked beans, the texture was similar. If you want a traditional baked bean taste, you won’t find it in this food.
As someone who doesn’t like regular baked beans, I liked this can of beans the most. I dont like the idea of fishing beans out of what looks (and tastes) like syrup. The people I work with, on the other hand, like a regular can of baked beans, so they could give a more honest review. One editor wrote that the beans, “taste like gingerbread. ” Another wrote, “Doesnt taste like baked beans at all. “.
Another editor said she could taste a hint of mustard. On this can of beans, mustard seed is listed as the sixth ingredient. About the gingerbread comment, Eden baked beans do have cinnamon and cloves in them, so that review isn’t totally crazy. Overall, this can of beans came in last because it didn’t taste like baked beans the way we all thought they would.
Popular Canned Baked Beans, Ranked Worst To First
FAQ
What is the difference between Bush’s homestyle and original baked beans?
How to make canned beans taste good?
What makes Bush’s baked beans so good?