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Cozy Crockpot Baked Beans with Bacon Recipe for Memorial Day BBQ

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A comforting and smoky baked beans recipe cooked low and slow in a crockpot, perfect for Memorial Day BBQs. This easy side dish combines tender beans with crispy bacon and a sweet-tangy sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (about 300g) dry navy beans or great northern beans, soaked overnight
  • 6 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup (50g) brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup (120ml) ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups (480ml) water or broth

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 ½ cups (300g) dry navy or great northern beans and soak them overnight in plenty of cold water (about 8 hours). If using canned beans, drain and rinse well.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook 6 chopped bacon strips until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate using a slotted spoon, leaving the fat in the skillet.
  3. In the same skillet with bacon fat, add 1 finely chopped medium onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Drain the soaked beans and place them in the crockpot. Add cooked bacon, sautéed onions and garlic, ¼ cup (50g) brown sugar, ½ cup (120ml) ketchup, 2 tablespoons yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Pour in 2 cups (480ml) water or broth, enough to just cover the beans. Stir to combine.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Check occasionally after 6 hours to stir and add water if it looks dry.
  7. Near the end, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Beans should be tender but not mushy, and sauce thickened to a rich, glossy finish.
  8. Let the baked beans rest for 10 minutes before serving to thicken further. Serve warm alongside grilled meats and sides.

Notes

Soaking beans overnight improves texture and reduces cooking time. Use broth instead of water for deeper flavor. Stir gently to keep beans whole. If sauce is too thin, remove lid in last 30 minutes to thicken. Adjust seasoning near end of cooking. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and add liquid smoke and extra smoked paprika.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, crockpot baked beans, bacon baked beans, Memorial Day BBQ, slow cooker beans, smoky baked beans, easy side dish

Find it online: https://clunkcook.com/cozy-crockpot-baked-beans-with-bacon-recipe-for-memorial-day-bbq/