Crockpot Baked Beans

5 from 6 votes
8 Comments

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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!

Wooden spoon rising in a Crockpot of Baked Beans.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients in Crockpot Baked Beans
  2. Additions/Substitutions to Baked Beans in the Slow Cooker
  3. Are Crockpot Baked Beans Gluten Free?
  4. What to serve with BBQ Baked Beans
  5. Frequently Asked Questions about Crockpot Baked Beans
  6. BBQ Side Dish Recipes
  7. How to Make Crockpot Baked Beans
  8. Crockpot BBQ Baked Beans Recipe

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.
Ingredients to make Baked Beans including bacon, butter beans, ground beef, kidney beans, pork and beans, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, ketchup, bbq sauce, molasses, mustard and brown sugar.


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.
Hand scooping a spoonful of Baked beans.

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.

Crockpot with beans mixture topped with cooked bacon and ground beef for Baked Beans.

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 about Crockpot Baked Beans

What beans should NOT be cooked in a slow cooker?

If you’re using canned beans, any pre-cooked beans work great in the crock pot. However, if you’re cooking dried beans, avoid using raw kidney beans. Raw or under-cooked beans can be toxic or make you sick, so make sure to cook dried beans ahead of adding them to the crock pot.

Can you slow cook raw beans?

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.

Can you overcook canned beans in a slow cooker?

Yes, it’s easier to overcook canned beans in the slow cooker when cooking on high, but it’s still okay to do so, just be sure to check on them.

Can you freeze baked beans?

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

Spoon holding up cooked Baked Beans.

Crockpot BBQ Baked Beans

5 from 6 votes
These BBQ baked beans in a crockpot are the perfect side dish for your next potluck or BBQ. They are sweet, savory, beefy, hearty, and oh so delicious!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 20 servings

Equipment

  • Crock Pot (Slow Cooker)

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fry bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towel and crumble or chop into smaller pieces. 
    Cutting up bacon on a cutting board for Baked Beans.
  • 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 
    Skillet cooking ground beef with onion and garlic for Baked Beans.
  • Place ground beef mixture and bacon crumbles into a large crockpot. Add remaining ingredients and stir well. 
    Crockpot with beans mixture topped with cooked bacon and ground beef for Baked Beans.
  • Cover with lid and cook on high 1-2 hours or on low for 4-6 hours.
    Spoon holding up cooked Baked Beans.

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.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 138kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 6gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 277mgPotassium: 155mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 36IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 1mg

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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    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!

  2. 5 stars
    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.

  3. 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.

  4. 5 stars
    Nothing beats a great pot of beans at a BBQ! Can’t wait to try out this crock pot version!

  5. 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!