5-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Beans With Bacon

By Diana Rattray

Updated 05/28/19

5 ingredient slow cooker beans with bacon
Diana Rattray
  • Total: 5 hrs 15 mins
  • Prep: 15 mins
  • Cook: 5 hrs
  • Yield: 6 servings

If you're looking for a dish for a barbecue, potluck supper, or game day party, slow cooker baked beans are an excellent choice. But don't wait for a special occasion; make the beans a main dish and serve them with cornbread for a fabulous lunch or dinner. Add pulled pork for sandwiches or hot dogs along with coleslaw, and you have a hearty and delicious crowd-pleasing meal. Double the recipe ingredients if you are cooking for a large family or group.

You will love the simplicity of the recipe; it takes just minutes to mix everything in the slow cooker, and you'll have a tasty, no-fuss dish in a few hours. It's a great set-and-forget dish!

1:16

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Ingredients

  • 6 to 8 strips bacon (cut in 1/2- to 1-inch pieces)
  • 3 (16 oz.) cans baked beans
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1/2 cup ketchup (or use chili sauce)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    The Spruce 

  2. Arrange the bacon in a skillet and place it over medium-low heat. Fry the bacon until it is browned and crisp, stirring and turning frequently.

    Frying bacon for baked beans.
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  3. Remove the bacon to paper towels to drain.

    Bacon draining on paper towels.
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  4. Pour the beans into the slow cooker and add the bacon.

  5. In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, mustard powder, and ketchup or chili sauce. Add the sauce mixture to the beans and stir to blend.

    Baked Beans in the slow cooker.
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  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH for about 2 hours.

    Easy baked beans.
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  7. Serve and enjoy!

Tips

  • Cook the bacon the night before, and this dish will take about 5 minutes to throw together.
  • Double the recipe for a party or tailgating event, and serve them right from the crock pot.
  • If you have leftovers, the beans taste even better the next day. They make a tasty side dish for a big breakfast or brunch.

Recipe Variations

  • The beans are adaptable. Just use your favorite brand of baked beans and add onions, peppers, or meat to the pot. Or add a few teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce and some liquid smoke for tangy barbecue flavor.
  • Add about 1/2 cup to 1 cup of diced raw onions to the dish. Or saute the onion in a skillet in about 1 tablespoon of vegetable over medium heat until browned. Add the onions to the beans.
  • Add about 1/2 cup of green or red bell pepper to the beans or a combination of both colors.
  • Add sausage or ground beef to the beans. To brown the sausage, place a large skillet over medium heat, and add about 1/2 pound to 1 pound of sausage or ground beef. Cook the ground meat until it is no longer pink; drain well, and then add to the beans.
  • Add 1 to 2 cups of diced cooked ham to the beans.
  • Slice spicy or mild smoked sausage or hot dogs into 1/2 inch rounds. Add the sausage or hot dogs to the beans, and cook as directed.
  • Make them extra spicy with 1 tablespoon of chili powder, a few tablespoons of minced jalapeno peppers, and 1 teaspoon (or more) of crushed red pepper flakes.
  • Add two 8 oz. cans of pineapple tidbits (drained) to the beans along with 1/2 cup of bell peppers and 1 cup of onion. Use barbecue sauce instead of tomato ketchup.