Glorified Beans
A hearty, savory bean casserole with smoky bacon, tender hamburger, and rich spices, perfect for family dinners or potlucks craving comforting flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 large can pork and beans ⓘ
- 1 can red kidney beans ⓘ
- 1 can lima beans ⓘ
- 1 can butter beans ⓘ
- 1 can Great Northern beans
- 1 can garbanzo beans ⓘ
- 3/4 cup brown sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 cup catsup ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon mustard ⓘ
- 1/4 cup vinegar ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon curry powder ⓘ
- 1 pound hamburger ⓘ
- 1/2 pound bacon ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped onion ⓘ
Instructions
- Brown the hamburger in a skillet.
- Cube the bacon and brown it with the hamburger.
- Discard the grease from the skillet.
- Add all the remaining ingredients to a large mixing bowl or pot.
- Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Transfer the mixture to a crock-pot and cook on low for several hours, or bake in a 350°F oven, covered, for 1 1/2 hours.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a touch of smoked paprika. If you're short on time, you can use canned beans without draining, but rinsing them can reduce the sodium content. For a vegetarian option, substitute the ground beef and bacon with plant-based alternatives or omit the meat entirely and increase the number of beans.
Serving Suggestions
Glorified Beans can be served as a hearty side dish or main course. It pairs beautifully with cornbread or a fresh salad like Joyce Clark's 24 Hour Lettuce-Pea Salad. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside grilled meats or BBQ chicken. A dollop of sour cream on top can add a nice touch.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, use the microwave or stovetop, adding a splash of water if the mixture seems dry. This dish also freezes well; just make sure to cool it completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Glorified Beans contains roughly 626 calories, with 20g protein, 112g carbohydrates, and 17g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (123% of the Daily Value), iron (69% of the Daily Value), and protein (40% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1548mg per serving (67% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use dried beans instead of canned?
Yes, you can use dried beans, but you'll need to soak and cook them beforehand. This will add extra time to your preparation, so plan accordingly. For best results, cook them until tender and drain before mixing them with the other ingredients.
What can I substitute for bacon?
If you're looking to replace bacon, try turkey bacon or a plant-based bacon alternative. You could also add smoked sausage or diced ham for a different flavor. If you prefer to keep it vegetarian, simply omit the bacon and increase the amount of seasoning for extra flavor.
How spicy is this dish?
This recipe is mild, but you can easily adjust the spice level. For a bit of heat, add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper. If you enjoy curry flavors, consider increasing the amount of curry powder for a more pronounced taste.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).