Can You Freeze Baked Beans? The Answer Really Is This Easy
For some foods, it’s obvious to figure out that they can be frozen. Cookies? Check. Ice cream? Check.
For other foods, however, it’s not as easy to know if you can freeze them, and even if you know that they can be frozen, accomplishing this task yourself is a whole different story!
Recently, I found myself wondering: Can you freeze baked beans?
After a few quick searches and some testing, I figured out that you can freeze baked beans, and it’s not hard at all! Let’s go through my findings so that we can both become freezing experts.
More...
How Can I Freeze Baked Beans?
Lucky for you (and me!) freezing baked beans is actually very easy. All you’ll need is the beans, a storage container, and a freezer!
Here’s how to freeze the baked beans:
1. Cool Beans
After you’re finished with your baked beans, you will want to let them cool to room temperature. If you try to freeze them while they are still hot, the beans will let off heat which can cause your storage container to break.
2. Put In Container
This step is easy - just put your cooled baked beans into a storage container. See the section below for more information on what type of storage container you should use!You can see what they should look like in a container here:
3. Protect Any Meat
If you use meat in your baked beans, you will want to make sure that the meat is covered in sauce in the container. Either add some extra sauce or stir up the baked beans. This is to help protect the meat from drying out in the freezer.
4. Date It
Put the date on the container before putting your baked beans in the freezer. The beans can stay in the freezer for up to six months. Any longer than that and the beans won’t taste as good!
What Kind Of Container Should I Use To Freeze Baked Beans?
When freezing baked beans, there’s not any one kind of container that has to be used. There’s actually a few different options. Let’s go through my favorites.
1 - Freezer Bags
If you want to freeze your baked beans into single-serve portions that can be eaten for a meal late on, using freezer bags is your best choice. You can put a ladle of baked beans in the bag. Then, when you want to enjoy them, you have a single serving! Many people choose to use freezer bags to freeze beans of all types:
2 - Plastic Storage Containers
Using a plastic storage container that is made to go in the freezer is another great option. Storage containers like these are made to stand up to the freezer and are BPA-free, so you won’t be introducing any dangerous chemicals to your food.
3 - Clear Containers
Via Amazon.com
An inexpensive option that can be used if you plan to do a lot of freezing is clear containers. These containers are not as durable as plastic storage containers, but they are very cheap and do the job well enough. Because these containers are thinner, the beans may take on outside flavors.
How Do I Reheat My Frozen Baked Beans?
When reheating frozen foods with beans in them, slow and steady is the methodology you will want to follow to reheat most effectively. Here’s how to do it:
1. Remove From Freezer
First, take the frozen beans and put them in the refrigerator to thaw. You always want to thaw frozen baked beans before heating up them, and the best way to do this is in the refrigerator!If you’re in a time crunch, you can use your microwave's defrost setting, but be warned that the beans will become very mushy if you do this.
2. Heat Up Slowly
Once thaw, put your baked beans in a pan and heat them up over low heat, very slowly. You want to gradually warm the beans. This keeps their texture and ensures that they are heated thoroughly.
3. Enjoy!
Dig into those beans - you earned it !
Can Canned Baked Beans Be Frozen?
You might be wondering if you can freeze baked beans that came from a can, and the answer is Yes!
Canned baked beans are already fully cooked, so you will simply want to freeze half the jar before you warm them. Follow the same steps as above to freeze them!
It’s best to freeze them before they are ever heated to help them keep their texture, but if you find that you have leftovers after they’ve been cooked, you can still freeze them.
Are There Any More Tips To Follow?
Those are the basics behind successfully freezing baked beans, but there are a few more tips worth reading to make sure that you have the best results possible:
- If you are specifically making baked beans to freeze them, leave them slightly undercooked. When you reheat them after freezing, they will be finished cooking and the perfect texture!
- Do not try to freeze baked beans again after they have already been frozen and thawed. The texture will be unappetizing.
- Freeze in small portions that you can heat up in the microwave for a quick & easy lunch!
- Add extra liquid - either sauce or olive oil - to the baked beans while reheating for best results.
- Try buying dried beans, making baked beans from them, and freezing rather than buying canned baked beans. You’ll save money doing this!
Back To The Bean Basics
Have you found out how to freeze your leftover baked beans? I hope so! It’s not difficult at all and will save you money and from wasting food.
As long as you remember to freeze the beans at room temperature and to reheat them slowly after they are thawed, you will have beans that taste like they were just made that day. It’s even a great way to save on prep time if you want to prepare meals including baked beans in advance.
Have additional tips about freezing baked beans? Share them below, and then share this article with your friends so they can enjoy these benefits, too!
