Ultimate Slow Cooker Baked Beans Recipe (from Scratch!)

There’s nothing quite like a hearty, comforting bowl of baked beans, especially when they’re made from scratch with love. Forget those bland canned versions; our Slow Cooker Baked Beans recipe elevates this classic comfort food to new heights. Utilizing dried beans and the incredible convenience of your slow cooker, this dish is a true game-changer. For the deepest, most authentic flavor, we highly recommend using a leftover ham bone or thick-cut bacon. This recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s a cherished family favorite that brings warmth and satisfaction to any table.

These rich, sweet, and savory beans make a perfect accompaniment to a variety of dishes. We particularly love serving them alongside succulent grilled chicken, tender pulled pork, or with a refreshing side of creamy coleslaw. Their versatility makes them ideal for backyard BBQs, holiday gatherings, or a cozy weeknight dinner.

Why Homemade Baked Beans Are Superior

While canned baked beans offer convenience, they simply can’t compare to the rich, nuanced flavors of a homemade batch. When you make baked beans from scratch, you’re in complete control of the ingredients. This means you can avoid high-fructose corn syrup, excessive sodium, and artificial flavors often found in commercial products. Instead, you create a wholesome dish bursting with natural goodness. The process of slow cooking dried beans allows them to absorb all the delicious flavors of the sweet and tangy sauce, resulting in a depth that canned beans can only dream of.

Beyond the superior taste and healthier profile, there’s immense satisfaction in preparing a classic dish from the ground up. It’s a culinary journey that transforms simple, humble ingredients into something truly extraordinary. Plus, it’s often more cost-effective in the long run, allowing you to feed a crowd without breaking the bank.

The Magic of Slow Cooking for Baked Beans

The slow cooker is an absolute revelation for baked beans. This method ensures an unparalleled tenderness in every bean, something that’s difficult to achieve with faster cooking methods. The extended cooking time allows the flavors from the ham bone, bacon, and the rich sauce to meld together seamlessly, creating a complex and deeply satisfying taste. It’s a “set it and forget it” approach that frees up your time while delivering exceptional results.

The gentle, consistent heat of a slow cooker prevents scorching and ensures even cooking, transforming dry, firm beans into melt-in-your-mouth morsels. This method is particularly forgiving, making it perfect for both novice cooks and seasoned chefs looking for a stress-free way to prepare a comforting meal. The aroma that fills your kitchen as these beans slowly simmer is an added bonus, a delicious preview of the feast to come.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Slow Cooker Baked Beans

Choosing the Right Beans

For this recipe, we recommend using one pound of dry Great Northern or navy beans. These white beans have a mild flavor and creamy texture that holds up beautifully to slow cooking, making them ideal for soaking up the rich sauce. Always start with dried beans; they provide a much better texture and flavor compared to pre-canned beans, which can become mushy. Make sure to sort through your dry beans before soaking them to remove any small stones or debris.

The Flavor Foundation: Ham Bone or Bacon

The secret to truly spectacular baked beans lies in the smoky, savory foundation provided by cured pork. A meaty ham bone, especially a leftover from a holiday feast, is gold. It imparts an incredible depth of flavor and tender pieces of ham into the beans. If you’ve just enjoyed a Christmas or Easter ham, don’t discard that bone! It’s the perfect opportunity to make this recipe.

If a ham bone isn’t available, don’t fret! Thick-cut bacon slices are an excellent alternative. The rendered bacon fat adds richness, and the crispy bacon bits can be stirred in at the end for added texture and flavor. You could also use chunks of leftover pork roast for a similar meaty contribution. While we haven’t tested this recipe with raw meat, cooked or cured pork provides the best results for flavor and consistency.

The Sweet and Tangy Sauce

Our signature sauce balances sweetness, tang, and umami perfectly. It’s built on a foundation of:

Brown Sugar and Molasses: These provide the classic sweetness and deep, caramelized notes synonymous with traditional baked beans. Molasses, in particular, adds a distinct, rich flavor and a beautiful dark color.
Tomato Sauce, Ketchup, and BBQ Sauce: This trio delivers a complex tang and savory base. Tomato sauce adds body and a subtle acidity, ketchup contributes a familiar sweetness and tang, and BBQ sauce introduces a layer of smoky, spiced goodness, tying all the flavors together.

