Description
Pioneer Woman’s Slow Cooker Baked Beans are a slow-cooked version of the classic baked beans dish. The beans are simmered with bacon, onions, molasses, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, and other seasonings, resulting in a rich and flavorful side dish. Cooking the beans in a slow cooker allows the flavors to develop deeply and makes this dish incredibly convenient, especially when preparing for large gatherings or busy days.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound of dried navy beans (or 4 cans of navy beans, drained and rinsed)
- 8 slices of turkey bacon, chopped
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup of molasses
- 1/2 cup of ketchup
- 1/4 cup of brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika (optional, for extra smoky flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 3 cups of water (if using dried beans)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Beans: If using dried beans, rinse them and place them in a large pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, then remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 1 hour. Drain and rinse the beans, then add them to the slow cooker. If using canned beans, simply drain and rinse them, then add them directly to the slow cooker.
- Cook the Bacon and Onions: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until it’s crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside. In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion in the bacon fat until it’s soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Combine the Sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the molasses, ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika (if using), salt, and black pepper.
- Assemble the Beans: Add the cooked bacon and sautéed onions to the slow cooker with the beans. Pour the sauce mixture over the beans and stir to combine. If using dried beans, add 3 cups of water to the slow cooker.
- Cook the Beans: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Serve: Once the beans are done, taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired.