Do Canned Beans Have Meat? Decoding the Ingredients

December 12, 2025 •

3 min read

While the natural, unprocessed form of a bean is always a plant-based food, many processed and canned varieties may include animal-derived ingredients like meat or lard. This surprising fact can be important for people following vegetarian, vegan, or certain dietary restrictions to know before purchasing.

Quick Summary

Some canned bean products, particularly baked beans and refried beans, often contain meat ingredients like pork, bacon, or lard for flavor. Checking product labels is the only definitive way to know if a specific canned bean product contains animal products.

Key Points

Not all canned beans are meat-free: While basic canned beans are just legumes, water, and salt, flavored varieties like baked beans and refried beans often contain meat ingredients for flavor.
Read the label carefully: For specific varieties like baked beans or refried beans, checking the ingredients list is crucial as they commonly include pork, bacon, or lard.
Look for vegetarian labels: Many brands now offer clearly marked vegetarian or vegan versions of products that traditionally contain meat.
Plain beans are a safe choice: Simple canned beans like black beans, kidney beans, and chickpeas, typically packed in just water and salt, are generally free of animal products.
Don't assume based on the product name: The name "Pork and Beans" is a clue, but other products like standard "Baked Beans" might also contain meat without it being obvious in the name.
Choose your own ingredients: To guarantee no meat, buy plain canned or dried beans and prepare them at home, allowing you full control over the ingredients.

Understanding the Different Types of Canned Beans

Not all canned beans are created equal, and the presence of meat largely depends on the type of bean and its preparation. Simple canned beans, like those containing only black beans or kidney beans, are typically just beans, water, and salt. However, when you introduce sauces or other flavorings, the ingredient list can change dramatically. This is where meat ingredients, used to add richness, are sometimes introduced.

Baked Beans and Pork

One of the most classic examples is canned baked beans. While versions like Heinz Vegetarian Beans explicitly state "no meat," other popular brands often contain pork or bacon. For instance, Bush's Original Baked Beans include cured bacon as an ingredient. Traditionally, a small piece of salt pork is added for fat and deep flavor during the cooking process. The inclusion of meat in baked beans is a long-standing practice, with canned pork and beans becoming a mass-produced product in the early 20th century.

Refried Beans and Lard

Refried beans are another common source of hidden animal products. In traditional Mexican recipes, and in many canned varieties, refried beans are made with lard (rendered pork fat) for a creamy texture and rich flavor. However, many brands now offer vegetarian versions that use vegetable oil instead. The only way to be certain is to look for a "vegetarian" label or inspect the ingredient list for lard or similar animal fats.

The Importance of Label Reading

For those adhering to a specific diet, reading the product label is not just recommended, it is essential. Manufacturers are required to list all ingredients, and a quick scan of the ingredients can prevent a dietary misstep. Don't assume that because beans are a plant-based food, the canned version will be too.

Comparison Table: Common Canned Bean Varieties


Bean Type	Typical Ingredients	Risk of Containing Meat	Label to Look For
Plain Canned Beans (e.g., black beans, kidney beans)	Beans, water, salt	Very Low	Check for just beans, water, salt
Baked Beans	Navy beans, sugar, spices, tomato sauce, pork fat/bacon	High	Look for "Vegetarian" or "No Meat"
Refried Beans	Pinto beans, oil or lard, seasonings	Moderate to High	Look for "Vegetarian" or check for 'lard'
Chili Beans	Pinto or kidney beans, sauce, spices, often with meat added	Moderate	Check for meat ingredients in sauce
Vegetarian Beans	Beans, tomato sauce, seasonings (explicitly no meat)	Very Low	Always labeled as "Vegetarian"

How to Verify Your Canned Beans

For those who prioritize a plant-based diet, here is a helpful checklist when at the grocery store:

Read the Product Name: The product name can be a major clue. "Pork and Beans" obviously contains meat, but some "Baked Beans" products also do. Look for labels like "Vegetarian Beans" from brands such as Heinz.
Check the Ingredient List: Lard, bacon, and pork fat are common animal products used to add flavor. A quick scan of the ingredients will reveal their presence.
Look for Certifications: Some products may carry vegetarian or vegan certification seals, providing an extra layer of assurance.
Consider Making Your Own: As an alternative, buying plain canned beans or dried beans allows you full control over the ingredients, ensuring no meat or animal by-products are included.

Making a Fully Informed Choice

The question of whether canned beans contain meat is not as straightforward as it seems. While the legume itself is plant-based, the sauces and seasonings used in processed products frequently include animal derivatives. Traditional recipes for baked beans and refried beans, in particular, commonly feature pork or lard. However, the rise in demand for plant-based options has led many companies to offer clearly labeled vegetarian and vegan alternatives. By understanding the typical ingredients in different bean products and diligently reading labels, consumers can confidently choose canned beans that align with their dietary needs. Always check the packaging, especially for popular varieties like baked or refried beans, to ensure you know exactly what is inside. For those wanting complete control, starting with plain canned or dried beans is the safest bet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not all canned baked beans are vegetarian. While brands like Heinz offer specific 'Vegetarian Beans,' many traditional baked bean recipes and brands use pork fat or bacon for flavor. It is essential to read the label to be sure.

Traditional refried beans are often made with lard (pork fat), meaning many canned versions contain meat. However, many companies now offer vegetarian refried beans that use vegetable oil instead. Look for a label specifically indicating 'vegetarian'.

"Pork and Beans" is a specific product name for beans with pork included in the recipe. Regular canned beans, such as kidney or black beans, are typically just the legumes in water and salt. The key difference lies in the added ingredients and flavorings.

Yes, for simple canned beans like black beans, cannellini beans, or chickpeas that are just packed in water and salt, it is safe to assume they are meat-free. The risk of hidden meat comes with more complex or pre-flavored products.

The use of pork or bacon in baked beans adds a rich, smoky flavor and fat to the dish. This has been a traditional practice for centuries and was incorporated into many mass-produced canned versions.

To ensure your canned beans are vegan, opt for plain canned beans (black, kidney, etc.) packed in just water and salt. For flavored varieties like baked or refried beans, check the label for vegan certifications or explicitly look for the absence of all animal products, including lard, pork, and animal-derived flavorings.

Not necessarily. While some brands, like Heinz, offer baked beans in tomato sauce that are explicitly vegetarian, others could potentially use animal-derived flavorings or stock. Always read the full ingredient list to be sure.