The Best Slow Cooker Bacon Baked Beans: Sweet, Smoky & Irresistibly Saucy
Prepare to indulge in the ultimate comfort food classic! These Slow Cooker Bacon Baked Beans boast the perfect blend of savory bacon and sweet, tangy sauce, all melded together beautifully in your slow cooker throughout the day. The result? Perfectly soft, wonderfully meaty, and incredibly saucy beans that are destined to become your new go-to side dish for any occasion.
Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Bacon Baked Beans Recipe
Let’s talk about beans! From robust black beans to creamy chickpeas, hearty kidney beans, and even quick and easy refried beans, I genuinely adore them in all their forms. But when it comes to a truly standout dish, these slow cooker bacon baked beans are simply out of this world! They offer a rich depth of flavor that transforms humble beans into a gourmet experience.
Beans are a fantastic addition to any diet because they are incredibly versatile and packed with essential nutrients. They deliver hefty doses of protein and fiber, making them an excellent choice for a balanced and satisfying meal. Plus, they’re wonderfully affordable and can be paired with an astounding variety of main courses. When you find a food as cheap, versatile, and utterly delicious as these homemade baked beans, you simply can’t let them go.
This recipe for bacon baked beans is remarkably simple, designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort. All you need to do is get out your trusty slow cooker, crisp up some bacon to perfection, and then combine all the ingredients in the pot. Once everything is in, you can truly “set it and forget it” for a few hours. This low-and-slow cooking method allows the sweet and savory flavors to meld beautifully, creating a deep, complex sauce and perfectly tender beans. When you return, you’ll be greeted by the tantalizing aroma of the best baked beans you’ve ever tasted, ready to be shoveled down by the spoonful!
The beauty of using a slow cooker for these bacon baked beans lies in its ability to tenderize the beans and infuse them with flavor without constant supervision. This makes it an ideal recipe for busy weeknights, weekend gatherings, or even holiday feasts when oven space is at a premium. The result is a consistent, perfectly cooked dish every time, with that signature sticky, sweet, and smoky glaze that everyone craves.
What to Serve with Your Perfect Baked Beans
Baked beans are the quintessential side dish, capable of complementing a vast array of meals. Their rich, sweet, and smoky profile makes them incredibly versatile. Here are some fantastic pairings to make your meal truly unforgettable:
- BBQ & Grilled Meats: They are a natural partner for anything hot off the grill. Serve them alongside juicy sausage and veggie kabobs, a succulent beer can chicken, or tender pulled pork. The smoky notes of the beans perfectly echo the flavors of barbecue.
- Classic Comfort Food: A classic burger is another excellent meal to complement these beans – you could even get creative and pile the slow cooker bacon baked beans right ON your burger for an explosion of flavor and texture! Don’t forget other American classics like hot dogs or grilled sausages.
- Hearty Sides: For the ultimate comfort food spread, nothing beats pairing your baked beans with creamy stovetop mac and cheese and warm, fluffy cornbread muffins. A crisp coleslaw or a fresh potato salad also makes a great contrast to the richness of the beans.
- Beyond the Plate: Thinking outside the box? These beans can even be part of a breakfast spread with scrambled eggs and toast, or used as a base for a hearty “Cowboy Casserole” by adding ground beef and a cheesy topping.
And finally, you can’t forget about somethin’ sweet to round out your meal. Try a delightful strawberry rhubarb pudding cake, chewy chocolate chip cookie bars, or a luscious classic tres leches cake for a perfect ending.
Key Ingredients for Our Amazing Bacon Baked Beans
The magic of these homemade baked beans comes from a thoughtful combination of staple ingredients, with a couple of stars that truly make the dish shine. The two most important ingredients that form the delicious “meat” of this recipe, if you will, are the **bacon (crispy fried and crumbled!)** and **northern beans (or navy beans)**. These two components provide the foundational texture and savory depth.
But it’s the carefully selected blend of other flavorings that truly elevates these baked beans to the next level. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating that irresistible sweet, smoky, and tangy sauce. Simply gather everything and throw it all into your slow cooker, then watch (and smell, and eventually taste!) the magic unfold as the flavors marry and deepen over hours of gentle cooking.
