Next Time You Make Tacos, Break Out A Can Of Baked Beans

Tacos are always full of surprises. Just when you think you have worn out your favorite taco recipes, something new pops up and revives your love for this Mexican classic all over again. One new ingredient, and the repetitive boredom is no longer there. It can be anything, including baked beans. Don't let its role in many English staples fool you. This canned food is no less formidable in tacos.

At first glance, baked beans seem out of place, but that's far from the truth. Those sauce-laden beans impart pops of flavor that perfectly complement the tacos' signature taste. Their nutty depth folds right into the savory meat, layering each bite with a complex richness. At the base, there's a smoky tang coating every morsel, so not a single bite is bland or uninteresting. On top of that, the molasses' sweet flair gives the intense heat somewhere to land instead of sharply jagging against your palate. Even if you go all out on the paprika and chili powder, the tacos remain pleasantly flavorful and balanced.

As far as texture goes, canned baked beans don't disappoint, either. They cling to everything, from ground beef and tiny chopped veggies to the tortilla itself. That little bit of saucy thickness makes a world of difference, especially when it's accompanied by the starchy beans. That's how you get a complete taco experience, one where flavor and texture come in exhilarating harmony.

It's straightforward enough to use canned baked beans as a taco topping. They're already cooked and seasoned, so all you have to do is pop open the can and mix them with the toppings. Any of the usual taco staples will do: tomatoes, jalapeños, red onions, bell peppers, cilantro, and more. Keep them company with a few spoonfuls of ground beef and shredded cheese. Just to lace in a hearty warmth as well as fully melding everything together, you can bake the tacos for 10 minutes or so, until the cheese has melted and the tortillas are crisp.

It's just as well that canned baked beans, despite their pre-cooked disposition, can still be transformed in many ways. As they take on new flavors, so do your tacos. Consider adding Mexican chorizo as you're reheating the beans for a smoky, savory edge. Extra spicy baked beans, loaded with dried chile peppers, smoked paprika, chili powder, and cayenne pepper, will give you fiery tacos that perfectly embody the intensity of Mexican cuisine. If it's umami that you want, Worcestershire sauce is the magical baked beans addition to try. Alternatively, it only takes some draining, mashing, and extra seasoning to turn the baked beans into refried beans — yet another Mexican classic. Decadently smooth and soft, this version of baked beans makes a delicious spread over the tortilla, where it lays a nutty base that boosts the flavor and texture of other toppings.