# Idea for baked beans **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 18, 2009, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-baked-beans/510587 "2009-09-18T14:08:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-baked-beans/510587/1 "2009-09-18T14:08:11Z")
There is a guy at work who brings the same lunch variety everday: a Tupperware bowl filled with a mixture of different items (pasta, onions, sausage… etc.) it’s always different mixtures. He told me he has some book with recipes that begins with a canned food and you add your own variety. So, I have a can of baked beans I want to experiment with. Can anyone suggest a variety I can add to it (beyond just hotdogs). I am sick of just having a sandwich everyday! ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-baked-beans/510587/2 "2009-09-18T23:54:22Z")
Well, you died a quick death, my little thread. Just too lame for this world. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-baked-beans/510587/3 "2009-09-18T23:59:57Z")
Shredded chicken? Shredded pork? Rice? All of the above? Are you just looking for stuff to add to the beans, or are you looking for recipes that involve a can of beans? I’m not sure what you mean by “add your own variety.” Are you just looking for toppings? ---
**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:** [September 19, 2009, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-baked-beans/510587/4 "2009-09-19T00:02:53Z")
Beans demand, at the very least: onions, garlic, sausage, more onions, some more sausage, and maybe some more onions. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotGrrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@PatriotGrrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotGrrrl)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-baked-beans/510587/5 "2009-09-19T00:04:41Z")
Chunks of ham (or turkey ham) are the obvious answer. ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-baked-beans/510587/6 "2009-09-19T00:21:06Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Shredded chicken? Shredded pork? Rice? All of the above? Are you just looking for stuff to add to the beans, or are you looking for recipes that involve a can of beans? I’m not sure what you mean by “add your own variety.” Are you just looking for toppings? You saved it! 🙂 What I mean, is what the others have posted; basically stuff to add to a can of beans to spice it up. Let’s say I add onions and garlic^3, do I need to cook that first, then add to the beans and heat the whole as usual in a microwave. Me no cook, ya know? Or if anyone wants to expand on the OP, go for it. I think my coworker once had some meal that started as a can of corn, then all kinds of stuff added in. Looked and smelled great! ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-baked-beans/510587/7 "2009-09-19T02:48:17Z")
Pork loin is so awesome with everything, I bet it’d be good with baked beans. You can get one that’s already marinated in a vacuum sealed pack, and it’s dead easy to cook (even I can do it!) Cook it, chop it into cubes, put it in with the baked beans. I bet some coleslaw would be good with it too - mixed in, even! ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-baked-beans/510587/8 "2009-09-19T05:21:30Z")
Baked Beans, a layer of chunked chicken, Pepper Jack and Swiss melted, some red cabbage, sugar and vinegar, slaw garnished with pickled jalapeos to top. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-baked-beans/510587/9 "2009-09-19T05:31:59Z")
Or make a Baked Bean Reuben… layered: Rye; then Corned beef sliced thin; the “topping” of baked beans mixed with Thousand Island Dresssing (Pickle Relish preferable), drained and rinsed sauerkraut, A touch of horseradish mustard; Swiss Cheese… grilled to perfection. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-baked-beans/510587/10 "2009-09-19T05:52:27Z")
Leave out the corned beef and use vegetarian baked beans for the true vegetarian (lacto-ovo) version of the meatless… Reu **bean**. ;)😃 I think it would be a good drinking snack for our vegetarian friends. Gooey and hearty. ---
**Author:** ![spoike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@spoike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spoike)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-baked-beans/510587/11 "2009-09-19T07:00:19Z")
This recipe apparently comes from Bush’s Baked Beans, but I can’t find it on their website, so I’m not sure where I really got it. Anyway, it’s quite tasty, but I think it’s even tastier when you replace the apple with a tin of drained pineapple tidbits. Apple Curry Beans 1 (28 oz) can vegetarian baked beans 1 cup thinly sliced carrot 1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper 1/2 cup sliced green onion 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 small Golden Delicious apple, chopped 1/2 teaspoon curry powder 1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger Sauté carrot, red pepper, and onion in oil over medium-high heat until crisp-tender. Combine vegetables, beans and remaining ingredients in a lightly greased 1 1/2-quart casserole dish. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-baked-beans/510587/12 "2009-09-19T17:23:38Z")
By the way: I think this originated as a feature in Men’s Health. Either way: [A Man, a can, a plan.](http://www.amazon.com/Man-Can-Plan-Great-Meals/dp/1579546072) ETA: There are a series of these cookbooks - you should be able to find them via the link. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-baked-beans/510587/13 "2009-09-19T18:15:08Z")
After you add all of those other things, add just a bit of either brewed coffee or a half-teaspoon of instant. It adds an interesting flavor to baked beans. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Knig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-baked-beans/510587/14 "2009-09-19T18:38:52Z")
I just mentioned [post=11573845]this[/post]. Must be baked bean day (where’s a yummy smilie when you need it?) ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-baked-beans/510587/15 "2009-09-19T18:52:17Z")
I don’t see any mention of green bell peppers. They go great with beans. And of course onions and ham which have been mentioned. And hot dogs 😉 ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-baked-beans/510587/16 "2009-09-19T21:56:38Z")
Bacon. Totally bacon. ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f08c70/32.png) [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Brother_Walker)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-baked-beans/510587/17 "2009-09-21T03:18:01Z")
ditto. Bacon. Li’l chunks of bacon. And new stuff. If you’re only adding small amounts of stuff to ‘cut’ the beans with, you evil baked bean drug dealer, then I would say fair mixes of: corn peas relish (really! I like it sweet!) baby corn etc… gotta get your roughage, eh? (PS: I’m trying to change my diet, so bear with me.) ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-baked-beans/510587/18 "2009-09-21T03:35:08Z")
Something I do on occasion that is very good- brown some hamburger and onion together, and mix with a can of baked beans, and add a cup or so of frozen corn, heat thru. It’s very, very yummy! ---
**Author:** ![ThirdOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@ThirdOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThirdOne)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-baked-beans/510587/19 "2009-09-21T21:22:54Z")
Ditto what PapSett said. I dislike any type of bell pepper, so that would never be an option for me. To sassy up the hot dog/bean combo, add a can of pineapple chunks. Girl Scouts called it wahini beanies lol ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-baked-beans/510587/20 "2009-09-22T00:05:19Z")
I like lettuce and tomato and onion in beans. A little instant or brewed coffee and/or mustard powder makes them zing. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-baked-beans/510587.md?page=2)