Grandma's Beans

Experience the heartwarming nostalgia of "Grandma's Beans," a soul-soothing dish brimming with rich, smoky flavors and tender pinto beans. Perfectly slow-simmered with crispy bacon, sautéed onions, garlic, and a medley of spices like smoked paprika and cumin, this classic recipe transforms simple pantry staples into a hearty, flavor-packed meal. A touch of brown sugar adds subtle sweetness, while diced tomatoes and vegetable broth create a luscious, savory base. Ideal for cozy dinners, this comforting one-pot dish pairs beautifully with cornbread or rice and is easy to customize with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish. Perfect for feeding a crowd, this 6-serving recipe requires just 15 minutes of prep and rewards you with hours of mouthwatering aroma as it cooks to perfection. Whether you’re a seasoned home chef or a beginner, "Grandma's Beans" will quickly become a treasured comfort food favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 81/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:195 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups dried pinto beans
• 6 slices bacon
• 1 large onion
• 4 units garlic cloves
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 15-ounce can canned diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 unit bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse and sort the dried pinto beans, discarding any debris or bad beans.

Step 2

Place the beans in a large bowl and cover with water. Let them soak overnight, or for at least 8 hours. Drain and rinse before use.

Step 3

In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon, crumble it, and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.

Step 4

Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add them to the pot with the bacon fat and sauté over medium heat until the onion is translucent and soft, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the smoked paprika and ground cumin, cooking for 1 minute to bloom the spices.

Step 6

Add the soaked and drained beans, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes (with their juice), crumbled bacon, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and the bay leaf to the pot. Stir to combine.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a lid. Simmer gently for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally and add more broth or water if needed to keep the beans submerged.

Step 8

Once the beans are cooked and the flavors have melded, remove the bay leaf.

Step 9

Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if desired.

Step 10

Serve warm in bowls, garnished with chopped fresh parsley, if desired. These beans pair wonderfully with cornbread or rice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2471.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1612.6

Total Fat 45.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 11.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11.7g
Cholesterol 56.0mg	0%
Sodium 7927.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 231.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 61.3g	0%
Total Sugars 53.0g
Protein 81.4g	0%

Vitamin D 7.7IU	0%
Calcium 598.9mg	0%
Iron 20.3mg	0%
Potassium 5656.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 24.7%

Protein: 19.6%

Carbs: 55.8%