baked beans slow cooker recipe

Written ByJenny Smyth Posted on
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The Best baked beans slow cooker recipe

I’ve been making baked beans in a slow cooker for years, and it’s a recipe that never fails to impress my family and friends. The dish has its roots in the American South, where it was traditionally cooked over an open flame.

The slow cooker is the perfect way to make this hearty, comforting recipe, as it allows the flavors to meld together and the beans to cook to perfection. The result is a rich, slightly sweet, and smoky sauce that coats the beans perfectly.

I love serving this dish at family gatherings, as it’s easy to scale up or down depending on the number of people you’re feeding. My kids adore helping me prepare the ingredients and stirring the beans as they cook.

It’s a fun and interactive process that makes them feel involved in the cooking process. As for me, I appreciate how easy it is to make this recipe on busy days when I don’t have a lot of time to spare.

Simply throw all the ingredients into the slow cooker, set it to low for a few hours, and voila! You’ll have a delicious meal ready to go.

Plus, this recipe is a great way to get some protein and fiber into your diet without breaking the bank or spending too much time in the kitchen. It’s a win-win situation if you ask me!

Slow Cooker Baked Beans

4.7 from 740 votes

This classic slow cooker baked beans recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for any gathering. It combines tender beans with a rich, sweet, and savory sauce.

Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time8 hours
Resting Time0 mins
Total Time8 hours 15 mins
Servings: 6Cuisine: InternationalCalories: 350 kcal

🥘Ingredients

Ingredients

1 lb dried navy beans
1 large onion, diced
1 large bell pepper, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
4 slices bacon, diced

👨‍🍳Directions

1Rinse the dried navy beans and pick out any debris.
2Place them in a bowl and cover with water.
3Let them soak for at least 6 hours or overnight.
4Drain and rinse the beans before using.
5In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy.
6Remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside, leaving the drippings in the skillet.
7Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet with the bacon drippings.
8Cook over medium heat until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
9Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
10In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, salt, black pepper, and paprika.
11Stir this mixture into the skillet with the vegetables and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine.
12Transfer the vegetable and sauce mixture to the slow cooker.
13Add the drained and rinsed navy beans and stir to combine.
14Add enough water to cover the beans by about 1 inch.
15Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, stirring occasionally.
16The beans should be tender and the sauce should have thickened slightly.
17If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little water to reach your desired consistency.
18Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
19Serve the baked beans hot, garnished with the cooked bacon.

🔧Equipment

Slow cooker
Mixing bowl
Cutting board
Knife

📊Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🔥Calories: 350 kcal🧈Total Fat: 5g💛Saturated Fat: 1.5g❤️Cholesterol: 10mg🧂Sodium: 800mg🌾Total Carbs: 60g🥦Dietary Fiber: 10g🍬Sugars: 15g🥩Protein: 15g

📝Notes

Tips: For a spicy kick, add 1-2 diced jalapeños to the skillet with the onions and bell peppers. You can also use canned beans if you are short on time, but soaking dried beans will give you a more authentic texture.

One of my favorite things about this baked beans slow cooker recipe is that it stores so well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days or frozen for up to three months.

When reheating, simply thaw overnight in the fridge or reheat from frozen in a saucepan over low heat until warmed through.

This dish is perfect for family gatherings or potlucks because it can be scaled up easily and served hot from a crock pot or oven-safe serving dish.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Baked Beans

Q1: What type of beans should I use for this recipe?

I recommend using navy beans or pinto beans for this recipe. Both types hold up well to the slow-cooking process and absorb all the flavors of the sauce beautifully.

Q2: Can I use canned beans instead of dried beans?

Yes, you can definitely use canned beans if you prefer. However, keep in mind that canned beans may be higher in sodium than dried beans.

Q3: How long does it take for the beans to cook in a slow cooker?

The cooking time will depend on your personal preference for bean texture and how long you want to cook them.

Q4: Can I make this recipe without brown sugar?

No, I wouldn’t recommend skipping the brown sugar entirely. It adds a rich depth of flavor to the sauce that complements the other ingredients perfectly.

Q5: Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?

This recipe is vegetarian-friendly; however, if you’re cooking for vegans, make sure to check your Worcestershire sauce ingredient list as some brands contain animal-derived products.

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