Baked beans are the perfect meal to freeze, whether you’re cooking a batch in advance or saving leftovers. This guide makes freezing baked beans a breeze.
Freeze-ability Index
How Long in Freezer
6 months
Best Stored In…
Airtight container, Mason Jar, or freezer bag
How to Thaw
Refrigerator
What to Expect
No change
Can I Re-Freeze?
Not recommended
Freezing Baked Beans—Homemade vS Canned
Yes, you can freeze both homemade and canned baked beans and you’d never know they were frozen. Baked beans are an excellent choice for batch cooking and freezing into meals.
Can Baked Beans Be Frozen In Glass Jars?
Baked beans can be safely frozen in glass jars (aka Mason jars). Here are step-by-step instructions on how to freeze food in Mason Jars. This guide will help you avoid broken glass in your freezer and a botched batch of baked beans (how’s that for alliteration!)
How To Freeze Baked Beans In A Container OR Mason Jar
Equipment
- A spoon
- Clean airtight, freezable container OR a Mason Jar
- Salt
- Freezer labels
- A permanent marker
- Space at the back of your freezer
Instructions
- Let the baked beans come to room temperature. If you put hot baked beans straight into the freezer, the container can break because of a dramatic change in temperature.
- Fill the container or Mason Jar with baked beans. Important: leave 1-2 inches of room at the top of the container or Mason Jar to let the frozen beans expand.
- Sprinkle some salt in with the beans. It’ll stop them from becoming mushy when you defrost them.
- If your baked beans have meat (like pork), cover the meat with sauce to stop it from drying out in the freezer.
- Close the container, sealing it tightly. For Mason Jars, screw on the lid but leave it loose to tighten later.
- Write today’s date on a freezer label and stick it to the container.
- Store the container at the back of the freezer. Avoid putting the container in the freezer door, which isn’t as cold as the rest of the freezer.
The Best Airtight Meal Prep Containers (FineDine)
• Over 2,700 Reviews
• 4.5 out of 5 Stars
These airtight glass containers from FineDine don’t leak or absorb food smells, they’re oven-safe, freezer-safe, microwavable, and affordable.
How To Freeze Baked Beans In A Freezer Bag
Equipment
- A spoon
- Resealable, plastic freezer bags
- Salt
- Freezer labels
- A permanent marker
- Space at the back of your freezer
Instructions
- Let the baked beans come to room temperature.
- Sprinkle some salt in with the beans. It’ll stop them from becoming mushy when you defrost them.
- Fill the freezer bags with baked beans. Tip: Use small bags for faster freezing and thawing.
- Gently squeeze the air out of the bag before sealing it.
- Write today’s date on a freezer label and stick it to the bag. Store the bag at the back of your freezer.
Best Practices For Freezing Baked Beans
- Use smaller containers or freezer bags for faster freezing and thawing.
- If you’re cooking baked beans for frozen meals in advance, here are two useful tips:
- Undersoak or undercook the beans, and they won’t be as mushy when defrosted.
- Cook a bit more sauce than what the recipe calls for; it’ll protect the beans and meat while frozen.
- Never put a can of baked beans directly in the freezer—it may burst.
Freezing Baked Beans – FAQ
Here are a few questions we’re frequently asked on the subject of freezing baked beans:
Don’t freeze uncooked beans. They won’t cook well after defrosting. It’s OK to leave beans slightly undercooked before freezing (it’s a best practice when it comes to freezing baked beans.)
Never put a can of baked beans directly into the freezer—it may burst. Put canned baked beans into a container or bag before freezing them.
Yup. These beans are canned, so you can freeze them—just take them out of the can first.
Absolutely. Just let them cool before you put them into an airtight container, glass jar, or freezer bag.
Equipment Shopping List
I made this quick list for you in case you noticed that you were low on freezer bags or realized it was time for a new slotted spoon (I mean, you do deserve a present after all!)
I’ve either used these tools or added them to my own shopping list because they’re affordable and they get great reviews. Add them to your next Amazon order!
The Best Slotted Spoon (OXO)
• Over 1,000 Reviews
• 4.5 out of 5 Stars
• Solid, stylish, & dishwasher safe
The Ultimate Freezer Bags (Hefty)
• Over 2,000 Reviews
• 4.5 out of 5 Stars
• Tough and easy to fill
The Handiest Freezer Labels (Chinco)
• Hundreds of Reviews
• 4.5 out of 5 Stars
• Water-resistant, easy to remove, no residue
The Best Waxed Paper (Reynolds)
• Hundreds of Reviews
• 5 out of 5 Stars
• Amazon’s Choice
How Long Do Baked Beans Last In The Freezer?
Baked beans can stay in the freezer for up to 6 months.
How to Thaw Frozen Baked Beans
Slow defrosting is the best way to thaw frozen baked beans. This stops the beans from becoming mushy.
If you’re short on time, you can cook the beans directly. But beware—your beans may turn out mushy.
How To Thaw Baked Beans In The Fridge
Equipment
- A plate OR a towel
Instructions
- Place the container or freezer bag of frozen baked beans on a plate or towel, and put it into the refrigerator.
- Leave the beans to thaw in the fridge overnight.
- Gently reheat the baked beans after defrosting.
How To Thaw Baked Beans In The Microwave
Equipment
- A microwave-safe bowl
- Waxed paper OR a microwavable cover
- A spoon
Instructions
- Run the container(s) or freezer bag(s) under warm/hot water to loosen the baked beans.
- Empty the container(s) or freezer bag(s) into a microwave-safe bowl.
- Place the bowl in the microwave with waxed paper or a microwavable cover over-top.
- Microwave the baked beans at 50% power for 5 minutes.
- Take the beans out of the microwave and stir them.
- Microwave the baked beans again at 100% power for 1 minute, then stir them. Repeat this step two more times.
- Gently reheat the baked beans after defrosting.
How To Thaw Baked Beans Over the Stove
Equipment
- A pot
- A spoon
- Water
- Stovetop
Instructions
- Run the container(s) or freezer bag(s) under warm/hot water to loosen the baked beans.
- Pour the beans into a pot and place it on low-medium heat on the stove.
- Add a little water to the pot.
- Heat until the baked beans have defrosted. Stir occasionally.
- Gently reheat the baked beans after defrosting.
What to Expect After Defrosting Baked Beans
The texture and taste of baked beans will not change if you defrost them the refrigerator. You’d never know they were frozen in the first place due to the slow thaw in the fridge.
Quickly defrosting baked beans in the microwave or over the stove may cause the beans to become mushy.
Can Baked Beans Be Refrozen?
We don’t recommend refreezing baked beans. Beans lose their firmness after freezing. If you refreeze thawed beans, they will become mushier and lose their flavor.
Ok, But What About…
Do you know a better way for freezing baked beans? Or are you looking for info on something else? Leave a comment below or email us—we’d love to hear from you!
Sources