This slow cooker baked beans recipe is a delicious and easy way to prepare a classic side dish. Made with navy beans, bacon, and a sweet and tangy sauce, it’s perfect for barbecues, potlucks, or family dinners.
Using a crockpot allows the flavors to meld beautifully while you go about your day. This recipe is simple and requires minimal hands-on time, making it a great choice for busy cooks.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Baked Beans
Creating a hearty bowl of slow cooker baked beans starts with gathering the right ingredients. The foundation is made from dried navy beans, which are soaked overnight to ensure they cook evenly and become tender.
Next, crispy bacon adds a savory depth, while diced onions contribute a subtle sweetness. The sauce is a blend of brown sugar, molasses, ketchup, and Dijon mustard, creating a perfect balance of flavors. Seasonings like salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika enhance the overall taste, making each bite memorable.
Preparation Steps
Preparation is straightforward and requires minimal effort. Begin by soaking the navy beans overnight. This step is crucial for achieving the desired texture and flavor.
Once the beans are ready, cook the chopped bacon until it’s crispy. The rendered fat will be used to sauté the onions, adding richness to the dish. After the onions are softened, combine all the ingredients in the slow cooker, ensuring everything is well mixed.
Cooking Process
With the ingredients combined, it’s time to let the slow cooker work its magic. Cover and set it to low for about eight hours. This slow cooking method allows the flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in a thick, sweet sauce that clings to the beans.
As the beans cook, your kitchen will fill with a mouthwatering aroma, hinting at the delicious meal that awaits. Patience is key, as the long cooking time is what transforms the dish into a comforting classic.
Serving Suggestions
Once the cooking time is complete, give the beans a good stir before serving. The glossy appearance of the beans, combined with the bits of bacon and onions, creates an inviting presentation.
For a finishing touch, garnish with fresh parsley to add a pop of color. These baked beans pair wonderfully with grilled meats, cornbread, or can stand alone as a satisfying side dish at any gathering.
Nutritional Information
Each serving of these slow cooker baked beans offers a comforting blend of flavors while remaining nutritious. With approximately 210 calories per serving, they provide a good source of protein and carbohydrates.
The dish contains about 6 grams of fat, making it a relatively light option compared to other side dishes. This makes it a great choice for family dinners or potlucks where you want to provide a hearty yet healthy option.
Tips for Success
To ensure your baked beans turn out perfectly, consider a few helpful tips. Make sure to soak the beans adequately, as this will significantly affect their cooking time and texture.
Feel free to adjust the sweetness of the sauce by modifying the amounts of brown sugar and molasses to suit your taste. Adding a splash of apple cider vinegar can also enhance the flavor profile, giving it a tangy kick.
Lastly, if you prefer a vegetarian version, simply omit the bacon and substitute it with smoked paprika for that desired smoky flavor. Enjoy your culinary creation!
Easy Slow Cooker Baked Beans Recipe
These baked beans are made with tender navy beans cooked in a rich sauce of brown sugar, molasses, and spices. The recipe takes about 8 hours in the slow cooker and serves 8 people.
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried navy beans, soaked overnight and drained
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 4 cups water
Instructions
- Prepare the Beans: Soak the navy beans overnight in water. Drain and rinse before using.
- Cook the Bacon: In a skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pan.
- Sauté Onions: In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: In the slow cooker, combine the soaked beans, cooked bacon, sautéed onions, brown sugar, molasses, ketchup, mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and water.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the beans are tender and the sauce is thickened.
- Serve: Stir before serving and enjoy your homemade baked beans warm.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Servings: 8 servings
- Calories: 210kcal
- Fat: 6g
- Protein: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 35g