Slow Cooker Baked Beans are chock-full of bacon and beef, sweetened with molasses and then simmered until thick and sweet.
If you’ve been reading this blog for long at all, you might notice that I very rarely name anything “the best.”
Best Baked Beans Ever
There are many foods that we love and that we make over and over, but for something to be labeled the best baked beans ever, I feel like it needs to be a “wow” food.
You might be thinking that these are just crockpot baked beans, how amazing can they be, right? Well, they are pretty darn amazing as it turns out.
Three different beans with ground beef and bacon are simmered and slowly cooked until thick and sweet. The flavors and textures in this recipe for baked beans are just perfect.
Slow Cooker Baked Beans
Our friend, Tony, brought these beans to a barbecue at our house two years ago and they blew me away.
These beans are so tasty, so full of meat, so sweet and hearty, I might have “accidentally” tucked a container of Tony’s leftovers deep into my fridge and then forgotten to give them to him at the end of the night.
Later, I asked him if he’d please send me the recipe. And lucky for all of us, he was happy to share it. I’m a believer in baked beans with meat now and I’m confident that you will be as well, just as soon as you taste them.
Baked Beans with Ground Beef
There’s something extra special about a simmering pot of baked beans when there is plenty of meat in the mix. Hearty enough to be a meal on their own, these baked beans with meat make for a spectacularly memorable side dish at any barbecue.
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this recipe:
- ground beef
- bacon
- bacon drippings
- kidney beans
- white beans
- Pork & Beans
- onion
- light brown sugar
- ketchup
- molasses
- yellow mustard
Kitchen Tip: I use this slow cooker to make this recipe.
Crockpot Baked Beans Recipe
- Drain all the beans, except for one can of Pork & Beans.
- Combine the ground beef, bacon, kidney beans, white beans, Pork & Beans, onions, brown sugar, ketchup, molasses, and yellow mustard in the crockpot.
- Stir to combine. Cook on HIGH for at least 4 hours or on LOW for 8 hours.
Slow Cookers and Crockpots
Slow cookers or crockpots are an appliance of which I have more than one. If you are an avid slow cooker user like I am, you might understand the need for more than one. So, let’s talk about my favorites:
First up is this 6-quart slow cooker that has a locking lid. These crockpots are fantastic for transporting foods. Mine has gone everywhere from church potlucks to barbecues, game nights to Thanksgiving dinner. However, fair warning, these slow cookers run crazy hot. Low is closer to a boil than a simmer, the warm setting actually simmers. So trust me when I say HIGH is high.
My everyday slow cooker is this 8-quart Crockpot. It’s my go-to appliance for cooking large roasts and big batches of chili. Fun fact: did you know that a full 4-quart cooker, actually cooks more slowly than a half-full 8-quart cooker?
For just cooking a few pounds of chicken to shred for enchiladas or other smaller recipes, this 3-quart version is perfect.
Thanksgiving has become a breeze since I have mastered how to hold all of the side dishes using these medium-sized round slow cookers.
If you aren’t a fan of the idea of keeping more than one slow cooker in the house, these CrockPockets are a game-changer when it comes to preparing and holding multiple dishes at the same time. They slide into a standard 6-quart crockpot, dividing it into two sections that are perfect for serving different side dishes or keeping taco fillings warm for parties.
We have made these slow-cooker baked beans so many times, I couldn’t possibly keep count. I’ve served them with Beer and Garlic Grilled Chicken, Memphis Style Dry Ribs, Garlic and Paprika Rubbed Steaks, and just about every other main dish you can imagine.
The beans are fantastic as a side dish, but honestly, I could happily just eat the beans on their own. This recipe really is outstanding and these truly are the BEST baked beans ever! Thanks again, Tony.
To make one of my all-time favorite meals, combine Sweet and Tangy Pulled Pork and Memphis Coleslaw with these beans for BBQ Sundaes!
The BEST Slow Cooker Baked Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef cooked, crumbled, and drained
- 1 pound bacon cooked
- 2 tablespoons bacon drippings
- 3 14 ounce cans kidney beans
- 3 14 ounce cans white beans
- 3 14 ounce cans Pork & Beans
- 3 small onions about 2 cups worth chopped 1/2″ or smaller
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
Instructions
- Drain all the beans, except for one can of Pork & Beans. Combine all ingredients in the crockpot and heat on HIGH for at least 4 hours or on LOW for 8 hours. Enjoy!
