This Grandma Brown's baked beans recipe is loaded with all the same savory, hearty, and meaty deliciousness as the original kind. It combines perfectly cooked navy beans with savory ham and a dash of brown sugar to make smooth, creamy beans that are totally addictive.
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Why I Love This Grandma Brown's Baked Beans Recipe
If you’ve never tried Grandma Brown’s baked beans, you’re in for a treat. The original canned version was a Northeast staple for decades, beloved for its hearty texture and rich, savory-sweet flavor. Unfortunately, they’re no longer available in stores—which is why this homemade version has become my go-to.
I grew up eating Grandma Brown’s beans at nearly every summertime family picnic, so recreating them from scratch was personal for me. After testing and tweaking, I think I’ve finally nailed that nostalgic flavor. This copycat Grandma Brown’s baked beans recipe brings back all the comfort of the original while being even fresher and heartier.
What I love most is how versatile they are. These beans are filling enough to enjoy as a meal on their own, but they also make the perfect side for just about anything. I often serve them with sweet potato patties, rotisserie chicken salad, Texas Roadhouse rolls, or honey glazed carrots for a complete, comforting spread.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Navy beans- the classic beans used in the original canned version.
- Baking soda- for the best texture.
- Salt- just a pinch.
- Cooked ham- chopped into smaller pieces. Diced bacon works great too.
- Brown sugar- for the addictive sweetness.
- Onion- a small one chopped for some savoriness.
- Bay leaf- for extra flavor.
By the way, if you end up with any extra navy beans, then I definitely suggest you try this ham and beans recipe next. It's a great way to use up any leftover ham from this recipe too!
How To Make Grandma Brown's Baked Beans
Step 1: Soak The Beans
First things first, you'll want to take out a large saucepot and add 4 cups of water and baking soda to it. Then you can add the beans to the pot, bring everything to a boil, and cook the beans for 10 minutes.
When the time is up, you can remove the pot from the heat and let the beans sit in the water overnight to soften.
Step 2: Assemble The Baked Beans
In the morning, you'll want to preheat your oven to 300°F and rinse the soaked beans. Once rinsed, you can add them to any oven-proof dish with a lid. Then, you can follow this by adding the brown sugar, ham, onions, and just enough water to cover the beans. Lastly, you can season everything with a dash of salt, mix it all together, and add a bay leaf on top.
Step 3: Bake The Beans
Now that everything is in the baking dish, you can put it in the oven and bake the beans for 5 hours. Just make sure that you set a timer to check the beans every hour or so and add water as needed to prevent them from drying out. The beans should be thick and creamy when they're finished cooking. Finally, when your baked beans are done, you can serve them warm and enjoy!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
If you end up with any leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for about 3-5 days in an airtight container. To keep for longer, store in a freezer-safe airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 6 months.
When you're ready to dive into your baked beans again, they're definitely best reheated. To reheat, I suggest putting them back in a baking dish and heating them at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until the beans reach your desired temperature.
Alternatively, if you want to reheat a single serving, you can microwave the leftovers in 20-second intervals, stirring between each one, until they're fully reheated. For what it's worth, this is the route I usually go.
Grandma Brown's Baked Beans FAQS
Did they stop making Grandma Browns baked beans?
Yes. As of late, Grandma Brown’s baked beans have been discontinued and are no longer available in stores. To get that nostalgic flavor, you’ll need to make them at home. Luckily, this homemade Grandma Brown’s baked beans recipe is just as hearty and flavorful—many people even prefer it to the canned version.
Can I use canned beans for Grandma Brown's baked beans?
Yes, canned beans will work great in this recipe if you don't want to use dried beans. If you are using canned ones, you'll want to drain them first, and you won't have to boil them in the first step. Using dried beans will give you a more authentic texture, but canned beans are a convenient shortcut.
What makes Grandma Brown’s baked beans different from other baked beans?
Grandma Brown’s beans are known for their thick, rich sauce that’s less sweet than typical baked bean recipes. They have a hearty, savory-sweet balance with a bit of smokiness, making them a favorite for family gatherings and cookouts in the Northeast.
Can I make Grandma Brown’s baked beans in a slow cooker?
