Slow Cooker Baked Beans with Brown Sugar & Bacon

These homemade baked beans are a cozy side dish for cookouts, potlucks, or a simple family dinner. I used Great Northern beans instead of navy beans and pure maple syrup in place of molasses—and they turned out just as delicious!

Servings: 12

Prep time: About 20 minutes, plus soaking

Cook time: 8–10 hours on low

Ingredients

• 3 cups dried Great Northern beans, soaked overnight

• 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 1½ cups ketchup

• 1½ cups water

• 1 cup brown sugar

• ¼ cup pure maple syrup

• 1 tablespoon dry mustard

• 1 tablespoon salt

  
  

Instructions

1. Prepare the beans. Drain and rinse the soaked Great Northern beans, then place them in your slow cooker.

2. Add the remaining ingredients. Add the bacon, onion, ketchup, water, brown sugar, maple syrup, dry mustard, and salt. Stir until everything is evenly combined.

3. Slow cook. Cover and cook on low for 8–10 hours, or until the beans are fully tender. Stir occasionally if possible.

4. Serve. Stir well before serving. If the sauce becomes too thick during cooking, add a little extra water as needed.

   
   

My Kitchen Notes

Great Northern beans worked beautifully in this recipe. The pure maple syrup adds a mellow sweetness in place of the deeper flavor of molasses. Be sure to use pure maple syrup, rather than pancake syrup.

Serve alongside burgers, pulled pork, grilled chicken, or cornbread.

Adapted from Allrecipes’ “Slow Cooker Homemade Beans,” with Great Northern beans substituted for navy beans and pure maple syrup substituted for molasses. Instructions rewritten for Vine & Dandy Living.