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Cozy Crockpot Baked Beans with Smoky Bacon and Molasses

cozy crockpot baked beans - featured image
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A comforting slow-cooked baked beans recipe featuring smoky bacon and rich molasses, perfect for easy, hearty meals with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1½ cups dried navy beans, soaked overnight
  • 6 slices smoky bacon, chopped (thick-cut recommended)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ¼ cup molasses (unsulphured preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1½ cups dried navy beans under cold water until clear. Place in a large bowl and cover with 3 inches of water. Let soak overnight or for at least 8 hours.
  2. Drain beans and pat dry. In a skillet over medium heat, cook 6 chopped bacon slices until crisp (about 6-8 minutes). Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the skillet.
  3. Add 1 medium chopped yellow onion to the bacon fat. Cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 more minute until fragrant. Remove from heat.
  4. Add soaked beans, cooked bacon, sautéed onion and garlic, ¼ cup molasses, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 cups broth, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and salt and pepper to taste into the crockpot. Stir gently to combine.
  5. Cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours, or until beans are tender and sauce is thickened. Check at 6 hours; if sauce is too thin, remove lid and cook uncovered for 30 minutes to reduce.
  6. Before serving, taste and adjust salt, pepper, or sweetness if needed.

Notes

If using canned navy beans (3 cups drained), reduce cooking time to 2-3 hours and adjust liquid accordingly. For vegetarian version, replace bacon with smoked paprika and liquid smoke, and use vegetable broth. Avoid over-stirring to prevent beans from breaking down and sauce becoming mushy. Add a splash of broth or water if sauce thickens too much before beans are tender.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, crockpot, slow cooker, smoky bacon, molasses, comfort food, easy recipe, navy beans

Find it online: https://dahliadishes.com/cozy-crockpot-baked-beans-with-smoky-bacon-and-molasses-recipe-for-easy-comfort-meals/