Absolutely. After preparing your beans, add everything to a slow cooker and cook on Low for 6–8 hours or High for 3–4 hours until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened. This is an easy, hands-off method that delivers the same deep, comforting flavor.
More Of My Favorite Bean Recipes
- Baked beans with ground beef
- Southern style pinto beans
- Apple pie baked beans
- Baked beans casserole
- Bush's baked beans recipe
- Charro beans
- Baked beans with bacon
- Chipotle black beans
- Butter beans
- Great northern beans
Grandma Brown's Baked Beans (Copycat Recipe)
This Grandma Brown's baked beans recipe is loaded with all the same savory, hearty, and meaty deliciousness as the original kind. It combines perfectly cooked navy beans with savory ham and a dash of brown sugar to make smooth, creamy beans that are totally addictive. Oh, and best of all, it's so, so easy to make 'em. In fact, just 5 minutes of prep time is all it takes to whip up these baked beans!
Ingredients
- ½ lb. navy beans
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 oz. cooked ham, chopped (or bacon)
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- In a saucepot, add 4 cups water and baking soda.
- Add beans and bring to a boil. Cook the beans for 10 minutes.
- Remove the beans from the stove and let them soak in water overnight.
- In the morning, rinse the beans and add them to an oven-proof dish with a lid.
- Add the beans, ham, brown sugar, and onions and enough water just to cover the beans to the dish. Season with salt and add a bay leaf.
- Place the lid on top and cook the beans in a preheated oven set to 300°F for 5 hours.
- Check the beans every hour and add water to prevent them from drying out. The beans should be thick and creamy.
- Serve the beans warm and enjoy.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1 servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 234Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 86mgSodium: 203mgCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 7gSugar: 4gProtein: 15g
Erin
Omg made these beans for dinner tonight so good.
Chapmanooka
We from the eld sod know that the bestest baked beans come from soaing overnight, rinsing, adding more water and a good sized hunk of salt pork. tilted cover boil for 1.5 hours. then intothe hot oven (375) for 40 to 50 minutes. booyah!
Jimmy Leon
The beans were great.
Lara
Some of the best homemade baked beans I’ve ever made.
Pat
Really good baked beans right here
Tonya
Took a while to make but tasted great.
Jill
Divine.
Gene
When did you add the Brown sugar Can't find it in the recipe where to add It
Brendan Cunningham
You will add it when you add the ham and the rest of the ingredients
Judy
You hit this out of the park! Excellent recipe and so easy to get my NY fix. Thank you a hundred times!
Brendan Cunningham
We're so glad you like it!!
Annie
Made my first batch today, super easy! Moving south meant no more GB, so I'm thrilled to have this recipe! I will say I added a bit more brown sugar and just little ketchup . This recipe is a keeper!
Brendan Cunningham
Hi Annie, we're so glad you liked the recipe!! Thanks for the tip with the brown sugar and ketchup. We'll give it a try!
Rose
Can this recipe be doubled or tripled?
Brendan Cunningham
Yes for sure!
sharon
Here in NY we love and miss our beans. I have always doctored my brans up with ketchup, some mustard and of course brown sugar. place strips of bacon on top then bake them and it was wonderful. I tried these beans they are fantastic. . My only negative ( not a problem) is most of the times this is a summer dish to go with our BBQ and having the oven on for 5 hours WOW but they are so worth it. Thank you for sharing.
Sharon
Donna Martin
Sharon, I just made a batch in my crock pot on high. I used a similar recipe (almost double what is in this recipe). When they were done cooking they were just like they came out of the can. I let them cool overnight and then added any ingredients that you would once you opened that can. Also I used 6 oz of salt pork instead of the ham while cooking the beans because that is how my grandmother made them from scratch. (1 pound of beans, 6 oz of salt pork, 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup onions) Remember this is just the base. Once this is done you doctor them up just like you would the canned beans.
Denise Hess
May I ask how long you cooked them on high in the crock pot?
Barrie
I ve been searching for grandma browns beans recipe since they shut down. I will try these on Mother’s Day as that can was my mothers favorite.
Brendan Cunningham
Awesome!! We hope you all enjoy it!
Nancy Hugick
Wondering if you could cook these in the crockpot ? Sure would save on running your over!!
I still have a couple of the original Grandma Browns cans left!!
