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Savory Crockpot Baked Beans with Maple Bourbon Glaze

savory crockpot baked beans - featured image
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A comforting slow-cooked baked beans recipe featuring a sweet and smoky maple bourbon glaze, perfect for gatherings or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups dried navy beans, soaked overnight
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup pure maple syrup
  • ¼ cup bourbon whiskey
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • ¼ cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 4 cups water or vegetable broth

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 ½ cups of dried navy beans and place them in a large bowl. Cover with cold water by at least 2 inches and soak overnight (8-12 hours).
  2. Drain and rinse the beans under cold water to remove some indigestible sugars.
  3. In a skillet over medium heat, add a tablespoon of oil and sauté the finely chopped onion and minced garlic until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together ½ cup maple syrup, ¼ cup bourbon, ½ cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika until smooth.
  5. Add the soaked beans, sautéed onions and garlic, and the maple bourbon glaze to the crockpot. Pour in 4 cups of water or vegetable broth. Stir gently to combine. Season with salt and pepper lightly.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beans are tender but not mushy. Stir once or twice during cooking to prevent sticking and check liquid levels, adding water if needed.
  7. Near the end of cooking, taste and adjust salt, pepper, or vinegar if needed. To thicken the glaze, remove the lid and cook on high for 15-20 minutes.
  8. Let the beans rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and glaze to thicken.

Notes

Do not skip soaking the beans to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility. Use fresh beans for best results. Cook on low heat for best texture. Stir gently and sparingly to avoid breaking beans. Adjust liquid as beans absorb a lot. To thicken glaze, cook uncovered near the end. For vegan version, replace bourbon with maple extract or apple juice and use vegetable broth; ensure Worcestershire sauce is vegan or omit it.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, crockpot, slow cooker, maple bourbon glaze, comfort food, barbecue side dish, vegetarian option, gluten-free

Find it online: https://cooksybite.com/savory-crockpot-baked-beans-with-maple-bourbon-glaze-easy-recipe/