Print

Flavorful Sweet and Smoky Crockpot Baked Beans with Bacon

sweet and smoky crockpot baked beans with bacon - featured image
Print Recipe

This recipe delivers bold, balanced, and comforting baked beans slow-cooked with smoky bacon, molasses, and brown sugar for a sweet and savory flavor perfect for gatherings or cozy meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) dried navy beans, soaked overnight
  • 8 oz (225 g) thick-cut smoky bacon, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar (dark or light)
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) unsulphured molasses
  • ½ cup (120 ml) ketchup
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp (5 g) smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp (2.5 g) freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt, to taste (added after cooking)
  • 4 cups (1 liter) water or low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Rinse the navy beans and soak them overnight (8-12 hours) in cold water covering by at least 2 inches. For a quick soak, boil beans for 5 minutes and let sit covered for 1 hour.
  2. Chop bacon into bite-sized pieces. Finely chop onion and mince garlic.
  3. Cook chopped bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy and fat is rendered. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving fat in the pan.
  4. Add onion to bacon fat and sauté until translucent and soft, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic during the last minute.
  5. Drain and rinse soaked beans under cold water.
  6. In the crockpot, combine soaked beans, cooked bacon, sautéed onion and garlic, brown sugar, molasses, ketchup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, black pepper, and water or broth. Stir gently to combine.
  7. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours until beans are tender and sauce thickens.
  8. About 30 minutes before serving, taste and add salt as needed. If sauce is too thin, cook uncovered on high for 15-30 minutes to reduce.
  9. Serve warm as a side dish or main, pairing well with BBQ or salads.

Notes

Do not add salt before cooking as it can toughen the beans. Keep an eye on liquid levels during cooking and add broth or water if too dry. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and add smoked paprika or liquid smoke and sautéed mushrooms. Can be adapted for Instant Pot cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, crockpot, slow cooker, bacon, sweet and smoky, molasses, brown sugar, comfort food, BBQ side dish

Find it online: https://cooksybite.com/flavorful-sweet-and-smoky-crockpot-baked-beans-with-bacon-recipe-made-easy/