Delicious and Easy Slow Cooker Baked Beans Recipe

This slow cooker baked beans recipe is a perfect side dish for any barbecue or summer gathering. The beans are cooked low and slow with a flavorful combination of bacon, onions, and spices, resulting in a deliciously sweet and smoky dish. The best part? It requires minimal effort, with the slow cooker doing all the work. Serve these baked beans alongside grilled meats or as a vegetarian main dish with cornbread for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried navy beans
• 8 cups water
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 slices bacon, diced
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Directions

1. Rinse the navy beans under cold water and remove any debris or stones. Place the beans in a large bowl and cover with water. Let them soak overnight.
2. In the morning, drain the soaked beans and transfer them to a slow cooker. Add diced onion, minced garlic, and diced bacon to the slow cooker.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Pour the mixture over the beans in the slow cooker and stir to combine.
4. Pour 8 cups of water into the slow cooker, ensuring that the beans are fully submerged in liquid.
5. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours, or until the beans are tender and the liquid has thickened to a desired consistency. Stir occasionally during cooking.
6. Once the beans are cooked, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. You can add more salt, sugar, or spices according to your preference. If the sauce is too thin, remove the lid and cook for an additional 30 minutes to reduce and thicken.
7. Serve the slow cooker baked beans hot as a side dish with your favorite grilled meats or as a vegetarian main dish. They pair perfectly with cornbread!
8. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The beans can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop.

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