{originally published 5/20/14 – recipe notes and photos updated 6/15/21}
Anna @ Garnish with Lemon says
That type of endorsement from you is all I need, Mary! Can't wait to make these this summer!
Lita says
Love baked beans at a bar b que. These are perfect for Memorial Day cookouts.
Linda @ Tumbleweed Contessa
Sue/the view from great island says
I don't know why I don't think to get my slow cooker out in the warmer weather, it's perfect for beans!
Anna (Hidden Ponies) says
I've never made baked beans…but if I do, I know what recipe I'll be using! Sounds wonderful!
ABQ Cat Mum says
Went out the same day to buy 'stuff' to make these beans. This is a fabulous recipe! There are only 2 in my household, so I used only 1 can each of the called-for beans and then halved the other ingredients. I cooked on low for 6 hours (I think 5 would be fine; I'm going for that next time). This is a 'keeper'.
Mary says
I'm so glad that you enjoyed the beans! Thanks for taking the time to let me know!
Cheesy says
Oh-ma-gosh…. I made these yesterday for a work function and they were AWESOME. MANY asked for the recipe! Just a warning all.. you need a BIG crock for this recipe. I had to remove some for transport. OH so sad that I have a few servings waiting for me in the fridge for leftovers– hehehehe. I used peppered bacon, I used half raw and half sauteed onions and by accident I grabbed the spicy ketchup I had in the fridge but it didn't ruin it. I also added 3 minced gloves of garlic just because I roll that way. They were the absolute best I have ever made. Thank you!!
Anonymous says
I cannot help but wonder if this will fit in my crockpot! Seems like a lot with all those tins. But oh, it does sound GOOD!
Anonymous says
I also add a lb of Jimmy Dean sausage 🙂 , only 3-4 cans of beans total, worcestershire & bbq sauce if I have it, and garlic powder 🙂
Anonymous says
these are fantastic…made them today. thank you for the great recipe!
Anonymous says
I made these for an office pot luck, HUGE hit…. thank you!
Anonymous says
My family loved them!!
Anonymous says
Two questions. Dark or light kidney beans? What type pork and beans do you recommend?
Mary says
Either kidney bean will work fine, I tend to use light red kidney beans. I usually buy VanCamps Pork and Beans.
Anonymous says
Don't really like cooking all that much but was asked to bring barbeque baked beans. Tried this recipe. Felt good that there was not much leftover to bring home! This recipe is a keeper.
Anonymous says
I sort of made a 2/3 of the recipe and it fit just fine in a 6 quart crockpot
WALT says
THESE ARE AWESOME,,,,BUT WE KILL OUR OWN HOGS SO I USED PEPPER BACON ENDS WE SMOKED AND SOME EXTRA LIQUID HICKORY SMOKE MY HOUSE SMELLED SO GOOD AND MY 7 YEAR OLD GRANDAUGHTER ( WHO IS NOT A BEAN PERSON ) ASKED FOR MORE
Donna Jost says
I have made these and added either a ring of Kielbasa sliced and/or a package of Little Smokies!! These are also great the next day on toasted hamburger buns…sort of a glorified sloppy joe!! I get rave reviews each and every time I make these and the slow cooker is always empty!!
Heidio313 says
Could these be made in the Instant Pot? And how would you do it?
Tricia Buice says
These sound perfect for picnic! Love that you used your slow cooker – I need to do more in mine 🙂
Anonymous says
I made these twice. Both times I did NOT pre-cook the bacon and it was fine. I also eliminated the ground beef. This may make it too 'fatty' for some folks but I figure in eliminating the ground beef I'm eliminating some fat, anyway. Anyway, these were amazing and sooo easy! Making them again today for another cookout. Thanks for this great recipe!
Brenda says
These are the best beans.. very versatile. I have made them exactly to the recipe, made them without the ground beef, added spicy sausage instead of ground beef, added little smoke sausages, put in 2 cans of drained and rinsed butter beans in place of 1 can of pintos and 1 can of navy beans. They have been a huge hit everything and on have actually had people asked if there was extra to take home and always want the recipe. The key is the molasses.