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Slow Cooker Maple Baked Beans with Bacon

This dish features baked beans slowly simmered in a crockpot with smoky bacon and a touch of maple syrup, resulting in tender, glossy beans coated in a sweet and savory glaze. The long cooking process melds flavors and creates a hearty, comforting texture suitable for a cozy meal or family gathering.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 6 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups dried pinto beans soaked overnight if desired
  • 6 slices bacon chopped
  • 0.5 cup maple syrup pure for best flavor
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce for depth of flavor
  • 2 cups chicken broth or water if preferred
  • 1 tbsp mustard yellow or Dijon
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika optional for smoky flavor

Equipment

  • Slow cooker
  • Cooking spoon

Method
 

  1. Rinse the dried beans thoroughly, then soak them in water overnight or for at least 8 hours to soften. Drain and set aside.
  2. Cook the chopped bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy and fragrant, about 8 minutes. Remove and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
  3. In the slow cooker, add the soaked beans, cooked bacon, diced onion, minced garlic, maple syrup, barbecue sauce, chicken broth, mustard, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
  4. Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low heat for about 6 hours, or until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened to a glossy, sticky consistency. About halfway through, give the mixture a gentle stir to help flavors meld and prevent sticking.
  5. Once the beans are tender and the sauce is rich and shiny, taste and adjust seasoning if needed—add a squeeze of lemon or a dash of soy sauce for balance if desired.
  6. Serve the baked beans hot, with a spoonful of their thick, caramelized glaze nesting over the tender beans, perfect for spooning over rice or enjoying as a hearty side.

Notes

You can replace bacon with mushrooms or smoked paprika for a vegetarian version. If beans weren't soaked overnight, simmer them in boiling water until tender before adding to the slow cooker. Stir occasionally during cooking for even flavor distribution.