'I compared Heinz Beanz to Tesco and other brands – one did tremendous job'

Whether it's for a Full English breakfast or jacket potato, baked beans always hit the spot. Now we revealed which ones are our favourites, from supermarket brands to Heinz Beanz

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Christine YounanDeputy Lifestyle Editor

Ashley Summerfield

10:04, 19 NOV 2023

Baked beans are undoubtably one of the most popular foods out there.

It always hits the spot, whether it's on your Full English or even smothered over your jacket potato. Now with the cost of living crisis, not everyone can afford the brands.

Fortunately many supermarket chains like Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and Asda have their own take on the saucy food. Switching to own-brand can save money, but is it any good?

Express.co.uk reporter Ashley Summerfield did the ultimate taste test to work out which supermarket brand sells the tastiest baked beans. Here's what she thought...

Heinz Beanz

The American food processing company began making its iconic beans in 1886, and since 2008, they have been sold in the UK under the name Heinz Beanz.

I picked up a tin for £1.40; while that might not sound outrageous, it is when you compare it to the price of some of the other beans. Depending on the supermarket, one tin can range in price from 90p to £1.40.

Its orange-red sauce has the perfect consistency, and its tomatoey taste is magnificent. It is the perfect meal for breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper, a snack, and of course, a campfire.

Can Heinz be matched or even beaten? I hope so, because otherwise, the whole "own-brand" debate is in jeopardy. Yes, there is a lot riding on this taste test.

Anyway, I digress; 9/10, it is a classic for a reason.

Tesco

I paid a reasonable 50p for Tesco's own-brand beans. Right from the onset, I could tell a difference between Heinz and Tesco.

The beans are lighter in colour, and the sauce is runnier. After tucking in, I was neither blown away nor disappointed. They're not as tomatoey as Heinz, and in general, there is less flavour.

However, for the price, they are decent, and you could always enhance the taste by adding some ketchup or spices.

I would give them a 6/10.

Sainsbury's

At 44p, Sainsbury's baked beans are the cheapest of the lot, and boy do they compete with Heinz. The sauce is a dark orange-red and has a thicker consistency than Tesco, but not as thick as Heinz.

When it comes to its taste, it is similar to Heinz – nice and tomatoey – but is slightly sweeter.

I am giving Sainsbury's an 8/10.

While this is one point lower than Heinz, it is a whole pound cheaper, so from now on I will be popping to Sainsbury's for my baked beans.

Morrisons

I forked out 49p for Morrison's own-brand. After slapping the beans on my toast, I sat at my dining room table (my sofa) with my head in my hands.

I was in a bean coma; I did not want to go on. But I am glad I did – well, that is what I would have said had they "bean" any good.

The beans are darker than Tesco's but lighter in colour than Heinz and Sainsbury's. When it comes to the sauce, it is too runny. Anyway, it was time to taste them.

After eating a mouthful, I was disappointed. Where is the flavour? Fine, there is some, but it is mind-numbingly boring. That being said, you could add something to the beans to give them flavour.

4/10 – unsatisfactory – I will not be recommending these beans to Jack.

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Asda

I handed over 50p for Asda's baked beans. They are a similar colour to Morrisons, but thankfully that is where the comparisons end. There is a tomatoey flavour there, but it is distant but definitely there.

It is slightly too runny, but is that even a negative? I have been portraying it as a strike against the beans throughout this piece, but you, the reader, might like that.

Finishing on a fairly positive note, I would give Asda a 6/10.