Answer: Freezing baked beans is possible if you plan to use them in the freezer.
Baked beans will keep easily in the freezer for up 6 months if they are frozen first, then sealed tightly and labeled with the date of freezing. Frozen baked beans should be thawed before consumption, as this may take 2 hours or more, depending on your package size. But remember to move any other raw food away from the baked beans prior to cleaning-up!
How to Freeze Baked Beans
Freezing baked beans is an easy way to preserve them for later use. Beans that have been canned or frozen will last much longer than those that have not been prepared in such a manner, and can be used whenever desired. Here are several ways that you can freeze baked beans:
Baked bean recipes often call for “one can” of beans. Since you can not freeze a single can, it is important to know how to freeze baked beans before you make your favorite dish.
Freezable Baked Bean Container: You can use any freezer safe container for this method of freezing; Tupperware, food grade plastic containers and Ziploc bags all work well.
Place the baked beans in the desired container and allow them to cool to room temperature (about half an hour). Cover and seal the container and place it in the freezer. The beans will keep indefinitely when stored properly in the freezer.
Freezable Baked Bean Container w/Airtight Seal: Another way that you can freeze baked beans is by using a jar or other airtight sealable storage container.
Prepare the beans exactly as you would if you were going to serve them immediately and pour them into a container that has an airtight seal. Seal the container and freeze it until needed. You can also freeze cooked beans in freezer bags or other freezer safe containers with airtight seals if desired, but they must be consumed within a month for best results.
Other Storage Methods: Other ways to freeze baked beans include freezing them after cooking or placing leftovers from your meal in the refrigerator overnight before placing them in a freezer bag for storage.
General Tips:
Always allow your baked beans to cool to room temperature before placing them in a freezer-safe container for storage. If you place the hot beans in the freezer, they will raise the temperature of the freezer and cause other foods to spoil faster.
Freezing leftovers from a meal are not recommended because most people do not know how long baked beans will last in a refrigerator before going bad.
This makes it harder to judge when the food should be thrown out after being stored for several days or more. If you have leftover baked beans that you plan on freezing, place them in the refrigerator overnight before placing them in a freezer bag for storage as mentioned above.
How Long Can You Freeze Baked Beans?
Baked beans can be frozen in airtight containers for up to 6 months. Once thawed and reheated, they should taste as good as the day they were initially prepared. Frozen beans maintain their quality until their “best before” date is reached; however, we cannot speak to the nutritional value of thawed and refrigerated beans versus those kept in a deep freezer. If desired, we recommend reducing salt intake when preparing baked beans from a previously-frozen state.
