Heinz Beans (All You Ever Wanted to Know)

Heinz beans are a quintessential part of British culture. They are a beloved staple in almost every home across the United Kingdom, and most outside this realm will never understand the appeal of this simple, teal can.

Chances are that you have seen, or heard of Heinz beans, no matter where you live (in English speaking countries.)

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*HB = Heinz Beans throughout the text

These classic British beans are popular for a reason, they are simple and delicious. Growing up in the UK, I took them for granted, but when we moved to the US in the mid 1970s, they weren’t available to us anymore, despite originally being an American creation!

Heinz beans are part of a full Scottish breakfast, including lorne sausage.

I remember coming across a can in our local Kroger store when I was a teenager. My family was so excited, but it was short-lived as they weren’t the same beans that we were accustomed to in the UK.

What are Heinz Beans?

Heinz Beans are canned haricot baked beans in a slightly thickened, tomato based sauce containing sugar and vinegar. They are an American creation, but just like a Knickerbocker Glory sundae, found its fame and adoring audience in the UK.

Heinz Beans Ingredients

HB are made using: beans, tomatoes, water, sugar, modified cornflour (cornstarch in the US), spirit vinegar, salt, and natural flavors.

Are you an Anglophile? You’ll love these English recipes!

How are Heinz Beans Eaten?

HB can be eaten just warmed up out of the can, with eggs and chips, and so many other ways.

They are often poured on top of a Scotch pie for a beloved Scottish dinner (photo below includes a piece of black pudding which is not a usual topping.) However, most often they are eaten as part of a full Scottish or English breakfast, or beans on toast.

The latter is hugely popular dish that Brits eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I wrote an entire post and recipe just about beans on toast because I saw someone post a recipe for Heinz baked beans and I almost lost my mind!

While those of you who know me know that I am all about using and promoting natural, unprocessed food. However, this is the one time I will tell you that you won’t be able to replicate HB. As long as you’re not looking for the exact same flavor, of course homemade is better, but you simply cannot make “Heinz beans” at home.

Beans for Breakfast

Many North Americans can’t wrap their head around having beans for breakfast, but it’s really a great thing! Beans are full of protein, and as I stated, this brand of beans isn’t super sweet, so it fits in perfectly alongside eggs, toast and bacon, for example. Of course, beans on toast is another example of having beans for breakfast.

Heinz Beanz’ US Origin and History

As I explained earlier, and in my beans on toast post, HB was invented in 1895 by the Heinz Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In the early 1900s, this American product was exported to the UK, but due to the shipping, it was a rather expensive item. It wasn’t until 1928 when the baked beans were made in a factory just outside London that their popularity increased due to affordability and convenience.

How do Heinz Beans taste?

If you’re wondering about the flavor of HB in tomato sauce, they are quite plain and simple, with a bit of a sweet profile. Just don’t expect them to be cloyingly sweet; I think that they are much less sweet than other American beans, even homemade baked beans which is full of molasses and brown sugar.

There are lots of variations of Heinz beans including reduced sugar and salt, curry flavored beans, Heinz Beanz Fiery Chilli flavor, and even maple flavor from Canada. I’m a traditionalist, and can’t say I’d like to try any of these because I just love the original Heinz baked beans, just like my dad!

My dad used to be a cook in the British army, and when he made the troops tinned baked beans, he’d fry up some onions, then add the beans. This is the way his Italian father taught him, and everyone loved it. Give it a try and let me know, my dad still loves to hear when people like them made “his way.”

Heinz Vegetarian Beans

Yes, Heinz beans are not only vegetarian, but they’re also vegan. The “no added sugar” variety are vegetarian, but I will tell you that I have tried these and I am not a fan. My cousin, Concetta, in England made me breakfast when I flew in once, and after one bite of the beans I announced, “Oh no! These aren’t Heinz!” She responded with, “You cheeky monkey, you can tell!” They were H…z, but not the original.

The original recipe contained pork, but during World War II, it was made vegetarian due to meat rationing, and stayed that way. –Britain Explained

Can You Find Heinz Beans When Eating Out in the UK?

Absolutely, yes! You will often find these saucy legumes on menus across the United Kingdom. Often on breakfast menus, but you’ll also find them in pubs, and cafes, and served alongside dishes like egg and chips. Don’t expect to find them on any high end restaurant menus, unless you’re there for breakfast.

Lifestyle and Culture

Did you know~

• British people eat more baked beans than the rest of the world put together? – Britain Explained
• If you see beans spelled, “Beanz” it’s part of the advertising campaign, “Beanz Meanz Heinz.”
• Heinz beans are featured in Mad Men and Dr. Who, not to mention loads of British TV shows and films where characters are eating them.
• A Welsh man calling himself, Captain Beany, created the Baked Bean Museum of Excellence (now closed), and went to great extremes to profess his love of baked beans!
• A man dressed as a can of Heinz beans is known for keeping food banks full of beans in South Derbyshire, England.
• Two men combined 2 cans of Heinz baked beans to create one large “bean” which went viral in 2023, being called the Heinz Big Bean.
• There’s loads of Heinz Beans art on Etsy and memorabilia on Ebay.

Last, but not least, if you have a few minutes to watch this adorable Heinz ad made to introduce new can sizes to Australia, it’s a lovely little animated mini-film.

Do you still have questions about Heinz baked beans? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll try to answer. Remember to check out my beans on toast post as there is more information there.

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