- Northern Beans (or Navy Beans): These small white beans are perfect for baked beans as they become wonderfully tender and absorb flavors beautifully. Canned beans are a fantastic shortcut, saving you hours of soaking and simmering.
- Chicken Stock: Provides a rich liquid base for the sauce. You can easily substitute with vegetable stock for a vegetarian version, or even beef stock for a deeper, more robust flavor.
- Onion (diced): Adds an essential aromatic base, contributing a savory sweetness as it slowly cooks down into the sauce.
- Garlic (minced): A must-have for depth and a pungent kick that balances the sweetness.
- Ketchup: Forms the primary tangy, sweet, and slightly acidic base of the sauce, providing that classic baked bean flavor.
- BBQ Sauce: Elevates the smoky and sweet profile, adding another layer of complexity and a ready-made blend of spices. Choose your favorite brand for a personalized touch!
- Brown Sugar (packed): Crucial for the signature sweetness and sticky texture. You can adjust the amount to your preference, starting with less and adding more if you like it sweeter.
- Prepared Mustard: Just a touch of yellow mustard adds a subtle tang and zing, cutting through the richness and enhancing the overall flavor without overpowering.
- Molasses: This dark, rich syrup is key to achieving that authentic, deep, old-fashioned baked bean flavor and a beautiful dark hue. It adds a unique, complex sweetness that brown sugar alone can’t provide.
- Bacon (thick-cut, fried and crumbled): The star of the show! Thick-cut bacon provides incredible smoky flavor and a delightful texture. Frying it beforehand ensures it’s crispy and renders some fat, which further enriches the beans.
- Bourbon (optional): A tablespoon of bourbon adds a subtle warmth and a sophisticated depth of flavor, enhancing the overall complexity of the sauce. The alcohol cooks off, leaving behind only its wonderful essence.
Note for Dietary Preferences: You can easily adapt this recipe! To make these delectable beans vegetarian, simply omit the bacon entirely and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock. The remaining ingredients still create a wonderfully flavorful dish that everyone can enjoy.
How to Make These Easy Slow Cooker Bacon Baked Beans
You’re truly going to adore how incredibly simple and hands-off this recipe for homemade bacon baked beans is. The slow cooker does all the hard work, leaving you free to enjoy your day while the magic happens. Just follow these straightforward steps:
- Prepare Your Bacon: Start by frying your thick-cut bacon in a skillet until it’s perfectly crispy. Once cooked, remove it from the pan, drain off any excess grease, and crumble it into small pieces. Reserve a little for garnish if you like!
- Gather and Combine: Collect all of your measured ingredients: the drained northern beans, chicken stock, diced onion, minced garlic, ketchup, BBQ sauce, packed brown sugar, prepared mustard, molasses, the crumbled crispy bacon, and the optional bourbon.
- Into the Slow Cooker: Place all of these wonderful ingredients into a large slow cooker. Give everything a good stir to ensure it’s well combined and the beans are evenly coated in the rich, flavorful sauce.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Set it to cook on the “high” setting for approximately 6 hours. Alternatively, if you prefer to cook it on a “low” setting, it might take 8-10 hours, allowing for even deeper flavor development. The goal is for the beans to become perfectly soft and tender, changing in color from their initial white to a beautiful, inviting amber.
- Rest and Thicken: Once the cooking time is complete and the beans are tender, you might notice the sauce still seems a little thin. Don’t worry! The sauce will naturally thicken considerably as the baked beans cool down a little after cooking. Trust the process – this is a normal part of how baked beans achieve their perfect consistency.
- Serve and Enjoy: Ladle out your warm, fragrant slow cooker bacon baked beans and serve them as a hearty side dish. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh chives or a few extra bacon bits for an added touch of color and flavor.
This method ensures the beans absorb all the delicious flavors, resulting in a perfectly cooked, rich, and satisfying dish every time. The slow cooking process also means very little active prep time, making it ideal for busy schedules!
Frequently Asked Questions About Bacon Baked Beans
Absolutely, yes! It’s highly recommended to fry up your bacon until it’s nicely crispy before adding it to your slow cooker with the beans. Pre-cooking the bacon does a few important things: it renders out some of the fat, which can then be incorporated into the beans for richer flavor, and it ensures the bacon has that desirable crispy texture. If you add raw bacon directly, it tends to become chewy and less appealing during the long cooking process. Plus, you can use a little of the rendered bacon fat to sauté the onions for an even deeper, more integrated flavor!
