Name: Slow Cooker Baked Beans
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 8 h
Total time: 8 h 20 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16-oz. thick-cut bacon, cut into small pieces; 1 medium sweet onion, chopped Sea salt and black pepper, to taste; 1 15.5-oz. can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed; 1 15.5-oz. can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed; 2 15.5-oz. cans great northern beans, drained and rinsed; 2 15-oz. cans black beans, drained and rinsed; 6 oz. tomato paste; 2 T. sugar-free Dijon mustard; 1/4 t. gluten-free liquid smoke; 1 c. real maple syrup; 2 c. chicken broth, preferably organic

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Slow Cooker Baked Beans are a hearty, flavor-packed side dish loaded with smoky bacon, tender beans, and a rich, sweet-and-savory sauce that slowly develops as it cooks.

Perfect for cookouts, potlucks, and family dinners, this Slow Cooker Recipe delivers classic baked bean flavor with minimal hands-on time.

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Why You’ll Love These Slow Cooker Baked Beans
What To Serve With Slow Cooker Baked Beans
Slow Cooker Baked Beans Recipe
More Slow Cooker Potluck Recipes

Why You’ll Love These Slow Cooker Baked Beans

This recipe brings bold flavor and easy preparation together in one dependable dish.

Slow-cooked flavor: Hours in the slow cooker allow the beans to soak up smoky, sweet, and savory goodness.
Hearty and filling: A mix of beans and bacon creates a satisfying, crowd-friendly side.
Make-ahead friendly: Ideal for gatherings since the slow cooker keeps everything warm and ready.
Classic comfort: Familiar flavors make this a reliable favorite at any table.

These Slow Cooker Baked Beans offer rich flavor, simple prep and comforting results every time.

What To Serve With Slow Cooker Baked Beans

This sweet-and-savory slow cooker side pairs best with hearty mains and fresh, simple sides that balance its rich, smoky flavor:

Grilled meats: Burgers, hot dogs, ribs or barbecue chicken complement the smoky sweetness of the beans.
Pulled pork or brisket: Tender, savory meats pair perfectly with the maple-sweetened sauce.
Cornbread or dinner rolls: Soft, slightly sweet breads soak up the rich bean sauce.
Coleslaw or fresh salad: Crisp, tangy sides add freshness and contrast.
Iced tea or lemonade: Cool, refreshing drinks balance the richness of the dish.

Slow Cooker Baked Beans are comforting yet balanced, making them ideal for cookouts, potlucks and casual family meals.

These pairings keep Slow Cooker Baked Beans comforting yet balanced, making them ideal for cookouts, potlucks and casual family meals.

Slow Cooker Baked Beans Recipe

Slow Cooker Baked Beans simmer a blend of bacon, onions and mixed beans in a maple-sweetened, smoky sauce that thickens beautifully as it cooks.

Prep time: 10 minutes (+ 10–15 minutes to brown bacon)
Cook time: 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low
Serves: 6–8

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

To make Slow Cooker Baked Beans, gather these kitchen tools:

Slow cooker (6-quart or larger): to cook the beans evenly and allow space for stirring
Large skillet: to brown the bacon and soften the onion
Slotted spoon: to transfer bacon and onion while draining excess grease
Cutting board: to chop bacon and onion
Chef’s knife: to cut bacon into small pieces and chop the onion
Measuring cups: to measure maple syrup and chicken broth
Measuring spoons: to measure seasonings, mustard, and liquid smoke
Can opener: to open beans and tomato paste
Wooden spoon or spatula: to stir everything together

These tools make it easy to prepare rich, smoky, and perfectly tender Slow Cooker Baked Beans every time.

Ingredients

These ingredients come together to create deeply flavorful baked beans with smoky, sweet and savory notes.

Thick-cut bacon
Sweet onion
Sea salt
Black pepper
Red kidney beans
Dark red kidney beans
Great northern beans
Black beans
Tomato paste
Sugar-free Dijon mustard
Gluten-free liquid smoke
Real maple syrup
Chicken broth

How To Make Slow Cooker Baked Beans

Add chopped bacon and onion to a large skillet, season with salt and black pepper, and cook over medium heat until the bacon begins to crisp and the onion softens, about 10–15 minutes.

Remove the skillet from heat and carefully drain excess grease.

Add the beans, bacon, and onion to a large slow cooker, then top with the tomato paste, Dijon mustard, liquid smoke, maple syrup, and chicken broth, stirring to combine.

Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours.

Remove the lid, stir to combine, taste, and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed before serving warm.

More Slow Cooker Potluck Recipes

Explore more slow cooker potluck recipes that make feeding a crowd easy with hearty, shareable favorites.

For more delicious Crockpot recipes!

The Stay-at-Home Chef Slow Cooker Cookbook: 120 Restaurant-Quality Recipes You Can Easily Make at Home The Complete Slow Cooker: From Appetizers to Desserts – 400 Must-Have Recipes That Cook While You Play Fix-It and Forget-It Big Cookbook: 1400 Best Slow Cooker Recipes!Skinnytaste Fast and Slow: Knockout Quick-Fix and Slow Cooker Recipes: A Cookbook

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Slow Cooker Baked Beans

Yield: 6-8

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours

Additional Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes

Slow Cooker Baked Beans are a hearty, flavor-packed side dish loaded with smoky bacon, tender beans, and a rich, sweet-and-savory sauce that slowly develops as it cooks.

Ingredients

16-oz. thick-cut bacon, cut into small pieces
1 medium sweet onion, chopped Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 15.5-oz. can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 15.5-oz. can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 15.5-oz. cans great northern beans, drained and rinsed
2 15-oz. cans black beans, drained and rinsed
6 oz. tomato paste
2 T. sugar-free Dijon mustard
1/4 t. gluten-free liquid smoke
1 c. real maple syrup
2 c. chicken broth, preferably organic

Instructions

Add chopped bacon and onion to a large skillet. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and cook over medium heat until bacon starts to get crispy and the onion is soft, approximately 10-15 minutes.
Remove skillet from heat and carefully drain excess grease. Set aside.
Add the beans, bacon, and onion to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker crock. Top with the tomato paste, Dijon mustard, liquid smoke, maple syrup, and chicken broth, and stir to combine.
Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours. Remove lid and stir to combine. Taste and season with additional salt and black pepper, if desired, before serving.