I drizzle maple syrup on top of the original GB and everyone loves them!
Brendan Cunningham
Yes it should work great in the crockpot!
DonnaDee
I am a New Yorker who grew up with Grandma Brown's Baked Beans. Since they have been off of the supermarket shelves for over two years now, I was on the search for a "copycat" recipe. I made at least four "copycat" recipes that were not even close. I ran across this one the other day and the picture looks almost exactly like the Grandma Brown's can contents. I wasn't going to try it because all of the others were duds and I didn't want to waste my time. Then I thought "what the heck, why not try one more"? I'm am so glad that I did. These are SPOT ON!!!! I thought that I would never taste those amazing beans again but here they are. I made them exactly per the recipe (except I doubled it because the beans come in a one pound bag) During the last 45 minutes, I added my family's special touches that we used for the past 20 years. Let me share. With only 45 minutes remaining, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of brown sugar (we like them a bit on the sweeter side so we use about 1/2 cup but adjust to your own taste), 2-3 tablespoons of prepared yellow mustard and 1/4 cup of sweet pickle relish. I know, I know, it sounds awful, but trust me, you will not be disappointed. I thought "Oh yuck" the first time I heard the secret ingredients but they are amazing. Don't forget to use the whole bag of beans because you'll definitely regret it if you don't. Thank you for this recipe.
Brendan Cunningham
Hi Donna, we're so glad you liked the recipe!! We'll have to try the recipe with your secret ingredients!
Teri
Hi! So when you say you added 1/2 cup brown sugar in the last 45 minutes was that for a double batch? And was in addition to the brown sugar called for in the original part of the recipe? Your suggestions sound wonderful so I want to make sure I get it right!!
Cat
Do you store them in the refrigerator overnight after completing the first step
Brendan Cunningham
You can transfer the beans and water to an airtight container for easy storage.
Fawn
I know just what you men! I have missed Grandma Browns beans and this one is spot on. I cover mine with a mixture of cider vinegar and brown sugar and bacon, but with the salt pork, or side pork, you don’t really need the bacon on top! Awesome
Mark
Made this copy cat grandma browns baked beans recipe and let me tell you it is 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Jeannette Mospaw
Has anyone frozen these beans? They are sooooo Grandma Brown's!! I just made 2 double batches! Yummmm!
Karla Smith
I have frozen them and they were good, beans held up, not mushy,
helen
I found it! Yum!
We loved this - and it is even better the next day. Yes, I made a few tweaks - doubled the recipe, used 1 lb. of bacon, lightly sautéed the onion in the bacon grease after draining most out. After cooking and tasting, added a bit more brown sugar, and some salt and black pepper.
Used soaked dry beans, cooked for 5.5 hours, microwaved them to serve the next day.
Ceil Gilbert
If you use a crockpot, how long would you cook them?
Brendan Cunningham
Hi Ceil! I think low heat for 5-6 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours should work.
Gina
I have never made a comment on any recipe, however these deserve it! I live close to Mexico NY, home of Grandma Brown's Baked Beans and these are the real deal! I cut the soaking overnight by using my Instant Pot. I also did them in my crockpot. After I added a little more brown sugar and mustard because that's how we've always doctored them up. They were perfect! Thank you, we now can have them again with our Garbage Plates, which they've been absent from for the past few years.
Brendan Cunningham
Hi Gina! That's amazing to hear we're so glad you enjoyed the recipe:)
Maggie W
I grew up on Grandma Brown’s beans, but now live in Tennessee (home of Bush’s Beans). Bush’s are good, but nothing compares to Grandma’s! Thank you so much! These are spot on.
Brendan Cunningham
You're so welcome we're glad you like the recipe:)
Aunt Happily
Had to substitute Great Northern beans and bacon for the ham; nonetheless, came out great and I'll make it again! I live within an hour of Grandma Brown's former location and this has been a lifelong favorite!
Brendan Cunningham
That's awesome to hear!
Sandy Swatling
Just made this, all I can say is Wow! The best baked beans I’ve ever had, other than adding a touch of mustard, I followed the recipe exactly. We’ve been missing Grandma Browns, this is way better!
Brendan Cunningham
Hi Sandy, amazing! I'm so glad you liked the recipe!!