Are you wondering what to serve with baked beans? Baked beans are a balanced meal of delicious flavor and texture. Many find this dish both energizing and comforting.
Traditionally a Native American dish, baked beans comprises parboiled white beans, later stewed or baked in a tomato sauce. Additional ingredients like bacon and ham can add a salty and earthy flavor to the dish. The flavor of the tomato sauces is front and center, with a sweet aftertaste that lingers.
Best Side Dishes to Serve With Baked Beans
Baked beans are a very simple dish, so you have to pair them with a side dish that complements or contrasts the flavor profile. The beans are very soft and don’t waste time melting in your mouth. This makes a side dish with more texture an excellent fit for baked beans.
1. Toast
Baked beans and toast have always gone hand in glove when it comes to pairings. This iconic British staple has been around since the 1920s, gaining popularity during the Second World War as a cheap convenience meal. Consistently featured in the full British Breakfast together, they are a match made for each other.
The simple yet delicious combination pairs amazingly with the contrast in flavors and textures. Bread is bland and allows the flavor of baked beans to come through. While the texture of the bread allows for soaking up the sauce of the beans.
2. Scrambled Eggs
Scrambled eggs with toast is a hearty and healthy breakfast combination. Although the eggs are incredibly light, this meal will fill you up due to the high content of fiber in baked beans.
Simple and easy to make, the scrambled eggs elevates the taste of the saucy baked beans. They are both filled with plenty of nutrients and can be a great breakfast idea for busy people.
3. Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are a brilliant way to introduce more protein into meals for children. Baked beans are a hit with younger children as they embody a flavor and texture profile that they enjoy. You could decide to mix cut-up hot dog sausages with the baked beans like a stew. Or you could serve them separately.
It’s also a classic summer cookout food, with the smoky sausages adding more flavor to the dish. All the flavors go well together with savory meeting sweet in perfect harmony. The meaty texture of the sausage contrasts beautifully with the saucy baked beans. This creates a balance and burst of flavors.
4. Baked Ham
If you’re looking to add more complex flavors to your dish of baked beans, baked ham is your “man”. While any meat goes well with baked beans, the flavors that ham brings to the table are second to none.
Ham has a succulent, salty flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of baked beans. The chewier texture of ham is an excellent contrast to the soft stew-like texture of baked beans.
5. Fresh Salad
If you’re opting for something light and healthy, a bowl of fresh salad with baked beans is the best bet. Salads are healthy, refreshing, and easy to prepare. To make the meal well-rounded nutritionally, use vegetables rich in nutrients.
The fresh vegetables offer a new level of flavor to your dish. They are earthy and fresh, and, with a creamy dressing, the salad brings an element of tartness. Salad vegetables tend to be crunchy, adding texture to the dish.
6. Cornbread
This Southern staple paired with baked beans is a fantastic comfort food combo. It’s a hearty and filling meal, leaving you completely satisfied. You may decide to make a sweet or savory cornbread recipe. Either one goes well with the beans.
This meal is a perfect marriage of sweet, earthy, and savory, with the textures complementing each other well. The spongy texture of the bread allows it to soak up the sauce of the beans while adding flavor.
7. Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a creamy, delicious dish and will pair fantastically with baked beans. It’s a robust side dish bursting with flavors and is sure to fill you up.
The buttery cheesiness of macaroni and cheese is enhanced by the more earthy baked beans and sweet tomato sauce. They both have similar textures, making them easy for the whole family to enjoy. And the meal is nutritionally balanced as it is loaded with fat, protein, and fiber from the baked beans.
8. Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs and baked beans are a perfect combination for a picnic on a sunny day. Light and delicious, they pair well with the baked beans and offer a truckload of nutrients.
The deviled egg filling is made of egg yolk, mustard, mayonnaise, and seasoning. This tangy center elevates the taste of bland egg whites and adds complex flavor to the dish.
9. Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches
Baked beans are always a delight, accompanied by grilled meats and barbecue chicken sandwiches are no exception. This combination will have your taste buds singing in pure pleasure from the flavors.
The barbecued chicken brings a juicy, smoky flavor to this dish. Salty meats on buns with a bowl of baked beans are just what is needed for a perfect summer day. You can mix some BBQ sauce with the baked beans for the ultimate burst of flavor. The chicken, bread, and baked beans sauce perfectly contrast each other, making it a festival of textures.
10. Scotch Pie
Scotch pie is a Scottish delicacy also known as shell pie. It’s a double-crusted pie filled with meat. This dish pairs well with baked beans and forms a classic combination.
The soft texture of the baked bean is in contrast with the flaky crust and juicy meats within. A lovely combination of sweet and savory, this dish is a British favorite.
11. Hamburgers
Hamburgers are a crowd favorite at any cookout. They offer a great combination of carbohydrates, protein, and vegetables. With so many toppings to choose from, hamburgers and baked beans are an ideal pairing.
Baked beans bring simplicity and subtleness to the elaborate and complex hamburgers crammed with different flavors and textures. The sweet flavors of baked beans marry all the flavors well and prevent them from overwhelming your taste buds.
12. Soup
A combination of soup and baked beans is the best option if you’re in the mood for something light. This simple combination will leave you satisfied without being heavy.
It’s excellent for convalescent individuals who may find it hard to keep food down. Vegetable soup or any light-flavored soup you prefer will pair perfectly with baked beans.
Conclusion
Baked beans are a great dish that tastes amazing. Pairing sides with a simple dish like this can be tricky. One must have dishes that don’t overshadow its earthy flavors yet are flavorful enough to elevate the baked beans.