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Easy Crockpot Baked Beans Recipe for Classic BBQ Flavor at Home

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This easy crockpot baked beans recipe delivers a rich, smoky, and slightly sweet BBQ flavor with minimal effort. Perfect as a comforting side dish for BBQs or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dry navy beans (about 2 cups) – soaked overnight
  • 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or water
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped (optional for vegetarian version)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 pound of dry navy beans under cold water, then soak them overnight (8-12 hours) in a large bowl with enough water to cover by at least 2 inches. For a quick soak, boil beans for 5 minutes, then let sit covered for 1 hour. Drain and rinse before cooking.
  2. Chop 4 slices of bacon into small pieces. Dice 1 medium yellow onion and mince 3 garlic cloves.
  3. In a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy and fat renders, about 5-7 minutes. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Toss in garlic and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant. Transfer mixture to the crockpot.
  4. Add soaked and drained beans along with 6 cups of low-sodium vegetable broth or water to the crockpot.
  5. Add 3 tablespoons tomato paste, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons molasses, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently to combine.
  6. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beans are tender and sauce is thickened. Check liquid halfway through and add water if needed.
  7. About 30 minutes before serving, taste and adjust seasoning. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper if desired.
  8. Serve warm alongside grilled meats, cornbread, or on toasted buns.

Notes

Soaking beans overnight improves texture and reduces cooking time. Cooking bacon and onions first layers flavor. Keep crockpot lid closed during cooking to retain moisture. If sauce is too thin near the end, cook uncovered on high for 20-30 minutes to thicken. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and smoked paprika, add liquid smoke instead. Canned beans can be used but add in last hour to avoid mushiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, crockpot baked beans, BBQ side dish, slow cooker beans, easy baked beans, classic BBQ flavor

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