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Cozy Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Baked Beans with Bacon

slow cooker brown sugar baked beans - featured image
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A comforting slow cooker recipe featuring navy beans simmered with smoky bacon and sweet brown sugar, perfect for cozy gatherings and easy meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups dry navy beans
  • 6 slices bacon, chopped
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar (dark brown sugar preferred)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt to taste
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 ½ cups of dry navy beans under cold water. Soak them overnight in a large bowl with enough water to cover by 2 inches (about 8 cups). For a quick soak, boil the beans for 5 minutes, then let sit covered for 1 hour. Drain and rinse before cooking.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook 6 chopped slices of bacon until crisp (about 6-8 minutes). Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan.
  3. Add the finely chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the bacon fat. Cook over medium heat until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add the soaked and drained beans, cooked onions and garlic, bacon, ½ cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons yellow mustard, ½ cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, salt to taste, and ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper into the slow cooker.
  5. Pour in 2 cups of water or low-sodium chicken broth.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours until beans are tender but hold their shape and the sauce is thick and sticky.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. If the sauce is too thin, remove the lid and cook on high for 15-30 minutes to thicken, stirring occasionally.

Notes

Soaking beans overnight reduces cooking time and improves texture. Use thick-cut bacon for best flavor. Stir halfway through cooking to prevent sticking. Adjust seasoning at the end for best balance. For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and use smoked paprika or liquid smoke with vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker baked beans, brown sugar baked beans, baked beans with bacon, comfort food, easy slow cooker recipes, navy beans recipe

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