Do You Drain Pork and Beans When Making Baked Beans?

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Need a quick and easy baked bean recipe that the whole family will love? This old-fashioned pork and beans recipe is easy to make and takes canned pork and beans to the next level.

Baked beans are a beloved side dish especially during backyard barbecues and summer picnics. While recipes vary, most start with a base of canned pork and beans. But when you open that familiar blue and white can an important question arises – should you drain and rinse the beans first or just use them as is?

There are good arguments on both sides of whether to drain canned pork and beans before baking. This article will outline the pros and cons to help you decide the best approach for optimal texture and flavor.

The Case for Draining Beans

Here are some of the main benefits of draining and rinsing canned pork and beans before baking:

  • Removes Excess Salt Draining the beans can help reduce the sodium content by getting rid of some of the salty liquid they are packed in, This helps lower your overall sodium intake

  • Limits Messiness: Draining off the viscous bean juice before baking reduces the chance of spill overs and bubbles in the oven. No one wants baked bean mess!

  • Removes Excess Liquid: Draining prevents the finished beans from being too watery or runny. It gives you better control over the final texture.

  • Allows Seasoning Control: With less bean liquid, you can better control flavor with your own seasonings and spices rather than just tasting the pork and bean juice.

  • Prevents Soggy Beans: Draining helps beans retain their shape better during baking compared to steaming in the can liquid and turning mushy.

So if you are watching your sodium intake, want to avoid potential oven spills or prefer a thicker bean texture, draining pork and beans is likely the way to go.

Reasons to Skip Draining Beans

On the flip side, here are some potential perks from baking beans undrained straight from the can:

  • Saves Time: No need to dirty and wash a strainer or colander. Simply open the can and dump it in. Fast and simple.

  • Retains Nutrients: Draining may wash away some vitamins and minerals that are canned in the bean liquid.

  • Adds Moisture: The thick, starchy juice helps keep the beans tender and moist in the dry oven environment.

  • Enhances Flavor: Many seasonings and spices are already added to the canning liquid, offering robust pork and bean taste.

  • Thickens Sauce: The viscous bean liquid lends thickness to create a rich baked bean sauce.

So if quick prep, maximum nutrition, and concentrated flavor are priorities, baking beans undrained may be your best bet.

Key Factors to Consider

With reasonable arguments on both sides of the drain versus no drain debate, how do you decide what to do with those canned pork and beans? Here are some key factors to consider:

  • Bean Variety – Firm beans like navy and great northern hold their shape better with draining compared to softer bean types that need more liquid.

  • Added Liquid – Account for other wet ingredients like ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, etc. that make draining less necessary.

  • Cooking Method – Beans baked uncovered benefit from draining more than slow cooked beans that retain moisture.

  • Desired Texture – Drain beans if you want thick, scoopable baked beans versus a saucier, soupier consistency.

  • Flavor Intensity – Draining reduces the strong canned taste, allowing other seasonings to shine through.

  • Sodium Content – To limit sodium, draining and rinsing helps remove some of the saltiness.

Consider your specific recipe, preferences and health factors to decide if embracing the pork and bean juices or draining them off best fits your needs.

How to Drain and Rinse Canned Beans

If choosing to drain and rinse, follow these simple steps:

  1. Open the can and pour the entire contents into a mesh strainer or colander placed in the sink.

  2. Allow liquid to drain completely, at least 1-2 minutes. Gently shake the strainer to remove all juice.

  3. Optional: Briefly rinse beans with cool water to further reduce sodium, starch, and enhance flavor.

  4. Shake strainer vigorously to drain off all rinse water. Beans should not be wet.

  5. Transfer drained beans to your baking dish and proceed as directed in your recipe.

Tip: Save the drained bean liquid to use as a flavorful, thick vegetarian broth base for soups or gravies!

Tips for Preparing Beans for Baked Beans

While the draining debate wages on, here are some other pointers for handling canned beans:

  • Inspect for any damaged or discolored beans and discard them.

  • For ultimate flavor and texture, soak and cook dried beans from scratch if time allows.

  • Substitute olive oil or turkey bacon to reduce sodium compared to regular pork.

  • Mix in extra vegetables like onions, carrots or bell peppers for added nutrition.

  • Season with spices like mustard, garlic, and chili powder to amp up flavor.

  • Finish with garnishes like scallions, cheese or jalapenos for extra texture and taste.

The verdict on whether to drain those canned pork and beans ultimately depends on your specific recipe, preferences and purpose. But either way, you can feel good knowing homemade baked beans will be an delicious addition to any barbecue, potluck or summer gathering!

do you drain pork and beans when making baked beans

To make baked beans in the crockpot

You can make the entire recipe in the slow cooker. I like to cook the bacon ahead of time in a skillet.

If the beans look too thin, take the lid off of the crock pot with baked beans about 30 minutes before serving to thicken them. This allows some of the liquid to evaporate.

You can find instructions to make the baked beans slow cooker recipe below!

How to make Baked Beans with pork and beans

We’re combining all our ingredients in one of two vessels. If you’re baking these in the oven, you’ll need a casserole dish.

do you drain pork and beans when making baked beans

  • Step 1: Okay, we’re going to use a big can of beans and spice it up with some seasonings and spices. Bacon, of course. You can add more bacon if you want, but my recipe only calls for two slices. In the pan go chopped onion, yellow mustard that has been made, molasses, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.

do you drain pork and beans when making baked beans

  • Step 2: Put foil over it and bake it for 90 minutes.

The recipe is super easy, right? I promise it’s easier to make than it is to pronounce Worcestershire.

do you drain pork and beans when making baked beans

BAKED BEANS RECIPE: TURN CANNED INTO WOW! – COOKING ESCAPADES

FAQ

Are you supposed to drain baked beans?

For that reason, most of the BHG’s test kitchen recipes call for draining and rinsing canned beans, which can also help remove the metallic flavor sometimes found in cans. It’s an added step that takes less than a minute but improves the flavor and texture of your dish.

Do you drain Bush’s baked beans?

Start with canned baked beans — again, I highly recommend Bush’s Vegetarian Baked Beans as they’re a little lower in sugar than other varieties. Open the cans then drain off the liquid that sits on top of each can. This will ensure your baked beans don’t turn out runny.

What happens if you don’t drain and rinse beans?

Not draining and rinsing them can add viscosity, liquid, and/or flavor to a dish, she says, which isn’t always something she wants for a recipe. But Gellman is a bit of an outlier. Most pros answer with, “It depends.” Dana Angelo White, MS, RDN says it has everything to do with what she’s making.

Do beans need to be drained after cooking?

Keep cooking and “bite test” again in 10-15 minutes for tenderness. Drain beans immediately after they reach the desired tenderness to halt the cooking process and prevent over-cooking.

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