Grandma's Hearty Three-Bean Casserole
Transport yourself back to simpler times with this nostalgic Three-Bean Casserole, a beloved family recipe that's stood the test of time. This flavorful dish combines a delightful mix of baked beans, lima beans, and kidney beans, all simmered together with a smoky sauce that captures the heart of home cooking. Perfect for open houses or casual gatherings, it keeps warm in the crock pot, allowing you to mingle with guests while serving a complete meal. With layers of savory flavors from seasoned meat and zesty sauces, this casserole is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. Plus, it's a wonderful way to pass down a cherished tradition from grandma to your own children and grandchildren.
8-12
Servings
200
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
warm water
1 (cup)
baked beans
2 ((15 ounce cans, undrained))
lima beans
2 ((12 ounce cans, drained))
kidney beans
2 ((12 ounce cans, drained))
ketchup
2 1/3 (cups)
prepared mustard
1/4 (cup)
brown sugar or dark molasses
1/3 (cup)
liquid smoke
2/3 (cup)
apple cider vinegar
1/3 (cup)
lean hamburger
2 (lbs)
chopped onion
1/4-1/2 (cup)
Spam or ham (optional)
1 ((cup, chopped))
Instructions
1
Preheat your crock pot: Pour 1 cup of warm water into the crock pot and turn it on high. This helps preheat the pot and prevents cracking.
2
Prepare the beans: Drain the lima and kidney beans. Heat all the beans (including the undrained baked beans) in a microwave or on the stove until steaming. Stir well and then pour them into the crock pot.
3
Make the sauce: In a separate pot, combine ketchup, mustard, brown sugar (or dark molasses), liquid smoke, and apple cider vinegar. Simmer the mixture over low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should turn brown and mellow out in flavor. Pour the sauce into the crock pot and mix thoroughly.
4
Cook the meat and onion: In a skillet, brown the lean hamburger and chopped onion until cooked through. Drain excess fat, if necessary, then add the meat mixture to the crock pot and stir well.
5
Cover the crock pot with the lid. Cook on high for 1 hour, then reduce the heat to low and allow it to cook for an additional 5-8 hours. When ready, serve the casserole hot, accompanied by rice and cornbread. Garnish with shredded cheese on top or serve with a glass of milk.
Nutrition Information
1.7g
Fat
30g
Carbs
7g
Protein
4g
Fiber
3g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main beans used in Grandma's Hearty Three-Bean Casserole?
This recipe features a combination of baked beans (undrained), lima beans (drained), and kidney beans (drained).
How many servings does this recipe make?
This hearty casserole yields approximately 8 to 12 servings.
Why do you add warm water to the crock pot before starting?
One cup of warm water is added to the crock pot while it preheats on high to help prevent the pot from cracking.
What meat is included in this three-bean casserole?
The recipe calls for 2 lbs of lean hamburger and an optional 1 cup of chopped Spam or ham.
How long does the casserole need to cook in the slow cooker?
It should be cooked on high for 1 hour, followed by 5 to 8 hours on the low setting.
What ingredients make up the smoky sauce?
The sauce is a mixture of ketchup, prepared mustard, brown sugar or dark molasses, liquid smoke, and apple cider vinegar.
Can I substitute brown sugar in this recipe?
Yes, you can use 1/3 cup of dark molasses as a substitute for the 1/3 cup of brown sugar.
How should the hamburger be prepared before adding it to the crock pot?
The lean hamburger should be browned in a skillet with chopped onions and drained of excess fat before being stirred into the crock pot.
What are the recommended side dishes?
Grandma suggests serving the casserole hot accompanied by rice and cornbread.
What are the calorie details per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 200 calories.
What is the protein content of this dish?
The casserole provides about 7g of protein per serving.
How much liquid smoke is used in the sauce?
The recipe uses 2/3 cup of liquid smoke to achieve its characteristic smoky flavor.
Do I need to heat the beans before putting them in the crock pot?
Yes, the beans should be heated in a microwave or on the stove until steaming before being added to the crock pot.
What kind of vinegar is best for the sauce?
The recipe specifically calls for 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar.
How long should the sauce simmer?
The sauce ingredients should simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes until the flavor mellows and the color turns brown.
Is this recipe suitable for an open house?
Yes, it is ideal for open houses because it stays warm in the crock pot while you mingle with guests.
What garnishes can be added?
The casserole can be garnished with shredded cheese on top.
What size cans of beans are required?
The recipe uses 15-ounce cans for the baked beans and 12-ounce cans for the lima and kidney beans.
How much fat is in one serving?
There is approximately 1.7g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
A single serving contains about 30g of carbohydrates.
What is the fiber content per serving?
This bean-rich dish provides 4g of fiber per serving.
How much sugar is in each serving?
There are approximately 3g of sugar per serving.
How much ketchup is needed for the sauce?
The recipe requires 2 1/3 cups of ketchup.
How much onion should be added?
You can add between 1/4 to 1/2 cup of chopped onion depending on your preference.
Is the sodium or cholesterol content available?
The current nutritional data does not specify the sodium or cholesterol levels.
What type of mustard is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of prepared mustard.
Can this be served with a specific beverage?
A traditional serving suggestion is to accompany the meal with a glass of milk.
Is this an easy recipe to make?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy cooking recipe that involves simple browning and slow cooking.
What is the historical context of this recipe?
It is described as a traditional 1950s-style family recipe passed down through generations.
Are the beans supposed to be drained?
The lima and kidney beans should be drained, but the baked beans are added undrained with their sauce.