Savory Crockpot BBQ Baked Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar
A smoky, sweet, and tangy baked beans recipe slow-cooked in a crockpot with bacon and brown sugar, perfect for parties and casual get-togethers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours (low) or 3 to 4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes (low) or 3 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cans (15 oz each) canned navy beans, drained and rinsed
- 8 slices bacon, chopped
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (about 100 g)
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (240 ml)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add chopped bacon. Cook until crispy, about 7-9 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet.
- Add chopped onion to the skillet with bacon fat. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and sauté for another 1 minute until fragrant. Transfer the mixture to the crockpot.
- Drain and rinse the canned navy beans. Add them to the crockpot with the onion and garlic mixture.
- Stir in brown sugar, barbecue sauce, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt to taste. Mix well to combine all flavors evenly.
- Add the crispy bacon pieces into the crockpot. Stir gently to distribute without breaking up the beans.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until beans are tender and sauce is thickened. If sauce is too thin near the end, remove lid and cook on high for 15-20 minutes to thicken.
- Give the beans a gentle stir and taste for seasoning. Adjust salt, pepper, or vinegar if needed. Serve warm.
Notes
Crisp the bacon before adding to the crockpot for better texture. Rinse and drain canned beans to avoid soupy texture. For gluten-free, verify barbecue and Worcestershire sauces. Variations include vegetarian version by omitting bacon and adding smoked paprika or liquid smoke. Can be adapted for stove-top cooking by simmering for 45-60 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (240 ml)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 12
- Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 8
- Protein: 12
Keywords: baked beans, crockpot, BBQ, bacon, brown sugar, slow cooker, party recipe, smoky, sweet, easy side dish