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Comforting Crockpot Baked Beans Recipe Easy Smoky BBQ Flavor

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A simple, no-fuss crockpot baked beans recipe with a smoky BBQ flavor that’s perfect for cozy dinners and gatherings. Tender beans meld with smoky spices and a homemade sauce for a comforting dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups cooked navy beans or great northern beans (about 2 cans, drained and rinsed)
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped (optional for vegetarian version)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup smoky BBQ sauce (e.g., Stubb’s Smokey Mesquite)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional but recommended)
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup water or broth

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients (10 minutes): Chop the bacon into small pieces, finely dice the onion, and mince the garlic. Drain and rinse the canned beans thoroughly.
  2. Cook the Bacon and Aromatics (8 minutes): In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. In the same skillet with the bacon fat, sauté the onion until translucent (about 4 minutes), then add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Mix the Sauce (5 minutes): In a bowl, combine the BBQ sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, liquid smoke, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to blend.
  4. Combine in Crockpot (5 minutes): Add the drained beans, cooked bacon, sautéed onions and garlic, and the BBQ sauce mixture to the crockpot. Pour in 1 cup (240 ml) of water or broth to loosen the mixture.
  5. Cook Low and Slow (4-6 hours): Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours. Stir once or twice if possible. This slow cooking lets the flavors meld and the beans become tender and creamy. If you notice it drying out, add a splash more water.
  6. Final Touches (2 minutes): About 10 minutes before serving, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. For creamier texture, blend about 1 cup of the beans with some sauce and stir back in.

Notes

For vegetarian version, omit bacon and add extra smoked paprika and liquid smoke. Use vegetable broth instead of water. Stir beans gently halfway through cooking to prevent sticking. To thicken sauce, cook uncovered on high for last 30 minutes or reduce on stove. Cooking on high for 2-3 hours is possible but flavors are less developed. Leftovers store well in fridge for 4 days or freeze for longer storage.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot baked beans, smoky BBQ beans, slow cooker beans, easy baked beans, comfort food, BBQ side dish, vegetarian baked beans

Find it online: https://yumbelle.com/comforting-crockpot-baked-beans-recipe-easy-smoky-bbq-flavor/