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Savory Crockpot Baked Beans Recipe with Brown Sugar and Crispy Bacon Made Easy

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A comforting and easy slow cooker baked beans recipe featuring smoky bacon, sweet brown sugar, and a rich, thick sauce. Perfect for casual gatherings and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups dried Great Northern Beans or Navy Beans (soaked overnight or quick-soaked)
  • 6–8 slices thick-cut crispy bacon, cooked and chopped
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
  • 4 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Rinse 3 cups dried beans, then soak overnight in cold water covering beans by 2 inches (about 8 cups water). For a quick soak, place beans in a pot, cover with water, bring to boil for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and let stand 1 hour. Drain and rinse.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 6–8 slices thick-cut bacon until crispy (about 8 minutes). Transfer to paper towels to drain and chop roughly once cool. Leave about 2 tablespoons bacon fat in the pan.
  3. Add 1 finely chopped medium yellow onion to the bacon fat; cook over medium heat until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add soaked, drained beans, sautéed onions and garlic, chopped bacon, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 4 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth to the crockpot. Stir gently to combine.
  5. Cover crockpot and cook on low for 7–8 hours or on high for 4–5 hours, until beans are tender and sauce is thickened. Stir occasionally if possible, and add a splash of water if mixture looks too dry.
  6. About 30 minutes before serving, season with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Adjust sweetness or acidity by adding a little more brown sugar or vinegar if desired.
  7. For extra bacon crunch, sprinkle a few reserved crispy bacon bits on top just before serving.

Notes

[‘Soak dried beans overnight or use quick soak to reduce cooking time and improve texture.’, ‘Use bacon fat to sauté onions and garlic for added smoky flavor.’, ‘Add salt toward the end of cooking to keep beans tender.’, ‘If sauce is too watery near the end, cook uncovered for 20-30 minutes to reduce.’, ‘For vegetarian version, omit bacon and use smoked paprika and liquid smoke; add sautéed mushrooms for texture.’, ‘Canned beans can be used by reducing liquid and shortening cook time to 2-3 hours on low.’, ‘Slow simmer on stovetop is possible if crockpot is unavailable, cook 1.5 to 2 hours until tender.’]

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/savory-crockpot-baked-beans-recipe-with-brown-sugar-and-crispy-bacon-made-easy/