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Cozy Baked Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar Slow Cooker Recipe

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A simple, soulful slow cooker baked beans recipe with smoky bacon and sweet brown sugar, perfect for busy weekends and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups dried navy beans, soaked overnight (or 4 cups canned, drained and rinsed)
  • 6–8 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for lighter version)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. If using dried navy beans, cover with cold water in a large bowl and soak overnight (8-12 hours). If using canned beans, skip this step.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
  3. Add chopped onion to the bacon fat and cook until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
  4. Drain soaked beans and add them to the slow cooker. Pour in sautéed onion, garlic, bacon, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and chicken broth. Stir gently to combine.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until beans are tender and sauce is thickened.
  6. About 30 minutes before serving, season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir and check texture. If sauce is too thin, leave lid off to reduce.
  7. Serve warm, optionally sprinkling reserved crispy bacon pieces on top.

Notes

Soaking dried beans overnight improves tenderness and digestibility. Use rendered bacon fat to sauté onions and garlic for smoky richness. Cook on low heat for best flavor melding. Stir occasionally if possible. Adjust brown sugar sweetness to taste before serving. Bacon can be substituted with smoked turkey for a leaner option. Maple syrup can replace brown sugar for different sweetness. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and use smoked paprika or liquid smoke and vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, slow cooker, bacon, brown sugar, comfort food, easy recipe, weekend meal, crowd-pleaser

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/cozy-baked-beans-with-bacon-and-brown-sugar-slow-cooker-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-busy-weekends/