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Comforting Crockpot Baked Beans Recipe with Thick-Cut Bacon and Molasses Made Easy

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A hearty and flavorful baked beans recipe slow-cooked in a crockpot with thick-cut bacon and molasses, perfect for cozy family dinners and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups dry navy beans (soaked overnight)
  • 8 oz thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • ½ cup unsulfured molasses
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • ¼ cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 ½ cups dry navy beans and soak them in cold water overnight (8 to 12 hours). Drain and rinse before cooking.
  2. In a sauté pan over medium heat, cook 8 oz chopped thick-cut bacon until crispy and fat is rendered, about 6–8 minutes. Remove bacon bits with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pan.
  3. Add 1 medium finely chopped yellow onion to the bacon fat and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Transfer the soaked and drained beans into the slow cooker. Add the cooked onion, garlic, and bacon bits.
  5. Stir in ½ cup molasses, ¼ cup packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
  6. Pour 3 cups of water or low-sodium chicken broth over the mixture. Stir gently to combine.
  7. Set the crockpot to low and cook for 6 to 8 hours. Check around the 6-hour mark—beans should be tender but not falling apart. If too thick, stir in a splash more broth or water.
  8. Taste the beans towards the end of cooking and add more salt, pepper, or molasses if desired. Stir well and cook for another 15–30 minutes if adjustments are made.
  9. Spoon the beans into bowls or a serving dish and enjoy warm.

Notes

Soak beans overnight for best texture. Cook bacon first to render fat and sauté aromatics for richer flavor. Stir gently and avoid over-stirring to keep beans intact. Adjust seasoning at the end to prevent toughening beans. Use broth for added richness or water as a substitute. For quicker cooking, use canned beans and reduce cook time to 2–3 hours on high.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, crockpot recipe, slow cooker, molasses, thick-cut bacon, comfort food, navy beans, easy recipe

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/comforting-crockpot-baked-beans-recipe-with-thick-cut-bacon-and-molasses-made-easy/