Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans Recipe: an Age-Old Recipe

Grandma Brown’s baked beans are nostalgic for many people, including us, because they bring back the childhood memory of our mothers making this recipe. This recipe has been passed down in many households for generations, and people have tweaked it to make it tastier.

These baked beans go great with rice, and you can serve them as a side dish or even dessert. But the original recipe is truly a classic one. It is easy and quick to prepare but has a lot of flavor and is filled with nutrients. Who doesn’t love food that’s also healthy, right?

So, let’s not wait anymore and jump into Grandma Brown’s baked beans recipe!

Copycat Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans Recipe

If you are a fan of Grandma Brown’s baked beans, then I guess you are excited to try this recipe out. The recipe was once a secret but now has become an open secret for all.

The baked beans are best made with medium-sized navy beans, which are slow-cooked with different spices and molasses. All the ingredients mix together really well to give a rich, savory, and sweet flavor. Aside from being tasty, baked beans also contain fiber, protein, minerals, and vitamins.

Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans Ingredients

The essential ingredients for the recipe are simple and can be easily found around anyone’s kitchen. So, this recipe won’t be so hard for you to make.

All you need is the following:

• 1 pound of Navy Beans
• 1 teaspoon of Baking Soda
• 1 teaspoon of Salt
• ¼ cup Brown Sugar
• 1 Bay Leaf
• 1 Medium-sized Chopped Onion
• 3 oz. of Ham or Cooked Bacon
• Water to cover

How to Make Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans: Instructions

Step 1: You need six cups of water and pour it into a large pot. Now, add the baking soda to the water and bring it to a boil.

Step 2: Wash your beans properly, so there is no dirt or debris. Now, add them to the boiling water and let them boil for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Turn off the stove’s heat and cover the pot with a lid. Let the beans rest in the pot overnight.

Step 4: After you have let your beans overnight, wash them thoroughly.

Step 5: Get an oven-safe baking dish and put the beans in it. Now, put all the remaining ingredients listed in the baking dish and give it a good stir.

Step 6: Add water to the dish until the beans are fully covered. Then, cover it up and put it in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 to 6 hours.

Step 7: You must check the beans every hour to ensure water is still covering them. If you see the beans drying, add some water to them.

Step 8: Take them out; you will see the bean dish has thickened and is no longer runny. That’s when you know it is done!

Step 9: Now, you can serve them for dinner, lunch, potluck, or family gatherings. 

You may also like: Barefoot Contessa Zucchini Bread Recipe

Old Fashioned Baked Beans Using Different Appliances

We have been asked various times whether it is possible to make the old-age baked beans recipe in a crockpot, instant pot, or on the stovetop. We say, why not! If you don’t have an oven, we are just the right place to come.

In this part, you will be able to use Grandma Brown’s baked beans recipe ingredients and make them using the appliance you have at hand. We have done some tweaking and found the right instructions for you to follow to make the baked beans.

1. Cooking Instructions for Instant Pot Baked Beans

Step 1: Clean the beans properly and add them to the instant pot with water, baking soda, and salt. Now, cook the beans on the “Manual” setting for about 20 to 25 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally.

Step 2: After cooking the beans, strain them out and wash them under cold water. Set them aside.

Step 3: Now, turn the instant pot setting to “Saute” and fry the bacon until it starts browning. Drain any leftover grease and move on to the next step.

Step 4: Now add the onions to the pot and cook them until they become translucent.

Step 5: Turn off the instant pot and start adding the brown sugar, bay leaf, and beans. Add water to cover the beans and stir them well.

Step 6: Now seal the instant pot and close the steam valve. Set the settings to “Manual” and cook for 15 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally.

Step 7: Open the lid carefully because there will be hot steam coming out. Stir the mixture again and serve.

2. Cooking Instructions for Crockpot Baked Beans

Step 1: Add salt and a teaspoon of baking soda to 6 cups of water in a large pot and boil it.