While this recipe already covers many amazing additions, there are always ways to customize! Of course, bacon is key; it gives your baked beans incredible texture, a smoky flavor, and a rich fattiness that will have everyone coming back for second helpings. You can also sauté or caramelize the diced onions for a sweeter, more mellow base flavor before adding them. For extra sweetness, a dash of pure maple syrup or a spoonful of brown sugar can work wonders. To add more depth, consider a touch of smoked paprika, a pinch of cayenne pepper for a subtle kick, a splash of apple cider vinegar for brightness, or even a teaspoon of liquid smoke for an intense smoky aroma. A bay leaf added during cooking can also impart a subtle, aromatic nuance.
Not at all! One of the greatest advantages of cooking baked beans low and slow in a slow cooker is that it helps them achieve the perfect texture. Instead of becoming mushy, the beans will become wonderfully tender, creamy, and soft, without falling apart. The gentle heat allows them to cook evenly and absorb all the delicious sauce flavors without overcooking. Just be sure to use canned beans, as dry beans require pre-soaking and a much longer cooking time which might vary and sometimes lead to mushy results if not managed correctly. With canned beans, you’ll get consistently perfect results!
Yes, absolutely! Bacon baked beans are an excellent make-ahead dish, which makes them perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or holiday meals. The flavors often deepen and become even more robust after a day or two in the refrigerator. Simply prepare the recipe as directed, allow the beans to cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the oven until warmed through, adding a splash of chicken stock or water if they seem too thick.
Yes, these slow cooker bacon baked beans freeze beautifully! This makes them a fantastic option for meal prep or for saving leftovers. To freeze, allow the cooked beans to cool completely. Then, transfer them to freezer-safe airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving a little headspace as liquids expand when frozen. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a little liquid if needed to reach your desired consistency.
More Delicious Bean Recipes To Try
If you’re a bean lover like us, you’ll be thrilled to discover more fantastic recipes that celebrate these versatile legumes. Beans are not only nutritious but also incredibly adaptable to a variety of cuisines and dishes:
- Slow Cooker Bean Dip: An easy, cheesy, and incredibly addictive dip perfect for game day or parties.
- Citrus Marinated Pork Chops with Mango Black Bean Salsa: A vibrant and fresh meal that pairs tender pork with a sweet and tangy black bean salsa.
- Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Sloppy Joes: A family-friendly classic made even easier in the slow cooker, packed with savory beef and hearty beans.
- Beefy Bean Tostadas: Crispy tostadas loaded with seasoned beef and beans, perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner.
- Black Bean Sweet Potato Quesadillas: A delicious vegetarian option, combining the sweetness of sweet potatoes with the earthiness of black beans in a cheesy quesadilla.
These recipes showcase the incredible range of possibilities when cooking with beans, from appetizers to main courses, proving that they are much more than just a simple side dish.
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Bacon Baked Beans
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Countryside Cravings
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10 minutes
6 hours
6 hours 10 minutes
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Ingredients
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4 15.5 oz cans northern beans, drained -
1 cup chicken stock -
1 small onion diced -
1 clove garlic minced -
3/4 cup ketchup -
1/2 cup bbq sauce -
1/3-1/2 cup packed brown sugar -
1 tablespoon prepared mustard -
3 tablespoons molasses -
6 slices thick cut bacon fried and crumbled -
1 tablespoon bourbon optional
Instructions
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Combine all ingredients in a large slow cooker. Give everything a good stir to ensure it’s well mixed. Cover with a lid and cook on high for about 6 hours, or until the beans are wonderfully soft and have changed in color from white to a beautiful amber hue. The rich, sweet, and savory sauce will naturally thicken after the beans have cooled down a little, reaching that perfect consistency.
Notes
Storage: Once your delicious bacon baked beans have cooled completely, transfer them to an airtight container. They can be stored safely in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days, making them perfect for meal prep or enjoying leftovers.
Freezing Instructions: These baked beans freeze beautifully! After cooling, transfer to freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently.
Recipe adapted from The Cozy Apron
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