🌌 Cosmic Beans
Flavors and Traditions: A Culinary Journey Through Generations
🌌 Cosmic Beans — a family legacy in every jar
📌 In This Article
🌌 The Legacy of Cosmic Beans
This is probably my favorite recipe that's been in my family for generations! It never lasts long in my house, and it's a delicious meal in itself or the best bean side dish you will ever have. 🤤
From Grammie's Kitchen: "My Grammie always called it 'Chemo Casserole' because it's loaded with protein which my Dad needed as he was undergoing treatment. I'm going to call it Cosmic Beans because this recipe is so good it will shoot you to the stars!" 🤩😋🫘
Cosmic Beans holds a special place in our family's culinary repertoire. Originally named "Chemo Casserole" by my Grammie, it was created to provide a protein-rich dish for my Dad during his treatment. Its nourishing ingredients became a source of comfort and sustenance during a challenging time. Over the years, the recipe has evolved, and I've chosen to rename it Cosmic Beans to reflect its out-of-this-world taste and the joy it brings to our table.
This recipe is more than just food — it's a story of love, resilience, and family. Every time I make a batch, I think of my Grammie standing at the stove, stirring the pot with care, and my Dad finding strength in every bite. It's a reminder that food has the power to heal, to comfort, and to connect us across generations.
💬 "Cosmic Beans, a treasured family recipe, offers a delightful combination of flavors and a touch of nostalgia. Whether enjoyed as a hearty meal or a side dish, its protein-rich ingredients and sweet-savory profile make it a crowd-pleaser." 🌌
I tripled the recipe to make 12 pints — enough to share with family, stock the pantry, and enjoy throughout the year. There's something deeply satisfying about opening a jar of Cosmic Beans on a cold winter night and tasting the warmth of summer and the love of generations past.
📝 Cosmic Beans Recipe
Yield: Approximately 12 pints (triple batch) | Prep time: 20 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes
Ingredients (Triple Batch for 12 Pints)
Single Batch Ingredients
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1 Fry the Bacon
Fry the diced bacon in a large pot until crispy. Drain the bacon and set it aside, leaving the drippings in the pot for extra flavor.
2 Brown the Ground Beef
In the same pot, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Remove the beef from the pot and set it aside with the bacon.
3 Cook the Onions
Cook the diced onions in the same pot until they become translucent and fragrant. This builds the flavor base for your Cosmic Beans.
4 Combine Everything
Add the cooked bacon, ground beef, onions, butter beans, kidney beans, pork n beans, ketchup, mustard, vinegar, and brown sugar to the pot. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly.
5 Bring to a Boil
Bring the mixture to a boil, allowing the flavors to meld together. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for a few minutes before canning or serving.
🥫 Canning Cosmic Beans
Processing Time: 75 minutes for pints | 90 minutes for quarts | Pressure: 10 lbs (adjust for altitude)
Step-by-Step Canning Instructions
1 Prepare your equipment: Sterilize 12 pint-sized jars (or quarts), lids, and rings following standard canning procedures. Keep the jars hot.
2 Fill the jars: Ladle the hot Cosmic Beans into the hot jars, leaving 1 inch of headspace at the top.
3 Clean the rims: Wipe the rims of the jars with white vinegar to ensure a clean, proper seal.
4 Apply lids: Place the hot lids on the jars and twist the rings until fingertip tight — not too loose, not too tight.
5 Load the canner: Transfer the filled jars to a hot pressure canner. Add the lid and vent for 10 minutes when there's a steady stream of steam.
6 Pressurize: Add the weight (10 lbs based on my altitude) and bring the canner to the desired pressure. Maintain consistent pressure throughout processing.
7 Process: Process the jars for 75 minutes for pints or 90 minutes for quarts.
8 Depressurize: Once the processing time is complete, turn off the heat and allow the canner to depressurize naturally. Do not rush this step!
9 Cool: Carefully remove the jars from the canner and place them on a towel-lined countertop to cool.
10 Check seals: As the jars cool, listen for the satisfying "pop" sound, indicating that a proper seal has been achieved.
11 Store: Let the jars cool completely before storing them in a cool, dark place.
✨ Pro Tips for Perfect Cosmic Beans
- Don't skip the bacon drippings: Cooking the onions in the bacon drippings adds incredible depth of flavor.
- Use quality beans: The brand of pork n beans matters — follow the family advice and avoid Van Camps!
- Adjust sweetness: The brown sugar gives Cosmic Beans their signature sweet-savory balance. Adjust to your taste.
- Make it ahead: Cosmic Beans taste even better the next day as the flavors meld together.
- Double check your altitude: Processing times and pressure may vary based on your elevation. Always adjust accordingly.
- Share the love: These jars make wonderful gifts for friends and family — and now you can share the story behind them too!
- As a hearty main dish with crusty bread
- As a side dish for grilled meats or BBQ
- Over rice or mashed potatoes
- As a topping for hot dogs or burgers
- Straight from the jar — they're that good!
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
"Don't ask me why, I just follow what my ancestors say!" — Some family traditions are sacred. Trust the wisdom of those who came before!
Yes! Cosmic Beans freeze beautifully. Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
Properly canned and stored, they last 12-18 months in a cool, dark pantry.
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different bean varieties — black beans, pinto beans, or great northern beans all work well.
Yes! All ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Just check your mustard and ketchup labels to be sure.
Yes! Simply use the single batch ingredient list above. It makes about 4-5 pints.
Final Thoughts
Cosmic Beans is more than a recipe — it's a story of love, resilience, and family. From my Grammie's kitchen to my own, this dish has nourished bodies and souls for generations. Whether you're making it for a family dinner, a special occasion, or just because, I hope it brings you as much joy as it has brought my family.
So gather your ingredients, embrace the cosmic journey, and savor every heavenly bite of this beloved family recipe. 🌌✨
💬 "Cosmic Beans — a treasured family recipe, offering a delightful combination of flavors and a touch of nostalgia." 🌌
📄 Printable Recipe Card
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║ COSMIC BEANS ║
║ A Family Legacy Recipe from Generation to Generation ║
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YIELD: 12 pints (triple batch) | TIME: 30 minutes + 75 minutes canning
SINGLE BATCH INGREDIENTS:
- 1 lb bacon, diced
- 1 lb ground beef, browned
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 can butter beans, drained
- 1 can kidney beans, drained
- 1 can pork n beans (NOT Van Camps)
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 tsp dry mustard (or 2 tsp regular)
- 3 tbsp vinegar
- 5 tbsp brown sugar (heaping)
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Fry bacon until crispy. Drain and set aside.
2. Brown ground beef in same pot. Set aside.
3. Cook onions until translucent.
4. Combine all ingredients in the pot.
5. Bring to a boil.
CANNING:
- Fill hot jars, leaving 1" headspace.
- Wipe rims with vinegar.
- Process 75 min (pints) or 90 min (quarts) at 10 lbs pressure.
"Cosmic Beans — so good it will shoot you to the stars!" 🌌
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© Cosmic Beans — Flavors and Traditions: A Culinary Journey Through Generations 🌌
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