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Cozy Crockpot Baked Beans Recipe with Brown Sugar Bacon Crumble

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A warm, hearty baked beans recipe slow-cooked to perfection with a sweet and smoky brown sugar bacon crumble topping. Perfect for cozy gatherings and easy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups dried navy beans, rinsed and sorted (or about 4 cups cooked/canned, rinsed and drained)
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
  • 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional but recommended)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups water or broth

Instructions

  1. If using dried navy beans, rinse and soak them overnight in cold water (about 8 hours). Drain and rinse before cooking. If using canned, rinse and drain thoroughly to reduce sodium.
  2. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add diced bacon and cook until crispy, about 8–10 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Reserve a tablespoon of the bacon fat in the pan.
  3. In the same skillet with the bacon fat, add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds more until fragrant. Remove from heat.
  4. Add soaked and drained beans to the crockpot. Stir in sautéed onion and garlic, ketchup, yellow mustard, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour in 2 cups (480 ml) of water or broth. Stir to combine.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or until beans are tender but not falling apart. Check occasionally—if the liquid is evaporating too quickly, add a bit more water.
  6. About 30 minutes before serving, taste and adjust salt, pepper, or sweetness if needed.
  7. Just before serving, sprinkle the crispy brown sugar bacon crumble on top for that irresistible crunch and caramelized sweetness.
  8. Serve warm as a side or a hearty main.

Notes

Soak dried beans overnight to reduce cooking time and prevent mushiness. Monitor liquid levels during cooking and add more water or broth if needed. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and add smoked paprika and liquid smoke with maple syrup replacing brown sugar. If using canned beans, reduce cooking time to 1-2 hours to avoid mushiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, crockpot, slow cooker, bacon crumble, brown sugar, comfort food, easy recipe, navy beans

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/cozy-crockpot-baked-beans-recipe-with-brown-sugar-bacon-crumble-easy-and-delicious/