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Savory Crockpot Baked Beans with Bacon

savory crockpot baked beans with bacon - featured image
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A comforting and flavorful slow cooker baked beans recipe featuring smoky bacon, molasses, and brown sugar for a perfect balance of sweet and savory.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) dry navy beans or great northern beans
  • 6 ounces (170 g) thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) molasses
  • 1/3 cup (70 g) packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cups (480 ml) chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon (2 g) smoked paprika (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 pound (450 g) of dried navy beans and remove any debris. Soak them in a large bowl with enough cold water to cover by 2 inches (5 cm) for at least 6 hours or overnight. For quick soak, cover beans with water, bring to a boil for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and soak for 1 hour. Drain and rinse before cooking.
  2. Chop 6 ounces (170 g) thick-cut bacon into bite-sized pieces. Dice 1 medium yellow onion and mince 3 garlic cloves.
  3. Add soaked and drained beans to the slow cooker. Stir in bacon, onion, garlic, molasses, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and chicken broth. Season with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika if using. Stir to combine.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Stir once or twice during cooking if possible, especially if cooking on high. Beans should be tender but not falling apart, and sauce thickened to a rich, sticky consistency.
  5. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed—add more salt, pepper, or a splash of vinegar if it needs brightness. If sauce is too thin, remove lid and cook on high for an additional 15-30 minutes to reduce.
  6. Let the beans rest with the lid off for 15 minutes before serving to thicken the sauce and meld flavors.

Notes

For a smokier bacon flavor, crisp bacon in a pan before adding to the slow cooker. Stir the mixture at least once during cooking to prevent beans from sticking. If sauce is watery, cook uncovered on high for 15-30 minutes to reduce. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and use vegetable broth with smoked paprika or liquid smoke. Double-check Worcestershire sauce for gluten-free compliance or substitute with tamari.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, crockpot, slow cooker, bacon, molasses, brown sugar, comfort food, easy recipe, savory beans

Find it online: https://evabake.com/savory-crockpot-baked-beans-with-bacon-easy-homemade-recipe/