Step 2: While that boils, wash your beans properly and add them to the boiling water. Let everything simmer for 10 minutes and then turn off the heat and let it rest overnight.

Step 3: Set your crockpot on low, add the bacon, and fry them until brown. Then, add the chopped onions and fry them until translucent or golden brown.

Step 4: Now, pour the remaining ingredients along with the beans. Cover the beans with water and stir everything well. Close the lid.

Step 5: Cook the beans on low for about 6 to 7 hours. Avoid opening the lid often.

Step 6: Check the beans only 30 minutes before it is ready. If the beans are not done yet, and almost all the water has evaporated, add a little more water and seal it. Let it cook for another hour.

Step 7: Open the lid carefully and serve it hot with rice or potato salad. Enjoy a delicious meal!

3. Cooking Instructions for Stovetop Baked Beans

Step 1: In a pot, add a teaspoon of baking soda, 6 cups of water, and salt. Let the water boil, and add the beans to it. Simmer everything for 10 minutes and leave it overnight to rest.

Step 2: Take a large pot and heat it on low. Add bacon to it and cook it until crispy. Then, add onions and fry them until translucent.

Step 3: Drain your well-rested beans and wash them with cold water. Add bay leaf, brown sugar, and the drained beans into the pot. Cover everything with water and stir them well.

Step 4: Now boil the mixture for 15 minutes and then lower the heat of the stove. Cover the pot with a lid leaving a small gap. Let everything simmer for 2 to 3 hours.

Step 5: If the beans are drying too quickly, add water to them. If the mixture seems too mushy 30 minutes before the cooking time ends, uncover the pot and let it cook without the lid.

Step 6: Then, take it off the stove and serve it hot.

A tip for all the methods : Old beans will take time to cook, and new beans will take less time. So, keep that in mind!

Bush’s Baked Beans Secret Recipe

A raving baked bean that’s been dominating the stores is Bush’s baked beans. They are great side dishes at a BBQ party and go great with meat items. These beans taste tangy, sweet, spicy, and smoky. What a combination, right?

If you want Bush’s baked beans for a BBQ or potluck, you are at the right place. With a few simple ingredients and in less than an hour, you will have a delicious, hot baked bean meal.

Just follow our instructions, and you will be the star of the party. Let’s get to it!

Ingredients for Bush’s Baked Beans

• 28 oz. of Bush’s Baked Beans (2 cans)
• 1 Small-sized Onion (diced)
• Bacon, 5 slices
• 2 tbsp. of Ketchup
• 2 tsp. of Yellow Mustard
• 2 tbsp. of Brown Sugar
• 3 tbsp of Molasses or Maple Syrup

How to Make Bush’s Baked Beans: Instructions

Step 1: Like the previous steps, prepare the beans and let them rest overnight.

Step 2: Now, take a skillet and crisp up your bacon, but not too much. You’ll still need the fat to add flavor to the beans. Add onions to the same pan to fry them until they turn brown or translucent. This step will help elevate the flavor.

Step 3: Preheat the oven for 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 4: Use an oven-safe dish and add the onions, maple syrup or molasses, brown sugar, mustard, and ketchup to it. Mix everything well and add water to cover everything. Now, add the bacon strips on top in a single layer.

Step 5: Bake the whole thing for 30 to 40 minutes until the dish is thick and the slices of bacon get more crispy.

Step 6: Take it out and enjoy it hot.

Related Article: Panera’s Green Smoothie Recipe

FAQ

End of Baked Beans

Baked beans are a healthy yet yummy meal that will make your family happy. Moreover, it can be made totally vegetarian just by omitting the meat in the recipes. It will still taste great.

With Grandma Brown’s baked beans recipe, we hope we are successful in giving you the nostalgic taste that you were looking for. We have also provided different baking techniques as well as Bush’s baked beans recipe. We hope you don’t overcook your beans, and have a great day!