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These Crockpot baked beans are the perfect side dish for your next potluck or BBQ. They are sweet, savory, beefy, hearty, and oh so delicious!
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Every time we have a big family BBQ or gathering, my mother-in-law makes these delicious Crockpot Baked Beans, and they’re always a hit! I have had BBQ baked beans many times before, and this is hands down one of the best baked bean recipes out there. They are hearty, full of great flavor, and not to mention, SUPER easy to prepare in the Crockpot. I will never make BBQ baked beans any other way! They taste delicious with hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, and really round out a picnic menu. Plus you can keep your oven off during the hot summer months by using your slow cooker. So easy and delicious!
Ingredients in Crockpot Baked Beans
One of the best parts of crock pot baked beans is the ease of the recipe Just toss in all the ingredients and let the slow cooker do the rest! Here’s what you need:
- Bacon – half a pound of bacon, cooked to crisp on medium heat in a frying pan. Drain the bacon grease, set the bacon aside, and then add the ground beef.
- Ground beef – one pound, cooked in the same frying pan as the bacon. For a stronger flavor, you can use ground sausage instead.
- Onion – one whole medium onion, chopped. You can use yellow, white, or whatever onion you have on hand.
- Garlic – four whole cloves of garlic, finely chopped or minced
- Pork and beans – 45 ounces of your favorite brand of pork and beans. Van Camp’s is gluten-free, if you want to make this a GF dish.
- Butter beans – 16 ounces, drained. Any white beans work great, but I love the texture and flavor of the butter beans. You can also use great northern beans or
- Kidney beans – drained. You can substitute cannelloni beans, or white kidney beans too.
- Barbecue sauce – I like Sweet Baby Ray’s, which is also gluten free, but you can use any kind of your favorite sauce.
- Ketchup – a quarter cup, or more to taste.
- Brown sugar – three tablespoons
- Molasses – or dark Karo syrup
- Mustard – three tablespoons regular yellow mustard, or Dijon mustard if you like.
- Kosher salt – half a teaspoon, or more to taste.
- Ground black pepper – half a teaspoon, or more to taste.
Additions/Substitutions to Baked Beans in the Slow Cooker
There are so many ways to make this Crockpot Baked Beans recipe just the way you like it.
- If you want to use something besides ground beef, try it with smoked sausage, pulled pork, ham, or even shredded chicken.
- If you want to switch up the beans, you can add navy beans, dark kidney beans, chili beans, or pinto beans.
- Add diced green bell pepper along with the onion.
- Toss in a couple of bay leaves as it cooks for extra flavor. Just make sure to remove them before serving.
- Add a dash or two of Worcestershire sauce for a deeper, meaty flavor.
- For a sweeter flavor, add a tbsp pure maple syrup.
Are Crockpot Baked Beans Gluten Free?
This Crockpot recipe is naturally gluten-free. The only thing that you may want to keep an eye on is the BBQ sauce and the pork and beans. If you make the recipe as written below with our suggestions you should be fine. If you have a favorite BBQ sauce or a different brand of pork and beans that you like, just be sure to double-check the label for the gluten-free symbol.
What to serve with BBQ Baked Beans
This crock pot side dish is so hearty you could practically eat it as the main dish. But let’s be honest, most of the time these beans are playing a supporting role to another main entree. Try them with the amazing Blue Cheese Smoked Brisket Burger or any of these Summer BBQ Grill Recipes.
In the mood for beans but not the BBQ style? Try this amazing Crockpot White Chicken Chili. You will not be sorry!
Frequently Asked Questions
You can cook raw beans in a slow cooker, separately and before you make this recipe. Cover raw beans with water, add some salt and cook on low for up to 8 hours.
Yes! Store leftovers by freezing them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator. Try reheating the baked beans on the stove top, or in the microwave.
READ MORE: 35+ Best BBQ Side Dishes
BBQ Side Dish Recipes
Serve these items at your next barbecue and you’ll be the talk of the town:
How to Make Crockpot Baked Beans
Crockpot BBQ Baked Beans
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ pound bacon
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 45 ounces pork and beans (Van Camp's is gluten-free)
- 16 ounces butter beans drained
- 15 ounces kidney beans drained
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce (Sweet Baby Ray's is gluten-free)
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons mustard
- 2 tablespoons molasses (or dark Karo syrup)
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- Fry bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towel and crumble or chop into smaller pieces.
- Pour off most of the grease from pan and add ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook until ground beef is browned and onions are soft and clear. Season to taste with salt and pepper
- Place ground beef mixture and bacon crumbles into a large crockpot. Add remaining ingredients and stir well.
- Cover with lid and cook on high 1-2 hours or on low for 4-6 hours.
Notes
- Leftover baked beans can be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days and warmed up in the microwave or on the stovetop. Enjoy on top of burgers or on hotdogs!
- This Crockpot recipe is naturally gluten-free. The only thing that you may want to keep an eye on is the BBQ sauce and the pork and beans.
- If you make the recipe as written with our suggestions you should be fine. If you have a favorite BBQ sauce or a different brand of pork and beans that you like, just be sure to double-check the label for the gluten-free symbol.
These are a must have for any BBQ or potluck! Made them over the weekend and everyone kept asking for the recipe. I’d call that a winner!
I love using my slow cooker in the summer. Such a great way to make dinner without heating up the kitchen. Thank for you sharing this delicious recipe. We loved it.
What a fun, family friendly recipe! Can’t wait to enjoy this for dinner tonight!
These baked beans look and sound good! I love that you used ground beef, that must give a really nice flavor boost over just plain baked beans.
Nothing beats a great pot of beans at a BBQ! Can’t wait to try out this crock pot version!
Those are some GOOD LOOKING beans!
😉
😀 haha thanks Hailey!
Love that these are in a slow cooker! I’m all about baked beans, but not turning on the oven this time of year. Can’t wait to try!