Baked beans are food that’s popular around the world. It’s easy and quick to prepare a meal with. If you enjoy eating baked beans, you may sometimes end up with some leftovers. If that’s the case, you may wonder if you can freeze them for later.
Can you freeze baked beans? Yes, you can freeze baked beans. Before freezing them, it’s a good idea to portion them out in the container. That way, you won’t end up with any leftovers. Once baked beans are frozen and thawed, you can’t refreeze them. Properly stored, baked beans will in the freezer for 6 months.
Do Baked Beans Freeze Well?
Baked beans do freeze well, but there is a risk that they may become mushy when it’s frozen and thawed.
To keep them fresh in the freezer, you’ll need to freeze them as soon as possible. The longer you wait to freeze baked beans, the more they will lose their texture and flavor.
Can You Freeze Canned Baked Beans?
Yes, you can freeze canned baked beans, but not in the can though. The tin can use materials that are not suitable for freezer usage. The tin can will break apart due to expansion when it’s freezing. This will result in a spill all over the freezer.
If you want to freeze it, it’s best to remove the baked beans from the can and transfer them to an airtight container.
If the can of baked beans has not been open yet, it’s better to store them in the pantry. It will have the same shelf life as in the freezer.
How To Freeze Baked Beans
If you find yourself with half of the baked beans in the can, you can freeze them.
Below are the steps with details on freezing baked beans:
Portion Baked Beans
Remove any leftover beans from the tin and place them into an airtight container. If it’s any leftovers from a meal, make sure that it doesn’t contain any sauce. If it does, the beans will end up mushy when thawed.
Keep the baked beans from filling to the top of the container. Allow about an inch of space at the top. This will allow the beans to expand during freezing without breaking or cracking the container.
Seal The Container
Once the baked beans are in the container, check the seal on the lid to see if there’s any damage. If not, secure it onto the container tightly.
For double protection, you can wrap a plastic wrap onto the container before sealing it with the lid. This will help prevent air from reaching into the container and damaging the baked beans
Label and Freeze
Label the airtight container with the date of freezing. Then place it into the freezer for storage.
How Long Can You Freeze Baked Beans?
Properly stored, baked beans will last for 6 months in the freezer. After that time, it will still be safe to eat, but the quality of it will deteriorate.
To ensure that you use them before 6 months, it’s a good idea to label the container.
How Do You Defrost Baked Beans?
Defrosting baked beans will depend on what you’re going to use them for. For making a stew, casserole, or a recipe that requires cooking, you can simply cook them straight from frozen. Simply remove the frozen baked beans from the freezer and add them directly to the pan while it’s cooking.
On the other hand, if you’re going to use baked beans on toast, you’ll need to defrost them first. Place the frozen baked beans onto a plate and leave them in the fridge. Let the beans thaw overnight or for at least 6 hours.
Baked beans tend to be sticky if you’re storing them in a container. If that’s the case, place the container into the microwave and heat it at 30 seconds intervals.
Can You Refreeze Baked Beans?
No, you cannot refreeze baked beans. If you try to refreeze baked beans, they will become mushy and lose their flavor.
However, if the baked beans haven’t thawed completely yet, you can refreeze them. Be warned, the texture and flavor will not be the same as out of the can.
Related Questions
Can you freeze baked beans in tomato sauce?
Yes, you can freeze baked beans in tomato sauce. Place them into an airtight container, label the date of freezing on the container, and store them in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat it, the ingredients in the tomato sauce may separate when you thaw them. Simply use a spoon and stir the sauce to get to make it consistent again.