Name: Slow Cooker Baked Beans
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 240 min
Total time: 280 min
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon olive oil; 1 small onion (diced (¾-1 cup)); 40-45 ounces baked beans (3 cans); 3-4 ounces garlic sausage (diced (or double smoked thick cut bacon)); ¼ cup barbecue sauce (strong flavor like Bullseye); 3 teaspoons dry mustard powder; 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; 2 Tablespoons brown sugar; 2 Tablespoons molasses (if not available, add one extra Tablespoon brown sugar)

Every home cook needs a classic recipe for homemade Slow Cooker Baked Beans!

This easy side dish recipe produces rich, full-bodied and flavorful baked beans that anyone can make from scratch in just two simple steps! And cooking them in the Crock pot means you can basically set it and forget it, until dinner time!

spoon full of Easy Slow Cooker Baked Beans

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The Best Baked Beans!

Beans are a staple in many kitchens both for their affordability and versatility, especially for vegetarians! This recipe makes it even easier using canned beans that don’t need to be pre-soaked!

This ‘from scratch’ recipe is made easy in the slow cooker or on the stovetop. Simply set it and forget it! Keep it vegetarian or use sausage, ham, ground beef, and everyone’s favorite, bacon!

Baked beans are a picnic and party favorite so hold onto this recipe to make over and over again! Serve them alongside Smoked Baby Back Ribs or Air Fryer Buttermilk Fried Chicken, with a fresh Creamy Coleslaw.

Ingredients and Variations

BEANS: Navy beans are the standard in baked beans, however, any mixture of dry beans can be used, but will need to be rinsed and pre-soaked before cooking.

SAUCE: Most canned baked beans are packed in a mildly seasoned tomato-based sauce. This recipe adds extra ingredients like molasses, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar to make the sauce extra rich and hearty! Switch up the flavors by using maple syrup, honey, or your favorite BBQ sauce, hickory-smoked or bourbon flavored are popular choices! Even a pint of Guinness beer adds a depth of flavor!

How to Make Baked Beans

We have three different methods for cooking these tasty baked beans:

Saute onion in olive oil until translucent.

Slow Cooker: Place sauteed onions on the bottom of the slow cooker and add remaining ingredients. Stir to combine everything and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours.

Stovetop: Place sauteed onions in the bottom of a large stockpot or Dutch oven and add remaining ingredients. Stir to combine and cook on medium heat until everything is heated through.

In the Oven: Place sauteed onions in the bottom of a casserole dish and add remaining ingredients. Stir to combine and bake in the oven until heated through.

Tips & Tricks

Thicken slow cooker baked beans by making a slurry from a 1:1 ratio of corn starch to cold water. Whisk the slurry until it’s smooth and add to the beans. Stir and let cook every 15 minutes until the beans are thick enough.
Another alternative is to remove a half cup of the beans and puree them in a blender then return them to the slow cooker, pot, or casserole dish.
For best results, choose pork or bacon pieces that are thick and fatty to provide the most flavor.

Leftovers

Slow cooker baked beans will keep for about 5 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave and add a little extra BBQ sauce or molasses to brighten the flavors again. Freeze cooled baked beans in zippered bags with the date labeled on the outside for up to 8 weeks.

Other Easy Side Dishes To Try

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts – a delicious side!
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes – classic favorite.
Bow Tie Pesto Pasta Salad – perfect for potlucks.
Greek Salad Recipe – excellent!

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