Easy Grandma Browns Baked Beans Recipe

Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans recipe was one of my favorite childhood memories. The hearty beans and sweet-savory flavors made it the ideal comfort food. I still remember those special times with my family when I smell these beans cooking.

I’ve tried many baked beans recipes, but nothing beats Grandma Brown’s homemade goodness. It’s a timeless dish that families and pals love. These beans are perfect for barbecues and cold meals.

Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans are unique because each bite combines tastes and textures. The savory bacon, sweet brown sugar and molasses, and tangy Worcestershire sauce make an irresistible balance.

These baked beans were a hit at a family meeting, even with those who said they didn’t like beans! It proves that this dish can win over even the pickiest eaters.

How To Make Grandma Browns Baked Beans

One such dish that fits the bill perfectly is Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans. This iconic dish has been a favorite in the northeastern United States for over six decades and has a distinct smoky flavor that is hard to resist.

In this blog post, I will share step-by-step instructions on how to make Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans, answer some frequently asked questions, and provide some tips and tricks to ensure that your beans turn out perfectly every time.

Grandma Browns Baked Beans Ingredients

To make a batch of Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans, you’ll need the following ingredients:

  • 1 pound dry navy beans
  • 8 cups water
  • 1/2 pound bacon
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Step BY Step Instructions To Make Grandma Browns Baked Beans

Soak the Beans

The first step in making Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans is to soak the navy beans overnight.

Rinse the beans in cold water, then place them in a large pot or bowl and cover them with water.

Make sure there’s enough water to cover the beans by a few inches. Cover the pot or bowl and let the beans soak overnight.

Cook the Beans

The next day, drain the beans and rinse them with fresh water. Place the beans in a large pot or Dutch oven and cover with 8 cups of water.

Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and let the beans simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until they are tender but still hold their shape.

Cook the Bacon and Onion

While the beans are cooking, cook the bacon in a large skillet until it is crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and let it cool on a paper towel-lined plate. In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion until it is soft and translucent.

Prepare the Sauce

In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, molasses, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.

Combine the Ingredients

Once the beans are tender, drain them and add them to a large baking dish or Dutch oven. Add the sautéed onions and crumbled bacon. Pour the sauce over the beans and mix well.

Bake the Beans

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cover the beans with a lid or aluminum foil and bake for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until the beans are thick and the sauce has caramelized.

Serve and Enjoy

Remove the beans from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with additional bacon or chopped parsley, if desired.

Grandma Browns Baked Beans Variations To Try

For a meat-free version, omit the bacon and use veggie broth instead of chicken broth. Soy sauce or a vegan option can replace Worcestershire sauce.

Jalapenos, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce give beans fire. Spice levels are customizable.

Add a spoonful of smoked paprika for smokiness. This will give your beans a unique taste that complements the sauce.

Diced ham, sausage, or minced beef adds meatiness to beans. This will enhance taste and texture.

These beans cap baked potatoes well. Cook the beans as directed and serve on a fried potato. For a filling meal, add grated cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chives.

Grandma Browns Baked Beans Serving Ideas

These beans are great as a side food. Grilled poultry, hamburgers, hot dogs, or barbecue ribs go well with them. Grilled meats pair well with beans’ sweet and savory tastes.

With cornmeal: Serve baked beans with cornbread for a traditional Southern meal. The cornbread’s savory and faintly sweet taste complements the beans’ sweetness.

grandma browns baked beans process
grandma Brown’s baked beans process

These beans are hearty enough to be a main meal. Serve them with rice or steamed vegetables for a full meal.

At a picnic or barbecue: These beans are ideal. Reheat them on the grill or oven. Partygoers will love them!

Cheese and onions: For a tasty twist, top the beans with grated cheddar cheese and diced onions. It enhances the dish’s taste and texture.

How To Store & Reheat Grandma Browns Baked Beans?

Storing:

  • Cool fried beans to room temperature.
  • Put the beans in an airtight jar or plastic bag.
  • Date and label the package.
  • Beans can be refrigerated for 4 days or frozen for 3 months.

Reheating:

  • Take out the baked beans.
  • Refrigerate thawed beans overnight.
  • Put the beans in a microwave-safe pot.
  • Heat beans in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring periodically.
  • Cover the dish with a lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap and cook on high for 2-3 minutes until heated through, stirring midway.

Note: Make sure the beans are cooked properly before serving. If the beans are dry during reheating, add chicken stock or water.

Faq’s Grandma Browns Baked Beans

Can I use a different type of bean?

While canned beans are a convenient option, they will not give you the same flavor and texture as dry beans. To get the best results, it’s recommended that you use dry navy beans for this recipe.

Can I make these beans in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can make these beans in a slow cooker. Simply follow the recipe instructions and cook on low for 8-10 hours.

Can I make Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can make Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans in a slow cooker. Simply follow the same recipe, but cook the beans on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Make sure to brown the bacon and onion in a separate pan before adding them to the slow cooker.

grandma browns baked beans recipe

Easy Grandma Browns Baked Beans Recipe

Grandma Brown's Baked Beans are simple and delicious. These beans are delicious as a side or main entrée. Use my recipe to inspire your own.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 110 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound dry navy beans
  • 8 cups water
  • 1/2 pound bacon
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • The first step in making Grandma Brown's Baked Beans is to soak the navy beans overnight. Rinse the beans in cold water, then place them in a large pot or bowl and cover with water. Make sure there's enough water to cover the beans by a few inches. Cover the pot or bowl and let the beans soak overnight.
  • The next day, drain the beans and rinse them with fresh water. Place the beans in a large pot or Dutch oven and cover with 8 cups of water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and let the beans simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until they are tender but still hold their shape.
  • While the beans are cooking, cook the bacon in a large skillet until it is crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and let it cool on a paper towel-lined plate. In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion until it is soft and translucent.
  • In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, molasses, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
  • Once the beans are tender, drain them and add them to a large baking dish or Dutch oven. Add the sautéed onions and crumbled bacon. Pour the sauce over the beans and mix well.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cover the beans with a lid or aluminum foil and bake for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until the beans are thick and the sauce has caramelized.
  • Remove the beans from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with additional bacon or chopped parsley, if desired.
Keyword Grandma Browns Baked Beans Recipe

Did you like the recipe?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 1

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?