# Bacon in baked beans: Yay or Nay? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 13, 2008, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-in-baked-beans-yay-or-nay/452852 "2008-06-13T20:34:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2008, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-in-baked-beans-yay-or-nay/452852/41 "2008-06-16T23:32:41Z")
[QUOTE=GuanoLad] I think it’s clear that any bacon-based questions on this board will get a chorus of "Yeah!"s even if it’s a stupid idea. [/QUOTE] “Would you let me shove a pound of bacon up your backside and then cook it with a blowtorch?” - “YEAH!” Re the original question, I say sure, but bacon in beans is a shortcut method for the _right_ way to do it: parcook the beans, then put them in a disposable foil tray, cover the tray with a sheet of foil, and punch a few holes in it; then remove the metal grate from your charcoal grill, put the bean-filled tray in the base of the grill, and replace the grate; and slow-cook BBQ pork ribs on the grate directly over the bean-filled tray. The foil keeps the ash out of the beans, while the holes allow the dripping pork fat to drizzle through. If you don’t want to bother with that, then bacon is a marginally adequate substitute. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2008, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-in-baked-beans-yay-or-nay/452852/42 "2008-06-16T23:53:00Z")
[QUOTE=Cervaise] Re the original question, I say sure, but bacon in beans is a shortcut method for the _right_ way to do it: parcook the beans, then put them in a disposable foil tray, cover the tray with a sheet of foil, and punch a few holes in it; then remove the metal grate from your charcoal grill, put the bean-filled tray in the base of the grill, and replace the grate; and slow-cook BBQ pork ribs on the grate directly over the bean-filled tray. The foil keeps the ash out of the beans, while the holes allow the dripping pork fat to drizzle through. If you don’t want to bother with that, then bacon is a marginally adequate substitute. [/QUOTE] You have no idea how badly I wish my apartment had a place for me to set up a charcoal grill right now. I haven’t tried this method, but I must track myself down a grill and a place to cook for a few hours so I can. And now I have to drive all the way across town to get to one of the only decent BBQ places in LA so I can have ribs and beans to tide me over until then. I hope you are happy! I know I am ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2008, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-in-baked-beans-yay-or-nay/452852/43 "2008-06-17T01:36:21Z")
I cook baked beans 5 days a week for around 100 people.Been experimenting with the recipe and I think I got it finalised just today. I use 4 #10 cans of beans(which are a little less than a gallon each). About 3 cups of diced onions 3 sticks of butter 2 cups of molasses About 3 TBSP of ground mustard seed 1 pound of brown sugar and of course bacon… about 20 slices cooked and chopped and the bacon grease. I saute the onions in the butter and the bacon grease. Then everything else is added ,except the brown sugar,simmer for a couple hours,add the brown sugar. I dont bake em,cook em on a stove top. It is very good,if i do say so myself.Ya might wanna make a smaller batch though. ---
**Author:** ![desdinova](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8baadc/32.png) [@desdinova](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/desdinova)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2008, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-in-baked-beans-yay-or-nay/452852/44 "2008-06-17T02:35:50Z")
[QUOTE=levdrakon] Pulled pork? That’s for wimps, and Alton Brown. I use long pork. [/QUOTE] I understand long pork is a key ingredient in Soylent Beans. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2008, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-in-baked-beans-yay-or-nay/452852/45 "2008-06-17T16:49:22Z")
[QUOTE=OpalCat] Gotta say a big “no” from me. Being a vegetarian and all. It sucks finding out that beans have bacon in them because I love baked beans and it means I can’t have any ☹ [/QUOTE] If I’m not mistaken (and I certainly might be!) you can buy “vegetarian baked beans” in the supermarket. These are made without any pork or anything being added. Having said that, I’ll address the OP: bacon goes in almost _everything_, including baked beans! ---
**Author:** ![Leiko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Leiko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leiko)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2008, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-in-baked-beans-yay-or-nay/452852/46 "2008-06-17T19:46:23Z")
[QUOTE=OpalCat] Gotta say a big “no” from me. Being a vegetarian and all. It sucks finding out that beans have bacon in them because I love baked beans and it means I can’t have any ☹ [/QUOTE] I’ve heard from very vegetarian friends that the best vegetarian baked beans are the British tinned beans, but if you don’t have a store that imports them I’ve also heard good things about Bush’s vegetarian baked beans. For myself, I do love bacon, but if I was having real homemade baked beans, I’d want the meat to be one slab of some sort of smoked or brined mostly fat pork bit, cooked until it started to fall apart. Then each serving would get a piece of it, but not lots. ---
**Author:** ![Plynck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Plynck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plynck)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2008, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-in-baked-beans-yay-or-nay/452852/47 "2008-06-17T22:02:22Z")
[QUOTE=OpalCat] Gotta say a big “no” from me. Being a vegetarian and all. [/QUOTE] There’s a difference between meat and a staple that used to walk around on four legs. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2008, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-in-baked-beans-yay-or-nay/452852/48 "2008-06-17T22:11:59Z")
