Slow Cooker Baked Beans with Bacon

Our Slow cooker baked beans recipe uses a mix of beans to add a unique texture and flavor to this often overlooked side dish. But that’s not the only secret to this delicious recipe. Thick cut bacon, maple syrup, and a few other flavor sidekicks blend seamlessly into a hearty dish while cooking low and slow in your Crock pot. These slow cooker baked beans work perfectly as a weeknight dinner side, but are equally at home tailgating. Enjoy!

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Baked Beans

16-oz. thick-cut bacon, cut into small pieces
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
1 15.5-oz. can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 15.5-oz. can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 15.5-oz. cans great northern beans, drained and rinsed
2 15-oz. cans black beans, drained and rinsed
6 oz. tomato paste
2 T. Dijon mustard
1/4 t. liquid smoke
1 cup real maple syrup
2 cups chicken broth

How to Make Crock Pot Baked Beans with Bacon

1. Add chopped bacon and onion to a large skillet. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and cook over medium heat until bacon starts to get crispy and the onion is soft, approximately 10-15 minutes.
2. Remove skillet from heat and carefully drain excess grease. Set aside.
3. Add the beans, bacon, and onion to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker crock. Top with the tomato paste, Dijon mustard, liquid smoke, maple syrup, and chicken broth, and stir to combine.
4. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours. Remove lid and stir to combine. Taste and season with additional salt and black pepper, if desired, before serving. Enjoy!