These homemade slow cooker baked beans loaded with bacon and sweetened with molasses and coconut sugar are so much better than store-bought beans. They make for a great bbq side dish or brunch buffet item.
Ok, confession time! Solal and I LOVE canned baked beans. You know, the full-of-sugar-but-very-delicious kind? The brand's name starts with an H and the cans are turquoise?
Yep, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
Now, for someone who claims to eat whole and unprocessed food, this is quite ironic. But what can I say?
I'm only human and they know how to make this stuff very addictive, don't they?!
I never stock up on ready-made baked beans to make sure it stays an exceptional treat, but once in a while we have them for brunch and we enjoy them thoroughly.
But truly, I'm all about unprocessed and real food (yes, for real!) so I thought I should simply make some equally delicious baked beans at home!
That way, I know exactly what goes into my body and in my experience, homemade dishes are usually 10 times better than their store-bought equivalent.
These slow cooker baked beans are ridiculously easy to make!
It does take some time, though because you need to soak the beans overnight and cook them for about 8 hours. But obviously, it's mostly hands-off and you can use your time to work out, clean your house or prepare a main to go with your baked beans!
Now let's be clear. Homemade slow cooker baked beans do not taste like canned baked beans. At all.
The flavors and texture are very different but in my opinion, these slow cooker baked beans with bacon, molasses and a hint of coconut sugar have way more depth of flavor and are very comforting.
Give them a try, and let me know what you think! Enjoy 🙂
If you tried these Slow Cooker Baked Beans, don’t forget to rate the recipe below and let me know how it went in the comments – I love hearing from you! You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more deliciousness and behind-the-scenes!
Slow Cooker Baked Beans
Ditch the cans and make a casserole of homemade slow cooker baked beans loaded with bacon and sweetened with molasses and a hint of coconut sugar. These are so much better than store-bought beans and make for a great bbq side dish or brunch buffet item.
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried navy beans
- 9 oz short cut bacon slices, chopped 250 g, turkey bacon also works
- 1 large onion chopped
- 3 tbsp molasses
- ½ cup tomato paste
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
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Place navy beans in a large glass bowl and fill with water. Soak overnight or at least 8 hours. Drain and transfer beans in the slow cooker (I use this one).
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Add bacon, onion, molasses, tomato paste, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined. Stir in 1 ½ cups of water.
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Close the lid and cook on low for 8 hours, stirring from time to time if you can. Taste, adjust salt if needed and serve.
40A.
Bacon and molasses are key to good baked beans and I love how hands-off this recipe is! I also really like that these are relatively thick - I am not a fan of baked beans if the sauce is too runny so this looks like the perfect recipe for me.
Jackie
Mmmmm!!!! Best baked bean recipe I've ever tried. Thanks!
Marie
So happy to read that Jackie, thank you! 🙂
Kathy
I want to try this but one question after you soak the beans do you boil them first or just take them from soaking and put right in the slow cooker
Marie
You put them right in the slow cooker, no need to boil them as they will cook in the slow cooker 🙂
Cecil
Do you cook the bacon first?
Marie
Hi Cecil. Nope, no need to cook first. Cheers
Emily
Delicious!!!!! Best baked beans I’ve ever had!! I’m making them for the 2nd time today!
Marie
Hi Emily! Oh girl, that makes me smile from ear to ear! Thanks so much for sharing! Enjoy those yummy beans!
Monique Desloges
Looking forward to these baked bean!!! One question, is that 8 hours on high or low!
Marie
It's 8 hours on low 🙂
Melissa
Can I freeze these if I’ve made too much?
Marie
Yes, that should be fine!
Betty-Ann
Can this recipe be doubled?
Marie
If your slow-cooker is big enough, absolutely!