Easy Slow Cooker Baked Beans

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Fill your home with the mouthwatering aroma of these Easy Slow Cooker Baked Beans

Easy Slow Cooker Baked Beans featured image above

My daughter is a rodeo girl. Even though I’ve only ridden a horse a few times, she fell in love with them at her fourth-grade sleepaway camp, and we’ve been paying for it ever since. Literally. Rodeos tend to be three-and-four-day events, with the competitions often going late into the night. Even though my husband and I aren’t horse people per se, we’ve always been welcomed warmly. Especially when we come bearing baked beans.

This recipe is a go-to for rodeos, camping, barbecues, carry-ins, and practically any situation where you need a tried-and-true hearty dish. They’re great with Pork Loin or Grilled Chicken. My only recommendation if you’re sharing it is to make sure you’re among friends. Sometimes when I eat beans, I leave an odiferous wake.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

I love babysitting my granddaughter. A soup pot? Not so much. That’s one of the reasons I love this recipe. I can prep everything, throw it into the slow cooker, and let the magic commence. Another reason I like this recipe: these beans are a bit like a chameleon; they’ll blend in well with almost any meal.

Ingredients

  • 8 oz smoked bacon (uncooked)
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 red onions (finely diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (crushed)
  • 1 15 oz can of white beans
  • 1 15 oz can butter beans
  • 1 15 oz kidney beans
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 Tbsp molasses
  • 1 Tbsp tomato paste
  • ¼ cup barbecue sauce
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 sprigs of fresh thyme (leaves picked)
  • Salt and pepper
Easy Slow Cooker Baked Beans ingredients

How to Make – The Steps

Step 1: Heat a nonstick pan to medium-high and drizzle in the olive oil, then dice up the bacon, add it to the pan, and fry for 8 to 10 minutes until crispy.

Easy Slow Cooker Baked Beans step 1

Step 2: Take the bacon out; add in the diced onions and garlic and sauté for 5 to 8 minutes until the onion is translucent.

Easy Slow Cooker Baked Beans step 2

Step 3: In the bowl of your slow cooker, toss in your drained beans, bacon, onion, garlic, ketchup, molasses, tomato paste, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, fresh thyme leaves, salt, and pepper.

Easy Slow Cooker Baked Beans step 3

Step 4: Mix everything together, cover the beans with a lid, and cook for four to five hours on low.

Easy Slow Cooker Baked Beans step 4

Tips & Tricks for Perfect Baked Beans

  • Go low and slow with this recipe. The slower your beans cook, the better they absorb the sweet and savory sauce.
  • If you prefer your baked beans less sweet, reduce the brown sugar or ketchup. Alternatively, you can add a touch more molasses if you prefer them sweeter.
  • If your sauce is a little watery, take the lid off during the last hour of cooking so some of the liquid will be reduced.
  • Before serving, enhance the flavor with a sprinkle of fresh thyme or parsley.
Easy Slow Cooker Baked Beans featured image below

FAQs

Can I turn this recipe into a vegan-friendly dish?

Sure. Just skip the bacon and toss in a few splashes of liquid smoke. You can also add some other vegetables like peppers or sweet corn.

Do I have to use all three types of beans?

Flexibility is the key to this recipe. You can experiment with different types of beans, such as pinto, navy, or black, which would add unique flavors and textures.

What other variations do you recommend?

You can add ground beef or turkey for a heartier version, or if you like some heat, toss in some diced jalapenos or green chilis.

Can I swap canned beans with dried beans?

Absolutely! Remember to soak them overnight and boil them until they’re just tender before adding them to the slow cooker.

Easy Slow Cooker Baked Beans featured image below

Serving Suggestions

Every barbecue needs some delicious baked beans. You can also serve them over baked potatoes or alongside eggs.

Make Ahead and How to Store

This Slow Cooker Baked Beans recipe is the perfect make-ahead dish! If you cook it a couple of days ahead of time, the flavors will really meld by the time you warm up and serve. Any leftovers can be stored in a tight-lidded container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat your beans slowly on the stove, adding a splash of water if the sauce is thick. You can also use the microwave; just stir it every now and then so that it heats evenly.

Easy Slow Cooker Baked Beans featured image below

Slow Cooker Baked Beans

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 10

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz smoked bacon uncooked
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 red onions finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic crushed
  • 1 15 oz can of white beans
  • 1 15 oz can butter beans
  • 1 15 oz can of kidney beans
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 Tbsp molasses
  • 1 Tbsp tomato paste
  • ¼ cup barbecue sauce
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 sprigs of fresh thyme leaves picked
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • Heat a nonstick pan to medium-high and drizzle in the olive oil, then dice up the bacon. Add it in and fry for 8 to 10 minutes until crispy.
  • Take the bacon out. Add the diced onions and garlic and sauté for 5 to 8 minutes until the onion is translucent.
  • In the bowl of your slow cooker, toss in your drained beans, bacon, onion, garlic, ketchup, molasses, tomato paste, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, fresh thyme leaves, salt and pepper.
  • Mix everything together. Cover with a lid, and cook for four to five hours on low.
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