[QUOTE=lobotomyboy63] Much as I enjoy baked, why not go all the way and make ranch beans? The recipe I have somewhere includes bacon, chorizo, and pork sausage. Also onions and cilantro. [/QUOTE] Add some sliced jalapenos and a splash of tequila, too. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2008, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-in-baked-beans-yay-or-nay/452852/49 "2008-06-17T22:17:24Z")
[QUOTE=UncleBeer] Add some sliced jalapenos and a splash of tequila, too. [/QUOTE] And find a cowboy who will punch you in the back of the head every time you take a bite, also. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2008, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-in-baked-beans-yay-or-nay/452852/50 "2008-06-17T22:39:08Z")
[QUOTE=UncleBeer] Add some sliced jalapenos and a splash of tequila, too. [/QUOTE] Now that sounds more my style. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2008, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-in-baked-beans-yay-or-nay/452852/51 "2008-06-17T22:44:44Z")
Bourbon works better, IMO. Especially if you are using smoked bacon. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2008, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-in-baked-beans-yay-or-nay/452852/52 "2008-06-17T22:55:42Z")
[QUOTE=UncleBeer] Add some sliced jalapenos and a splash of tequila, too. [/QUOTE] Yeah, you can make them hot if you want. Chili powder would also work. Proceed with caution. ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2008, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-in-baked-beans-yay-or-nay/452852/53 "2008-06-18T01:45:25Z")
[QUOTE=Mr Bus Guy] Bacon goes in everything. Especially beans. [/QUOTE] There is practically nothing with flavor where adding bacon does not enhance it. Heck, I brush my teeth with bacon soda. I think. Buttermilk pancakes? Wrap them around thick-cut bacon (or sausage) and it’s even better. Pizza? With bacon? You know it’s better! Tossed salad? Of course. With some diced tomatoes, a hard-boiled egg and some avocado! Vanilla ice cream? With smoked hickory bacon? You betcha. Don’t believe me, try it. Lemon meringue pie? Or chocolate milk? OK, that’s pushing it. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2008, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-in-baked-beans-yay-or-nay/452852/54 "2008-06-18T01:50:48Z")
[QUOTE=MadTheSwine] I cook baked beans 5 days a week for around 100 people.Been experimenting with the recipe and I think I got it finalised just today. I use 4 #10 cans of beans(which are a little less than a gallon each). About 3 cups of diced onions 3 sticks of butter 2 cups of molasses About 3 TBSP of ground mustard seed 1 pound of brown sugar and of course bacon… about 20 slices cooked and chopped and the bacon grease. I saute the onions in the butter and the bacon grease. Then everything else is added ,except the brown sugar,simmer for a couple hours,add the brown sugar. [/QUOTE] I’m a little surprised you haven’t added a bit of vinegar. Have you ever tried that? Also, why did you decide to use mustard seed rather than dry mustard? Oh, wait. I see you used ground mustard seed. Same as dry mustard. But the vinegar would be a must IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2008, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-in-baked-beans-yay-or-nay/452852/55 "2008-06-18T01:57:41Z")
[QUOTE=samclem] I’m a little surprised you haven’t added a bit of vinegar. Have you ever tried that? Also, why did you decide to use mustard seed rather than dry mustard? [/QUOTE] I have not tried vinegar, what kind and how much do ya figure would be good ?..Umm as far as the mustard,it probly is dry mustard,I’ll hafta look tomorrow ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2008, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-in-baked-beans-yay-or-nay/452852/56 "2008-06-18T02:37:09Z")
[QUOTE=MadTheSwine] I have not tried vinegar, what kind and how much do ya figure would be good ?..Umm as far as the mustard,it probly is dry mustard,I’ll hafta look tomorrow [/QUOTE] I would probably use at least a cup, considering how much brown sugar and molasses you use. White vinegar is just fine. Until you posted your recipe, I had no idea why I added vinegar to my recipe. But, evidently, the vinegar(or anything acidic) activates the dry mustard to release its flavor. I think anything between a cup and two cups will be fine. Maybe start with a cup, and next week try a batch with 1 1/2 cups, and trust your own taste buds. Also, I’m not sure why you wait to add the brown sugar. ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2008, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-in-baked-beans-yay-or-nay/452852/57 "2008-06-18T15:26:39Z")
[QUOTE=samclem] I would probably use at least a cup, considering how much brown sugar and molasses you use. White vinegar is just fine. Until you posted your recipe, I had no idea why I added vinegar to my recipe. But, evidently, the vinegar(or anything acidic) activates the dry mustard to release its flavor. I think anything between a cup and two cups will be fine. Maybe start with a cup, and next week try a batch with 1 1/2 cups, and trust your own taste buds. Also, I’m not sure why you wait to add the brown sugar. [/QUOTE] I’ll try that.One of the other kitchens served beans yesterday and had leftovers so I will use theirs today and make a new batch tomorrow.I’ll keep ya posted. Not sure why I add the brown sugar til the end either(I’m just wingin this cooking thing),I think its cus thats the way I did it the 1st time and havent switched it. Any other ingredients to add? By the end of summer I could have one heck of a batch of beans.Open to all suggestions, so throw em out here and I’ll experiment. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2008, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-in-baked-beans-yay-or-nay/452852/58 "2008-06-18T15:37:36Z")
[QUOTE=MadTheSwine] Any other ingredients to add? By the end of summer I could have one heck of a batch of beans.Open to all suggestions, so throw em out here and I’ll experiment. [/QUOTE] Gummi bears. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacon-in-baked-beans-yay-or-nay/452852.md?page=2)