In the heart of Southern cooking, baked beans hold a special place. They are warm, hearty, and full of flavor, making them a perfect dish for gatherings or family dinners. This recipe for Crock Pot Baked Beans combines simple ingredients to create a delightful comfort food that everyone loves.
Why Make This Recipe
Crock Pot Baked Beans are easy to prepare and require minimal effort. You can set them to cook and forget about them until dinnertime. They are also a great side dish for barbecues, picnics, and potlucks. With their sweet and savory taste, these beans can satisfy any crowd.
How to Make Best Crock Pot Baked Beans
Ingredients:
- 4 cans (15 ounces each) navy beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon (optional)
Directions:
- In your crock pot, combine the navy beans, diced onion, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
- If using, add the crumbled bacon to the mixture and stir well.
- Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. Stir occasionally if possible.
- Once the beans are thick and bubbly, they are ready to serve.
How to Serve Best Crock Pot Baked Beans
Serve your delicious baked beans warm. They make a fantastic side dish for grilled meats, hot dogs, or even as a main dish with cornbread. You can top them with additional bacon or chopped green onions for extra flavor and presentation.
How to Store Best Crock Pot Baked Beans
After serving, store leftover baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should stay fresh for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the beans for longer storage. Just thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Tips to Make Best Crock Pot Baked Beans
- For a richer flavor, let the beans sit in the fridge overnight before cooking.
- Feel free to adjust the sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar and molasses to suit your taste.
- Try adding different spices or chopped peppers for a unique twist.
Variation
You can substitute navy beans with pinto beans or black beans for a different flavor profile. Adding a dash of hot sauce can spice things up if you like some heat.
FAQs
Can I make these beans vegetarian?
Yes! Simply omit the bacon and ensure that other ingredients, like Worcestershire sauce, are vegetarian.
How can I make the beans thicker?
If the beans are too runny, you can mash a few beans against the side of the crock pot to thicken the dish.
Can I prepare the beans the night before?
Absolutely! You can mix the ingredients and store them in the fridge. When ready, just pour them into the crock pot and start cooking.
Crock Pot Baked Beans
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 4 cans (15 ounces each) navy beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar Adjust sweetness to taste
- 1/4 cup molasses Adjust sweetness to taste
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce Ensure it’s vegetarian if needed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon (optional) Omit for vegetarian version
Instructions
Preparation
- In your crock pot, combine the navy beans, diced onion, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
- If using, add the crumbled bacon to the mixture and stir well.
Cooking
- Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. Stir occasionally if possible.
- Once the beans are thick and bubbly, they are ready to serve.