There was a time when I thought baked beans only came out of a can. And, since we did away with most pre-made, canned foods back when we started our real food pledge, that means I didn’t have baked beans for a LONG time! As it turns out…I really like and missed baked beans. So needless to say, I am glad to have them back in my life and am also glad to be able to introduce them to my kids (they both gave this recipe two thumbs up – whew!). These beans would be the perfect addition to any summer BBQ, cookout, or picnic, AND they are just as delicious leftover, so if you are entertaining make your day even easier by cooking these a day in advance. We are officially ready for summer – bring it on!
Slow Cooker Baked Beans
If served alongside other side dishes, this recipe will feed a small crowd.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups dried navy beans (optional, but recommended: soak beans in water in the fridge for 6 to 8 hours and then drain)
- 8 oz bacon cooked and diced (organic and/or local recommended)
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 1 onion quartered
- 1 - 15-oz can tomato sauce plain
- 3/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- pepper black or red, to taste
Instructions
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Place the beans, bacon, bell pepper, and onion in the bottom of a slow cooker. Set aside.
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In a small bowl whisk together the tomato sauce, syrup, mustard, vinegar, chili powder, salt and pepper. Pour over top of bean mixture and then add 3 1/2 cups of water. Turn the slow cooker onto high and cook for 10 to 12 hours. Discard onion pieces and serve warm.
Recipe Notes
*To make this recipe Vegetarian, omit the bacon.
We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
Can these be frozen and warmed later. Would love to make a big batch and freeze for camping season.
Yes!
I can’t find navy beans. Can I substitute?
Great northern beans are a good sub. :)
Add little (organic, hippy) hotdogs and this is a great dinner.
I grew up with homemade baked beans and had no idea they came in a can or that they could be made with tomatoes before I moved to the UK for 9 months! My dad used to soak the beans saturday morning, place them in a covered roasting dish with water, onion, bay leaves, mustard powder, brown sugar and molasses (really makes things interesting!) and cover the beans with a layer of bacon! they would cook at 200F all night and we would have them with eggs and toast on sunday morning! MMM! Baked beans to me are definately breakfast!
That said, I found the tomato-ey baked beans from england which they also eat on buttered toast for breakfast a nice savory change to the one i had as a child and have been yearning for them since. The cans are definately not clean eating so i will definately try this recipe! Thanks!
Your baked beans looks so great. Can i cook this dish on low? If yes, how long will it take?
Hello Lita. We have not tried cooking these on low for a longer time.
Love the baked beans!
Could you add a ham hock in with the beans in the Crock-Pot? The full 10 hours?
You could. That’s how my grandmother used to make them. :)