Aromatics and Seasoning

Onion: One medium chopped onion adds a foundational aromatic sweetness and savory depth to the beans as it slowly cooks down.
Salt and Pepper: Essential for enhancing all the other flavors. Adjust to your taste preferences.

Liquid for Success

Water: About 2.5 cups of water ensure that the beans have enough liquid to fully hydrate and cook until tender without becoming a soup. The beans will absorb much of this liquid, creating a thick, rich sauce.

Preparation: Soaking Your Beans

Soaking dry beans is a crucial step that helps them cook more evenly, reduces cooking time, and can make them easier to digest. Most bean packages provide instructions, and there are two primary methods:

Overnight Soak Method (Traditional)

This is the most common method and requires minimal effort. Simply place your 1 pound of dry beans in a large bowl. Cover them with several inches of cold water (the beans will expand considerably). Let them soak at room temperature overnight, or for at least 8 hours. Before cooking, drain the soaked beans and rinse them thoroughly under cold water. This helps remove any starches that can cause gas.

Quick Soak Method (Faster Alternative)

If you’re short on time, the quick soak method is a great alternative that yields similar excellent results. To quick soak your beans:

Place the dry beans in a large pot.
Cover the beans with enough water to ensure they are submerged by at least two inches.
Bring the water to a rolling boil and let the beans cook for exactly 2 minutes.
Turn off the heat, cover the pot with a lid, and let the beans sit undisturbed for 1 hour.
After 1 hour, drain the beans and rinse them well under cold water. They are now ready for your slow cooker.

Whether you choose the overnight or quick soak method, thorough draining and rinsing are key before adding the beans to your slow cooker.

Overhead shot of beans in sauce and meaty ham bone in slow cooker.

Step-by-Step: Making Slow Cooker Baked Beans

Once your beans are properly soaked, the hard part is over! The slow cooker takes care of the rest, making this recipe incredibly hands-off.

Prepare Your Ingredients: Ensure your beans are soaked, drained, and rinsed. Chop your onion. Measure out all your sauce ingredients. If using bacon, you might want to crisp it up in a pan first, then chop it, reserving some of the rendered fat for extra flavor in the slow cooker.
Combine the Base Ingredients: In the basin of your slow cooker, add the soaked beans, chopped onion, brown sugar, molasses, tomato sauce, ketchup, BBQ sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir all these ingredients thoroughly until everything is well combined and the beans are evenly coated in the sauce.
Add the Liquid and Stir: Pour in the specified amount of water. Stir again to ensure that the liquid is well distributed throughout the bean mixture. This liquid is crucial for the beans to hydrate and cook perfectly.
Introduce the Protein: Carefully place your meaty ham bone into the bean mixture, pushing it down slightly so it is mostly submerged. If using bacon, add the chopped bacon at this stage (either raw if you want it to cook with the beans, or previously crisped bacon for texture). The ham bone or bacon will infuse the beans with a rich, smoky flavor as they cook.
Set the Slow Cooker: Secure the lid on your slow cooker. Set the appliance to the LOW setting and cook for 6 hours, or to the HIGH setting for 4 hours. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on your slow cooker model and the exact size and age of your beans. The beans should be tender, and the sauce should be thick and glossy.
Rest and Finish: Once the cooking time is complete, stir the beans gently. For the best consistency and to allow the flavors to deepen further, let the beans sit for an additional 20 to 30 minutes with the lid slightly ajar. This resting period allows the sauce to thicken slightly and the beans to absorb even more flavor.
Remove Ham Bone and Shred Meat: If you used a ham bone, carefully remove it from the slow cooker. Allow it to cool slightly, then pick off any tender meat and shred it. Stir this delicious shredded ham back into the baked beans for an extra burst of savory flavor.

Your homemade slow cooker baked beans are now ready to be enjoyed! Get ready for a delicious aroma and a truly satisfying dish.

