Savory Crockpot Brown Sugar Baked Beans with Bacon
A comforting and flavorful baked beans recipe slow-cooked in a crockpot with brown sugar and crispy bacon, perfect for potlucks and weeknight meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 to 9 hours (low) or 4 to 5 hours (high)
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes to 9 hours 15 minutes (low) or 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups dried Great Northern Beans or Navy Beans, rinsed and soaked overnight
- 6 slices bacon, chopped (thick-cut recommended)
- 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Soak the beans: Place 2 cups of dried beans in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Let soak overnight (8-12 hours) until plump and soft. Drain and rinse before using. (For quick-soak, boil beans for 2 minutes then let sit for 1 hour.)
- Prep the bacon and veggies: Chop 6 slices of bacon into small pieces. Finely dice 1 medium yellow onion and mince 3 garlic cloves.
- Mix the sauce: In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 2 cups chicken broth. Stir until smooth and set aside.
- Assemble in crockpot: Add soaked and drained beans, chopped bacon, diced onion, and minced garlic to the crockpot. Pour the sauce mixture over the top and gently stir to combine.
- Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beans are tender but hold their shape and sauce is thickened.
- Season to taste: About 30 minutes before serving, taste and add salt and pepper as needed. If too thick, stir in a splash of water or broth.
- Final touches: For extra smoky crunch, sprinkle crispy cooked bacon on top before serving.
Notes
Soak beans overnight for best texture. Bacon can be cooked separately for crispiness or cooked in crockpot for tenderness. Use low sodium broth to control saltiness. Avoid lifting crockpot lid frequently to maintain temperature. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and add liquid smoke and extra smoked paprika. Canned beans can be used with reduced cooking time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 310
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 9
- Protein: 15
Keywords: baked beans, crockpot, slow cooker, brown sugar, bacon, comfort food, easy recipe, potluck, BBQ