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Cozy Crockpot Baked Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar

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A comforting and easy crockpot baked beans recipe featuring smoky bacon and sweet brown sugar, perfect for cozy dinners and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (about 450 g) dried navy beans, soaked overnight or quick-soaked
  • 6 slices bacon, chopped (preferably thick-cut)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon mustard (Dijon or yellow)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 cups (480 ml) water or broth
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: ½ teaspoon smoked paprika or chili powder

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 pound of dried navy beans and soak them overnight in at least 8 cups of water. For a quick soak, boil beans for 5 minutes, cover, and let sit for 1 hour. Drain and rinse before cooking.
  2. Cook 6 chopped slices of bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy but not burnt, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
  3. Add 1 finely chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the bacon fat and cook until softened and fragrant, about 4 minutes.
  4. Transfer soaked beans, cooked bacon, sautéed onions, and garlic into the crockpot. Add ½ cup packed brown sugar, ½ cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon mustard, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and 2 cups water or broth. Stir well to combine.
  5. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Add ½ teaspoon smoked paprika or chili powder if desired.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours until beans are tender but not mushy. Stir occasionally if possible.
  7. About 30 minutes before serving, taste and adjust seasoning. Add a splash of water if too thick, or more brown sugar or vinegar to balance sweetness and tang.
  8. If sauce is too watery at the end, switch crockpot to high, remove lid, and cook uncovered for 20-30 minutes to thicken.

Notes

Soak beans overnight or quick soak to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility. Cook bacon separately for best texture and flavor. Stir occasionally during cooking to prevent sticking. Adjust sweetness and tang by tasting near the end. For thicker sauce, cook uncovered on high for 20-30 minutes. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and add smoked paprika or liquid smoke, use vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, crockpot, slow cooker, bacon, brown sugar, easy dinner, comfort food, navy beans

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/cozy-crockpot-baked-beans-with-bacon-and-brown-sugar-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-dinner/