Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans

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Grandma Brown’s baked beans are a tasty treat you can make at home. This copycat recipe lets you enjoy the classic flavor without buying canned beans. You can create these yummy beans with simple ingredients like navy beans, ham, and brown sugar.

The recipe takes time but is easy to follow. You’ll soak the beans overnight and cook them for several hours. This slow cooking makes the beans soft and flavorful. The result is a comforting side dish that’s perfect for family meals or picnics.

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans at home:

• 1 pound navy beans
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 6 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 ounces ham or cooked bacon, chopped
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 medium onion, chopped (optional)
• 1 bay leaf (optional)

You’ll also want to have extra water on hand for cooking. Make sure to soak your beans overnight for the best results.

Remember, you can adjust the amount of sugar or salt to suit your taste. The onion and bay leaf are optional, but they add nice flavor.

For the ham or bacon, you can use either. Chopped ham gives a meatier texture, while bacon adds a smoky flavor. Pick your favorite!

Instructions

Start by boiling 6 cups of water in a big pot. Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda and stir it in. Now, put in 1 pound of navy beans and cook them for 10 minutes.

Turn off the heat and cover the pot. Let the beans cool down for 4 hours. After that, put the whole pot in the fridge overnight.

The next day, heat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Rinse the beans and put them in a big bowl. Add:

• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 3 ounces chopped ham or bacon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 chopped onion (if you want)
• 1 bay leaf (if you like)

Mix everything well. Put the beans in a Dutch oven or baking dish. Add just enough water to cover them. Cover with a lid or foil.

Bake for 5-6 hours. Stir the beans every hour. If they look dry, add a bit more water. When the beans are soft and the sauce is thick, they’re done.

Let the beans cool for 5-10 minutes before you serve them. Enjoy your homemade Grandma Brown’s baked beans!

Possible Substitutes List

Don’t have all the ingredients for Grandma Brown’s baked beans? No worries! Here are some easy swaps you can try:

Beans:

• Great Northern beans
• Pinto beans
• Cannellini beans

Meat:

• Diced pork belly
• Chopped hot dogs
• Crumbled sausage

Sweetener:

• Maple syrup
• Molasses
• White sugar

If you don’t have a Dutch oven, use a deep baking dish or casserole. For a quicker cook time, try canned beans instead of dried. Just rinse and drain them first.

No bay leaf? Skip it or use a pinch of thyme. You can also add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar for extra tang.

Want to spice things up? Try adding:

• 1 tsp mustard powder
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• A dash of liquid smoke

Remember, these subs might change the taste a bit. But they’ll still give you yummy homemade baked beans!

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

You can make Grandma Brown’s baked beans more diabetes-friendly with a few easy changes. Start by cutting the sugar. Use just 2 tablespoons of brown sugar instead of 1/4 cup. You can add some stevia for extra sweetness if needed.

Choose lean ham or turkey bacon to lower the fat. Cut the amount to 2 ounces. This will reduce calories while keeping the smoky flavor you love.

Add more fiber by mixing in 1/2 cup of diced carrots and 1/2 cup of diced celery. The extra veggies will help slow sugar absorption.

Try using navy beans or great northern beans. These have a lower glycemic index than other bean types. Rinse canned beans well to remove extra sodium if you’re short on time.

Bump up the spices for more flavor without extra sugar or salt. Add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder to the mix.

Cook the beans until very soft. This makes the starches easier to digest. You may need to add a bit more water during cooking.

Serve smaller portions as a side dish rather than a main meal. Pair with lean protein and non-starchy veggies for a balanced plate.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Soak your beans overnight to speed up cooking time. This helps them cook more evenly and makes them easier to digest.

For extra flavor, try adding a splash of apple cider vinegar to your beans. It gives them a nice tangy kick.

Don’t have ham? Bacon works great too! Crisp it up before adding to the beans for best results.

You can make these beans in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours.

Store leftover beans in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll keep for up to 5 days.

To reheat, simply microwave or warm on the stove. Add a bit of water if they seem dry.

These beans freeze well! Portion them into freezer bags and they’ll last for up to 3 months.

For a vegetarian version, skip the meat and add extra spices like smoked paprika for that smoky flavor.

Want thicker beans? Mash some of them against the side of the pot near the end of cooking time.