
Home cooks have been told how to improve baked beans with just one sour ingredient, like vinegar or hot sauce. A university student took to Reddit to ask how to improve their cooking, looking for a quick, easy, and affordable meal.
They said on the subreddit r/CookingForBeginners: "I am new to trying canned beans, but the sweetness absolutely turns me off, especially in Heinz beans. However, I see people on the internet going crazy for them as a cheap food option. Am I doing something wrong? I tried eating canned beans by mixing them with some spices, and they're edible, but still too hard for me to eat." Another user said the best way to improve baked beans is to "balance the sweetness with acid or spiciness", by adding ingredients like vinegar or hot sauce. In addition to these, baked beans can be elevated by adding smoked paprika, garlic powder, and chilli powder during cooking. A Redditor also suggested adding Worcestershire sauce, which is often made from vinegar, anchovies, garlic, onions, and salt, and is commonly used as a sauce for foods like burgers and steaks.

Yet a dash of the sauce is claimed to transform the loved dish. They said: "A splash of Worcester sauce in the beans and grate some pepper over the top. Heaven!"
Another user described topping the dish with "cheese and a dash of Worcester sauce" as "the perfect addition to level it up without butchering" the meal into a "raw brioche whole food monster".
Another recommended starting from scratch with haricot beans and adding salt, pepper, onions, garlic, and olive oil alongside other items like sausages, tomatoes and more.
According to top chefs, the classic comfort food can be elevated with a splash of wine, turning it into something far more refined and delicious.
Ed Grace, chef at the acclaimed London restaurant Trullo, has created what he calls a Tuscan twist on the beloved baked beans and sausage combo.
"Everyone knows how good baked beans and sausages are together," Grace told The Guardian, "but when they're cooked with wine and sage, too, they turn into a simple yet delicious dinner."
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