Grandma Brown's Beans

Experience the nostalgic, heartwarming flavors of *Grandma Brown's Beans*, a classic comfort food that’s slow-cooked to perfection. This recipe combines tender, creamy navy beans with crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and a rich, smoky-sweet sauce made from ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, and a touch of Dijon mustard. Infused with the tangy brightness of apple cider vinegar and the depth of smoked paprika, every bite is bursting with a perfectly balanced blend of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors. Baked low and slow for hours, the sauce thickens beautifully, creating a hearty dish that’s perfect as a side for family gatherings or as a star at your next barbecue. Simple to prepare but loaded with flavor, these baked beans bring a timeless homemade touch to your table. Keywords: "Grandma Brown's Beans recipe," "homemade baked beans," "classic comfort food," "slow-cooked beans."

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:300 mins

Total Time:330 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried navy beans
• 6 slices bacon
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 6 cups water
• 1 cup ketchup
• 0.5 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the dried navy beans thoroughly under cold water. Place them in a large pot and cover with 6 cups of water. Let the beans soak overnight or for at least 8 hours.

Step 2

Drain and rinse the beans. Refill the pot with fresh water, ensuring the beans are covered by at least 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1.5-2 hours until the beans are tender. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).

Step 4

In a large skillet, cook the bacon slices over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then crumble into small pieces. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings in the skillet.

Step 5

In the same skillet with the bacon drippings, sauté the chopped onion over medium heat until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked beans, sautéed onions, crumbled bacon, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and apple cider vinegar. Mix well to coat the beans evenly.

Step 7

Transfer the mixture to a large oven-safe baking dish or Dutch oven. Cover with a lid or aluminum foil.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 1.5-2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. If the beans appear dry, add a splash of water.

Step 9

After baking, remove the cover and bake for an additional 20 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.

Step 10

Allow the beans to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2442.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2439.9

Total Fat 27.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.0g
Cholesterol 47.5mg	0%
Sodium 4607.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 445.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 72.0g	0%
Total Sugars 156.8g
Protein 118.9g	0%

Vitamin D 7.7IU	0%
Calcium 934.6mg	0%
Iron 26.8mg	0%
Potassium 7509.3mg	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: 9.7%

Protein: 19.0%

Carbs: 71.3%