Serving Suggestions for Your Homemade Baked Beans

These homemade baked beans are incredibly versatile and can be the star of your meal or a fantastic side dish. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

Classic BBQ Companion: Serve them warm alongside grilled burgers, hot dogs, ribs, or any of your favorite BBQ meats.
Hearty Side Dish: They pair wonderfully with grilled chicken, pulled pork sandwiches, or a juicy steak.
Holiday Feasts: A staple at holiday tables, these beans complement holiday hams or roasts beautifully.
Comfort Food Meal: Enjoy them simply with a slice of cornbread and a crisp green salad for a wholesome and satisfying meal.
Potlucks and Picnics: They travel well and are always a crowd-pleaser at gatherings. Just keep them warm in the slow cooker if serving at a potluck.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Baked beans are often even better the next day, as the flavors have more time to meld. Here’s how to properly store and reheat them:

Refrigeration: Allow the beans to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. They will keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: Baked beans freeze exceptionally well. Once cooled, spoon the beans into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty Ziploc bags, pressing out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating:
- Stovetop: Transfer the beans to a saucepan and heat gently over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. Add a splash of water or broth if they seem too thick.
- Microwave: For individual servings, microwave in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every minute, until hot.
- Oven: For larger batches, place beans in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake at 300°F (150°C) for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through.

Customizing Your Baked Beans: Variations & Tips

While our classic recipe is fantastic as is, there are many ways to customize your slow cooker baked beans to suit your taste preferences:

Add a Spicy Kick: For those who love a bit of heat, stir in a dash of your favorite hot sauce, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or a few dashes of red pepper flakes with the other sauce ingredients.
Smoky Flavor Boost: If you’re not using a ham bone or bacon, a teaspoon of liquid smoke can add a wonderful smoky depth. Smoked paprika can also contribute a similar flavor.
Additional Vegetables: Feel free to sauté some diced bell peppers (red or green) or minced garlic and add them to the slow cooker for extra flavor and texture. Cook them slightly before adding to prevent them from becoming too soft.
Herbaceous Notes: A sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme tied with kitchen twine can be added to the slow cooker during cooking and removed before serving for an aromatic touch.
Sweeter or Tangier: Adjust the brown sugar, molasses, ketchup, or BBQ sauce to achieve your preferred balance of sweet and tangy flavors. A tablespoon of apple cider vinegar can also enhance the tang.
Vegetarian Option: To make this recipe vegetarian, omit the ham bone or bacon. Instead, you can add smoked paprika, a dash of liquid smoke, or even some smoked tofu for a savory, smoky flavor. You might also want to increase the seasonings slightly to compensate for the missing meat flavor.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and make this recipe truly your own!

Recipe Card: Slow Cooker Baked Beans

Slow Cooker Baked Beans

Author: Anna

Comfort food classic made easy in the slow cooker with dried beans (no cans!). Use a leftover ham bone or bacon for best flavor. This recipe is a family favorite!

Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 6 hrs | Total Time: 6 hrs 10 mins

Course: Side Dish | Cuisine: American | Servings: 7 servings

Calories: 225 kcal

Ingredients:

1 lb dry great northern or navy beans
1 medium onion, chopped
½ cup packed brown sugar
⅓ cup molasses
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
¼ cup ketchup
¼ cup BBQ sauce
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
2.5 cups water
2 lbs meaty ham bone (or thick-cut bacon)

Instructions:

Soak beans according to package directions (overnight or quick soak).
In a slow cooker, place soaked beans, chopped onion, brown sugar, molasses, tomato sauce, ketchup, BBQ sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir well. Add water and stir again.
Add ham bone or bacon and stir to combine.
Set slow cooker on LOW and cook for 6 hours, or on HIGH for 4 hours.
When done, stir the mixture and let sit for 20 to 30 minutes with the lid slightly open to allow the sauce to thicken.
If using a ham bone, remove it, take off the meat, and stir it back into the beans.
To freeze, cool beans completely, then place in freezer-safe bags or containers.

Notes:

The prep time listed does not include the time required for soaking the beans.

Nutrition:

More Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes

Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Creamy Garlic Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole

We hope you enjoy this fantastic Slow Cooker Baked Beans recipe! If you make it, we’d love to see your creation. Snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag us @crunchycreamysweet so we can check it out and celebrate your culinary success!

This post was originally published on December 30th, 2015 and updated on May 21st, 2019.