If you’ve been hunting for the perfect side dish that brings together smoky, sweet, and savory flavors all in one pot, then you’re going to adore this Classic BBQ Slow Cooker Baked Beans Recipe. It’s a wonderfully simple way to get tender, flavorful baked beans that practically melt in your mouth—plus, it cooks itself while you go about your day!
Why You Should Make This Recipe
Effortlessly Delicious: Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it do the magic while you relax or prep other dishes.
Perfect BBQ Companion: These beans have that classic smoky BBQ vibe that pairs perfectly with grilled meats, making your cookouts stand out.
Family-Friendly Favorites: The balance of sweetness, tang, and bacon-y goodness makes these beans a winner with kids and adults alike.
Flexible Timing: Whether you have 3 hours or 6 hours, cooking on high or low still yields tasty results, fitting any schedule.
Ingredients & Substitutions
The secret sauce behind this Classic BBQ Slow Cooker Baked Beans Recipe lies in using simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to create a rich and comforting dish. Each ingredient has a starring role, from the smoky bacon that infuses the beans with depth, to the mustard and barbecue sauce adding that signature tang and sweetness, all rounded out by tender onions and garlic.
- Baked Beans: Use canned baked beans for convenience—they’re already flavorful and tender, perfect for slow cooking.
- Bacon: Adds smoky richness and a bit of crisp texture; feel free to swap for turkey bacon for a lighter twist.
- Yellow Onion: Provides savory sweetness that mellows beautifully as it cooks low and slow.
- Barbecue Sauce: Your favorite brand will do; it brings that unmistakable smoky-sweet BBQ flavor.
- Yellow Mustard: Adds bright, tangy notes that balance the sweetness perfectly.
- Minced Garlic: Builds savory depth without overpowering the other flavors.
How to Make Classic BBQ Slow Cooker Baked Beans Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Bacon
Start by partially cooking the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it begins to render its fat but isn’t fully crisp yet. This step releases that incredible smoky flavor without making the bacon tough. Once done, transfer it to a cutting board and roughly chop it into bite-sized pieces, ready to mingle with the beans.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
Into your 4 to 6-quart slow cooker, add the canned baked beans, chopped bacon, diced onion, barbecue sauce, yellow mustard, and minced garlic. Give everything a good stir to make sure those flavors start to blend even before the slow cooking begins—this is where the magic mixes!
Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection
Set your slow cooker to low and cook for 5-6 hours or speed things up on high for 3-4 hours. You’re looking for tender, cooked-through onions and a bubbling mix that’s thickened beautifully. The slow cooker gently melds all the flavors, intensifying that BBQ spirit while keeping the beans perfectly soft.
How to Serve Classic BBQ Slow Cooker Baked Beans Recipe
Garnishes
For a little extra pop, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or green onions over the beans just before serving. A dash of smoky paprika or even some shredded sharp cheddar cheese on top works wonders too if you want to turn up the flavor dial.
Side Dishes
This Classic BBQ Slow Cooker Baked Beans Recipe is a superstar side for grilled ribs, juicy burgers, or pulled pork sandwiches. For a balanced meal, serve alongside cornbread, coleslaw, or a crisp green salad to add some fresh crunch.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to wow your guests? Serve these beans in rustic mini cast iron skillets or mason jars for a charming, casual vibe. You could also layer them in a BBQ-themed buffet alongside other classics, letting everyone help themselves to this smoky side.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This makes for an easy reheat-and-eat side dish the next day or two!
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully—just pop your cooled leftovers into a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw it overnight in the fridge for the best texture and flavor.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the beans gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions covered with a microwave-safe lid or wrap, heating in short bursts and stirring between.
FAQs
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Can I make this Classic BBQ Slow Cooker Baked Beans Recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! Simply omit the bacon and consider adding smoked paprika or liquid smoke to mimic that smoky flavor. You could also toss in some sautéed mushrooms for added texture and umami.
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What type of baked beans work best for this recipe?
Canned baked beans with a mild tomato-based sauce are perfect here. Choose a brand that isn’t overly sweet to balance with the BBQ sauce and mustard—this blend ensures delicious depth.
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Can I use fresh beans instead of canned?
You can, but they’ll need to be soaked and cooked beforehand since fresh beans require longer cooking times. Using canned beans keeps this recipe simple and quick—ideal for busy days.
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Is it okay to cook the beans on high instead of low?
Yes! Cooking on high for 3 to 4 hours works perfectly if you’re short on time, but slow cooking on low for 5 to 6 hours helps flavors meld even better and results in softer onions.
Final Thoughts
This Classic BBQ Slow Cooker Baked Beans Recipe is one of those feel-good dishes that bring warmth and flavor to any meal without fuss or stress. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving a cozy side, give this recipe a whirl—you might just find your new favorite BBQ companion!
Print
Classic BBQ Slow Cooker Baked Beans Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Classic BBQ Slow Cooker Baked Beans recipe combines hearty baked beans with smoky bacon, tangy barbecue sauce, yellow mustard, and garlic, slow-cooked to perfection. Ideal for potlucks, barbecues, or as a comforting side dish, the slow cooker makes it easy to develop deep, rich flavors with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Beans Mixture
- 2 (28-ounce) cans baked beans
- 1/2 large yellow onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
Bacon
- 6 strips bacon
Instructions
- Partially Cook Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, partially cook the 6 strips of bacon to render some of the fat, allowing it to get slightly crispy but not fully cooked. This helps develop flavor and texture for the beans.
- Chop Bacon: Transfer the cooked bacon strips onto a cutting board and roughly chop them into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine Ingredients: In a 4-6 quart slow cooker, add the 2 cans of baked beans, 1/2 chopped yellow onion, 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, 2 teaspoons yellow mustard, 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic, and the chopped bacon. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Cook Beans: Cover and cook the mixture on low heat for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The beans should be heated through, and the onions will become tender and fully cooked.
- Serve: Once cooked, stir the beans lightly, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve hot as a savory side dish or main accompaniment at your meal.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze leftover beans in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
