The Ultimate Homemade Crock Pot Baked Beans: A Sweet & Savory Slow Cooker Recipe for Any Gathering
There’s something truly special about a classic plate of baked beans. For many years, the convenience of cracking open a can from the grocery store was my go-to. I’d often try to elevate them a bit with a dash of brown sugar or a splash of barbecue sauce, but truth be told, they were still essentially canned beans. While quick and easy, this approach often left me wanting more – a richer flavor, a more authentic texture, and that unmistakable homemade touch.
This year, a culinary shift was in order. I was determined to master a homemade baked beans recipe that was not only incredibly easy but also so undeniably delicious that it would become a staple at every family gathering and summer barbecue. And let me tell you, these crock pot baked beans have surpassed all expectations. They are a game-changer, promising a depth of flavor and a tender consistency that canned varieties simply cannot match.
The saying “nothing beats homemade” holds especially true for baked beans. While it does involve a little more effort than simply heating a can, the difference in taste is monumental and absolutely worth it. The hands-on time is minimal: you’ll measure out a few key ingredients and brown some savory bacon. After that, your trusty slow cooker takes over, transforming simple ingredients into a pot of rich, flavorful beans. Don’t even think about skipping the bacon – it’s a non-negotiable ingredient that infuses the beans with an incredible smoky depth.
This exceptional recipe is inspired by a classic from Food Network, which I’ve carefully adapted and refined to suit our family’s preferences and, crucially, to optimize for the crock pot. The original version called for 6-8 hours of oven baking, which, let’s be honest, isn’t ideal during the scorching heat of summer. Who wants their oven running all day when temperatures are soaring? My slow cooker adaptation ensures the beans cook perfectly tender without overheating your kitchen, and the consistency is just right – thick, rich, and never watery.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Homemade Baked Beans
Crafting these delectable baked beans requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients, each playing a vital role in achieving that perfect balance of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to gather:
- Dried Northern Beans: The foundation of our recipe. Northern beans are cherished for their creamy texture and mild flavor, which readily absorbs the rich sauce. Using dried beans, though requiring an overnight soak, yields a far superior result compared to canned beans, offering a firmer bite and a more authentic taste.
- Bacon: Absolutely indispensable! Crispy, browned bacon adds an incredible smoky, salty dimension that elevates the beans from good to extraordinary. The rendered bacon fat also contributes to the richness of the sauce.
- Onion: Finely chopped onion provides a sweet and aromatic base, softening and caramelizing as it cooks, lending a foundational savory flavor to the beans.
- Jalapeno: Don’t let the thought of heat deter you! Finely chopped jalapeno introduces a subtle warmth and a fresh, peppery background note that enhances the overall complexity without making the dish overtly spicy. The long cooking time mellows its heat significantly.
- Tomato Paste: This concentrated tomato flavor adds a tangy sweetness and helps to thicken the sauce, contributing to its rich, deep color.
- Brown Sugar: A key component for that signature sweet and savory profile. Brown sugar offers a deep, molasses-like sweetness that perfectly complements the other savory ingredients.
- Molasses: For authentic baked beans, molasses is a must. It provides a distinct, robust sweetness and a sticky, syrupy texture that is characteristic of traditional baked beans.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the other flavors and bring them into harmony.
- Cayenne Pepper: Just a touch of cayenne pepper adds another layer of subtle warmth, complementing the jalapeno and rounding out the flavor profile without overwhelming it.
- Chicken Broth: Provides the necessary liquid for the beans to cook down, infusing them with savory depth as they become tender.
Mastering Homemade Baked Beans from Scratch in Your Slow Cooker
Making baked beans from scratch might sound intimidating, but with a slow cooker, it’s surprisingly straightforward. The majority of the work happens overnight and during a hands-off cooking period. Follow these steps for the best homemade crock pot baked beans:
- Prepare Your Dried Beans: The Overnight Soak. Start with your dried Northern beans. The night before you plan to cook, place them in a large container. Cover them with plenty of cold water, ensuring they are fully submerged (as directed on the package, usually at least 2 inches above the beans). Cover the container and refrigerate overnight. This crucial step rehydrates the beans, reduces cooking time, and helps them cook evenly and become perfectly tender. In the morning, simply drain the soaked beans thoroughly, reserving some of the liquid for later.
- Crispy Bacon, Crucial Flavor. Bacon is not just an optional garnish; it’s a fundamental flavor builder in this recipe. Cook your pound of bacon until it’s wonderfully crispy. You can do this the day before to save time, storing the cooked, chopped bacon in an airtight container. The rendered bacon fat can also be saved and used to sauté your aromatics for an even deeper flavor. Once cooked, chop the bacon into small pieces.
- The “Dump and Forget” Method. This recipe truly shines in its simplicity for the slow cooker. Once your beans are soaked and drained, and your bacon is ready, it’s time to assemble. Add the drained beans, the cooked and chopped bacon, sautéed onion and jalapeno (see step 4), tomato paste, brown sugar, molasses, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and chicken broth to your crock pot. If you reserved some of the bean soaking liquid, add 2 cups of that as well for extra depth. Stir all the ingredients together until they are well combined, ensuring the beans are fully coated in the rich sauce.
- Sautéing Aromatics for Depth. Before adding them to the crock pot, sauté the finely chopped onions and jalapenos in a skillet for about 5 minutes, or until they are soft and fragrant. This step mellows their raw flavor and brings out their sweetness, which will beautifully integrate into the bean sauce.
- Slow Cook to Perfection. Set your crock pot to low and let it cook for approximately 8-10 hours. The exact time may vary slightly depending on your slow cooker and the age of your beans, but the goal is for the beans to become wonderfully soft and tender, absorbing all the incredible flavors of the sauce. Give them a stir occasionally if you’re home, but largely, it’s a hands-off process.
Choosing the Best Beans for Your Baked Beans
While this recipe specifically calls for Northern Beans due to their desirable flavor and texture, the beauty of homemade baked beans is their versatility. You can achieve fantastic results using a few other types of dried beans, following the exact same preparation method:
- Navy Beans: Often considered the traditional choice for baked beans, Navy beans are small, oval, and cook down into a creamy consistency, perfect for absorbing rich flavors.
- Kidney Beans: These larger, reddish-brown beans have a robust flavor and a hearty texture that holds up well during long cooking times, providing a substantial bite.
- Pinto Beans: Popular for their earthy flavor and creamy texture when cooked, pinto beans are another excellent choice that will marry well with the sweet and savory sauce.
The step of using dried beans, even with the overnight soak, is undeniably worth the minimal extra effort. It ensures a superior texture – firm yet tender, never mushy – and a depth of flavor that simply cannot be replicated with canned beans. Canned beans tend to break down too much and lack the distinct character that dried beans bring to this classic dish. Embrace the soak; your taste buds will thank you!
So this summer, make the delicious decision to break away from the can and try this incredible homemade baked beans recipe. It’s guaranteed to be a hit at all your outdoor gatherings and potlucks. Everyone will rave about the rich, sweet, and savory flavors, and you’ll love how easy it is to prepare in the slow cooker. Plus, the leftovers are absolutely divine, making them perfect for enjoying over the next couple of days. Prepare a big batch on Friday, and you’ll have a delicious side dish or even a light meal ready for the entire weekend!
Perfect Pairings: What Goes With Baked Beans?
Baked beans are the quintessential side dish for so many classic American meals. Their sweet and savory profile makes them incredibly versatile. Here are some of our favorite main dishes that pair perfectly with a hearty serving of these homemade baked beans:
- Best Turkey Burgers: The lean, flavorful turkey burger is a fantastic contrast to the rich beans.
- Smoked Baby Back Ribs: A match made in heaven! The smoky, tender ribs find their perfect counterpart in the sweet, tangy beans.
- Grilled Pork Chops: A classic pairing, the savory grilled pork is wonderfully complemented by the robust flavor of the beans.
- Poor Man’s Burnt Ends: These tender, flavorful beef bites are incredible alongside a generous scoop of homemade baked beans.
More Tasty Summer Side Dish Recipes to Complete Your Meal
Looking for more delicious accompaniments for your summer spreads? These recipes are perfect alongside your homemade baked beans or as standalone stars at any barbecue:
- Cranberry Apple Coleslaw
- Lemon Herb Potato Salad
- Tomato Mozzarella Salad
- Caprese Pasta Salad
- Classic Potato Salad
- Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
- Grilled Potato Packs
- BLT Salad
Baked Beans Recipe
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Equipment
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Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 pound Northern Beans, dried
- 1 pound bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 jalapenos, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions
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Place dried beans in a large container. Cover with water as directed on the package. Place in fridge overnight to soak.
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Drain beans, reserving 2 cups of the liquid for cooking.
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In a skillet, saute onions and jalapeno until soft, about 5 minutes.
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To the crock pot add all of the ingredients, including the 2 cups of reserved liquid. Stir until well combined.
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Turn on low and cook for 8-10 hours until the beans are cooked.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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