The Best Slow Cooker Baked Beans

When it comes to baked beans these Slow Cooker Baked Beans are my go to every time.  Three types of beans, a delicious sauce, ground beef and bacon, you can’t go wrong.

Why These Slow Cooker Baked Beans Are the Ultimate Side Dish

Searching for the best slow cooker baked beans to elevate your next BBQ or family gathering? Look no further! This crockpot baked beans recipe combines three types of beans, savory ground beef, crispy bacon, and a rich, tangy sauce that’s bursting with flavor. Perfect for summer cookouts or cozy winter dinners, these slow cooker baked beans are easy to make, versatile, and guaranteed to impress. Whether you’re serving them as a side, piling them onto nachos, or enjoying them as a main dish, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser every time.

Slow Cooker Baked Beans

Baked beans are just one of those side that make everything taste better.  They enhance the flavor of all things BBQ and can be eaten as a side, as a sloppy joe or piled on top of nachos or a baked potato.

So I like to refer to Baked Beans as the side that keeps on giving.  There is know limit to how they can be eaten, what they can be eaten with, or what could be added to them.

What type of beans are used to make Baked Beans?

Because there are so many different variations of baked beans, it all depends on what type of beans you like and what you want to add to them, if anything at all.

I like using the following type of beans for my Baked Beans:

• Red kidney beans-they are darker in color, have a smooth glossy skin with a firmer texture.
• Butter beans-not to be confused with lima beans, are flat with a creamy mild taste.
• Original baked beans-are a navy bean baked in a molasses sauce.

Wether I am going to a BBQ, having a BBQ, or having people over for dinner I always try to incorporate The Best Slow Cooker Baked Beans.  They are just one of those dishes that seems to put the “comfort” into comfort food.

Not to mention, they are easy to make and can be eaten hot or cold.  If you are not a fan of ground beef that’s ok, you can use ground pork, chicken, turkey, or leave the meat out completely and make them vegetarian.

But the big deal is the sauce these Slow Cooker Baked Beans are cooked in.  It is whirlwind of flavors that smells amazing and tastes sensational.

What kind of molasses do you make for baked beans?

This is truly what makes the beans so good.

1. In a medium sauce add:
   • 1 medium onion chopped
   • 2 T brown sugar
   • 3 T apple cider vinegar
   • 3/4 cup ketchup
   • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
   • 1 t Worchestershire sauce
   • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
2. Mix all ingredient together and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.
3. Pour sauce over beans in slow cooker and cover.

How do you make The Best Slow Cooker Baked Beans?

1. In a large skillet cook ground beef, season with garlic salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.  Drain and set aside.
2. In another skillet partially cook 6 pieces of bacon, remove and roughly chop and mix into the ground beef.
3. In a medium sauce pan add: diced onions, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, dry mustard, and BBQ sauce.  Mix over low heat and let simmer 10 minutes.
4. Drain the kidney beans and the butter beans, then place both with the baked beans into a 6qt slow cooker.  Add in the ground beef and pour the sauce over the top.  Mix to combine and cook on low 4 hours.

What Makes These Baked Beans the Best?

This best baked beans recipe stands out for its unbeatable combination of ease and flavor:

• Effortless Prep: Toss everything into the slow cooker for a no-fuss side dish that’s ready in just 4 hours.
• Rich, Bold Sauce: A blend of BBQ sauce, ketchup, molasses-like flavors, and apple cider vinegar creates a perfectly balanced glaze.
• Customizable: Make it vegetarian, swap meats, or adjust the sweetness to suit your taste.
• Year-Round Appeal: Serve hot in winter or cold at summer BBQs for a versatile dish that always hits the spot.

Will baked beans make you poop?

Seems like this is a common question that runs through our minds, or a least some of our minds.

• Yes, beans can make you poop.  They contain a fiber like starch that can help balance your GI tract.
• Upping your fiber intake of beans can provoke gas and bloating, so increase your uptake gradually, but don’t avoid them all together.

Can I make these baked beans vegetarian?

Yes! Skip the ground beef and bacon, and use vegetable broth or extra BBQ sauce for a vegetarian crockpot baked beans recipe that’s just as flavorful.

Can I use different types of beans?

Absolutely! Swap kidney or butter beans for pinto, black, or navy beans to customize this best baked beans recipe to your preference.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to maintain the sauce’s consistency.

Can I freeze slow cooker baked beans?

Yes! Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat gently to avoid mushy beans.

Most of all Slow Cooker Baked Beans are perfect all year round.  They make an amazing side when it is cold and wintery outside warming you up with a dose of comfort food, or they add the spice to the summer outdoor fun and can be eaten hot or cold.

So know matter what type of weather you are having, Slow Cooker Baked Beans will add all the flavor you need to any occasion.

Slow cooker sides shouldn’t be difficult, but they should always be delicious.

Key ingredients use for this recipe:

• Red Kidney Beans
• Butter Beans
• Bush’s Baked Beans
• Worcestershire sauce
• Dry mustard, ground
• BBQ sauce
• Apple cider vinegar

What to serve with Slow Cooker Baked Beans?

• Honey Garlic Bacon Wrapped Chicken Kabobs
• Oven Baked BBQ Chicken
• BBQ Pulled Pork
• Strawberry Avocado Spring Salad
• Creamy Spinach Pasta Salad with Chicken
• The Best Italian Pasta Salad