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Cozy Slow Cooker Baked Beans Recipe with Bacon and Brown Sugar Made Easy

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A warm and comforting slow cooker baked beans recipe featuring smoky bacon and sweet brown sugar, perfect for chilly days and casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups dry navy beans (or Great Northern beans), soaked overnight
  • 6 slices bacon, chopped
  • ⅓ cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon salt, adjust to taste
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 ½ cups dry navy beans under cold water. Place in a large bowl and cover with at least 3 inches of water. Soak overnight (8-12 hours).
  2. Drain and rinse soaked beans. Chop 6 slices of bacon into bite-size pieces. Finely chop 1 medium onion and mince 3 cloves of garlic.
  3. In a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon for 4-5 minutes until it starts releasing fat but isn’t fully crisp.
  4. Add drained beans, partially cooked bacon, chopped onion, minced garlic, ⅓ cup packed brown sugar, ½ cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons yellow mustard, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 3 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (if using) into the slow cooker.
  5. Gently stir all ingredients with a wooden spoon until evenly combined.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. Halfway through cooking (3-4 hours on low), gently stir to prevent sticking and check liquid levels, adding water if needed.
  7. Once cooked, taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or brown sugar if desired. If sauce is too thin, remove lid and cook on high for 15-30 minutes to thicken.
  8. Optional: Mash a few beans with the back of a spoon before serving for creamier texture.

Notes

For gluten-free, verify Worcestershire sauce and ketchup labels. Vegetarian version: omit bacon and add 1 teaspoon liquid smoke plus 1 tablespoon olive oil. Stir gently halfway through cooking to avoid breaking beans. Adjust liquid as needed. Partial cooking of bacon releases fat without overcooking. Leftovers taste better after a day and can be frozen up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker baked beans, baked beans with bacon, brown sugar baked beans, comfort food, easy slow cooker recipe, smoky baked beans, cozy recipe

Find it online: https://tinastirs.com/cozy-slow-cooker-baked-beans-recipe-with-bacon-and-brown-sugar-made-easy/