Can You Freeze Baked Beans?
Can you freeze baked beans? Yes, baked beans freeze really well, once it is packaged and stored correctly. There is generally no change in the taste or texture of the beans, when they are removed from the freezer and thawed. You can keep the baked beans in the freezer for 2 to 3 months before the quality begins to degrade.
5 Tips & Tricks to Know About Freezing Baked Beans
Baked beans are the perfect side dish.
They pair so well with different meals, they taste really good and are pretty easy to make.
Baked beans are such a versatile dish and if you are having them for breakfast, lunch or for an upcoming BBQ or party, there is a good chance that you might have some leftover.
Below are a couple tips & tricks that you should know and use when freezing baked beans.
1. Great Way to Preserve Leftovers
You may have opened a huge can of baked beans or made a big batch for a party, with a leftovers sitting around.
If you keep it in the refrigerator, the shelf life is drastically reduced and the beans could spoil before you are ready to use them.
Freezing baked beans allows you to preserve them to be used at a later time, without worrying about them being wasted or spoiling.
2. Time Saver/Convenient
Freezing baked beans can be a time saver, especially if you like to plan ahead and make future meals.
You can make one big batch of beans, divide and freeze in individual containers and then thaw and use when needed.
This saves time, as you will not have to worry about doing baked beans on the day, you can thaw and use as needed.
3. Let Them Cool Before Freezing
Before freezing your baked beans, it is important that you let them cool.
Placing hot beans in the freezer can cause them to burst open, leaving them mushy and soft when thawed.
4. Freeze The Same Day
Baked beans should be frozen the same day that they are cooked. This lessens the possibility of changes in taste and texture.
5. Do Not Refreeze
If you have thawed frozen baked beans, you should not refreeze them.
The quality, texture and flavor will be severely impacted.
How to Freeze Baked Beans: A Step-by-Step Guide
You will be able to effectively freeze homemade baked beans and those in a can.
Here is how it’s done:
Steps
- Prep the beans for freezing: If you have homemade baked beans, allow it to cool before placing in the freezer.
- Pack the Beans: Pour the baked beans into a freezer-safe bag or container. If using a bag, try to squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing it.
- Label the Containers: It is a good idea to properly label the container/bag before placing it in the freezer. Take a permanent marker and write what’s inside the packaging, along with the date, so this will help you to have an idea as to how long the baked beans have been in the freezer.
- Place in the Freezer: Store the baked beans in the freezer, they should be used within 2-3 months to maximize their freshness.
How to Thaw Frozen Baked Beans?
Thawing frozen baked beans is a quick and easy process and you have three options that you can use.
These are:
- Overnight in the refrigerator
- Microwave
- On the Stovetop
Please Note: Never let your baked beans thaw at room temperature. The USDA advises that you should never thaw your food on your counter as there is a chance it could enter the “Danger Zone,” between 40 and 140 °F — temperatures where bacteria multiply rapidly.
Overnight in the Refrigerator
When you are ready to use your frozen baked beans, you can remove them from the freezer and let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator. It should take around 8 hours for the beans to fully defrost.
Microwave
The microwave is the quickest way to defrost frozen baked beans. Place the frozen beans in a microwave-safe container and use the defrost or low power setting. It should take around 5 minutes (depending on how much) for the beans to thaw.
Stovetop
Thawing the beans in a saucepan on the stovetop is a viable defrosting option, but there is a possibility, that the baked beans could come out soft and mushy. When thawing this way, use a low-medium flame and constantly stir to ensure that it is evenly heated.
Warming up Thawed Baked Beans
Once your baked beans have thawed, they will have to be warmed up. (Check out our in-depth guide on reheating baked beans here).
One mistake people make is by skipping the defrosting process and reheating them directly from the freezer.
This should be avoided as you will find that the baked beans will come out very soft and watery.
The frozen beans showed be thawed first, then reheated.
Wrapping it up
Now that we have reached the end of the article, you should have a better understanding as to how to freeze baked beans properly.
Now, I want to hear from you.
Let me know in the comments below if there’s anything that I missed out or if there’s anything that needs clarification.
