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Easy Crockpot Baked Beans with Smoked Bacon

Easy Crockpot Baked Beans - featured image
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A simple and delicious slow-cooked baked beans recipe featuring smoky bacon, perfect as a BBQ side or potluck favorite. Easy to prepare with pantry staples and slow cooker convenience.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cans Great Northern Beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can Pinto Beans, drained and rinsed
  • 6 slices smoked bacon, chopped (preferably thick-cut)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon)

Instructions

  1. Chop the smoked bacon into bite-sized pieces. Finely chop the yellow onion and mince the garlic cloves.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy but not burnt, about 6-8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
  3. In the same skillet with bacon fat, sauté the chopped onion until translucent and soft, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant. (Optional: skip this step and add raw onion and garlic to crockpot.)
  4. In the crockpot, add the drained and rinsed beans. Stir in the cooked bacon, onions, and garlic.
  5. Add brown sugar, ketchup, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt to the crockpot.
  6. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours until beans are tender and sauce thickened. If sauce is too thin near the end, uncover and cook on high for an additional 30 minutes to reduce.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed with more salt, pepper, or vinegar.
  8. Serve warm as a side dish.

Notes

Use thick-cut smoked bacon for best flavor and texture. Avoid stirring the beans too often to maintain consistent heat. If sauce is runny at the end, uncover and cook on high for 20-30 minutes to reduce. Rinse canned beans to reduce excess salt and prevent overly thick sauce. Vegetarian version possible by omitting bacon and adding smoked paprika and liquid smoke.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, crockpot, slow cooker, smoked bacon, BBQ side, easy recipe, potluck, comfort food

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/easy-crockpot-baked-beans-with-smoked-bacon-recipe-for-perfect-bbq-side/