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Cozy Brown Sugar Baked Beans Slow Cooker Recipe with Bacon

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A comforting slow cooker baked beans recipe featuring brown sugar and smoky bacon, perfect for cozy gatherings and easy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dry navy beans (or Great Northern beans), soaked overnight
  • 6 strips thick-cut bacon
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar (dark or light)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 4 cups chicken broth or water (low sodium preferred)
  • Salt to taste (start with 1 teaspoon)
  • Black pepper to taste (start with ½ teaspoon)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse and soak 1 pound of dry navy beans overnight in plenty of cold water. For a quick soak, boil beans for 5 minutes then let sit for 1 hour.
  2. Chop 6 thick-cut bacon strips into small pieces. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and reserve bacon fat in skillet.
  3. Add chopped onion to bacon fat and sauté until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
  4. In a bowl, whisk together brown sugar, tomato paste, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and chicken broth until smooth.
  5. Drain and rinse soaked beans well.
  6. Add drained beans to the slow cooker. Pour sauce mixture over beans. Stir in sautéed onions, garlic, and crispy bacon pieces. Season with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika if using.
  7. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beans are tender and sauce is thick and glossy. Stir once or twice during cooking to prevent sticking.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If sauce is too thin, cook uncovered on high for 15-30 minutes to thicken. Serve warm.

Notes

Soaking beans overnight is important for tenderness and reduced cooking time. Crisp bacon first and use its fat to sauté onions and garlic for layered flavor. Cook low and slow for best texture and flavor. Add liquid smoke or smoked paprika for vegetarian smoky flavor. Remove lid at end to thicken sauce if needed. Leftovers store well refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, slow cooker, brown sugar, bacon, comfort food, easy recipe, smoky baked beans

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