Delicious and Hearty Slow-Cooked Baked Beans

Enjoy the rich and smoky flavors of these slow-cooked baked beans. This recipe combines beans, bacon, and a savory blend of spices to create a dish that's both satisfying and comforting. Perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or cozy family dinners, these beans are sure to become a favorite.

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried navy beans
• 6 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups water

Directions

1. Rinse the navy beans under cold water and remove any debris.
2. In a large pot, add the beans and enough water to cover them by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let the beans soak for 1 hour. Drain and rinse the beans.
3. In a skillet, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside, leaving the bacon grease in the skillet.
4. In the same skillet with the bacon grease, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic over medium heat until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
5. In a slow cooker, combine the soaked beans, cooked bacon, sautéed onion and garlic, ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and water. Stir well to mix all the ingredients.
6. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the beans are tender.
7. Stir the beans occasionally during cooking to make sure they cook evenly and the flavors meld together.
8. Once the beans are tender, taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
9. Serve the slow-cooked baked beans hot as a side dish or as a main course with cornbread or grilled sausages.

Interesting Facts