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}
Thom Cook says
Do you have a substitute recipe using raw beans and not the canned ones?
Jackie says
Can molasses be deleted or replaced with somethinf
Mary says
Yes, I’ve made this without molasses in the past.
Brian says
Great recipe… but huge! Can you freeze the leftovers for later?
Mary says
Absolutely! I freeze at least half this recipe most of the times when we make it. Enjoy!
Sharon says
This recipe has been in our family for years and it’s a big hit
Tom says
The recipe says white beans. There are mNy kinds. Any in particular?
Deb says
I’m confused about the pinto beans. The video shows pinto beans being added, but the recipe doesn’t say anything about them???
Mary says
The pinto beans in the video are actually the Pork and Beans listed in the recipe. I hope that helps!
Deb says
Thank you.
Lori Steele says
What sized slow cooker did you use–4 quart or 5 quart?
Mary says
I’ve made these beans in both a 4-QT and a 7-QT crock-pot.
Kellie says
I was just wondering if you possibly had the nutritional facts on this recipe:)
Donna says
Is there a certain type of white beans you would use?
Colleen Mora says
Is this recipe like Calico beans?? I have a recipe that sounds almost identicle..
Mary says
I am not familiar with calico beans, but it’s possible it’s a similar recipe. This is certainly a colorful batch of beans.
Tee says
Going to make these beans for the forth of July glad they are for the crockpot because my oven just die on us. Thank for the recipe and I love beans.
Fran says
Could you substitute Splenda brown sugar blend for the brown sugar?
Barbara says
Love your baked beans and will make them when I need to.
Michael Bruggink says
I noticed the ammount of beans do not change when you increase the serving size
Mary Younkin says
You’ll need to increase quite a bit before you’d add another can of beans. This is a HUGE recipe to begin with, Michael.
Kate says
This recipe was in a phamplet enclosed with a crock pot from the early 1980s. It’s delicious with a little liquid smoke added.
Cathy says
Adding the liquid smoke is a great idea! How much would you recommend adding to this recipe. I just bought some and haven’t used it much yet, only in burgers.
Michelle says
These are AWESOME!
Baker says
Just took this to a company barbecue, and it was a HUGE hit. Was even told by my fellow foodie that they were excellent, best baked beans he’s ever had. Ever. Will definitely add this to my recipe list.
Margaretanne Fineo says
Can I make these without the ground beef?
Will it taste just as good??
Mary says
Yes, these beans are still delicious without the ground beef.
Chef Takajoke says
No! Absolutely not! If you do, it will create a super massive black hole in the middle of the universe and destroy the entire solar system including earth!!!
Corry says
I am from Australia and have not seen a tin of Pork and Beans. Are you able to explain a little further what this is please??
Mary Younkin says
Here’s the technical answer: What is in canned Pork and Beans? I imagine that you can make them yourself or change this Baked Beans recipe up a bit to get similar results without them. However, I haven’t tried that myself. I hope that helps!
Peter (New Zealand) says
Looking through the info about ‘Pork and Beans’ it looks like salted pork similar to ham or bacon is mixed in with the beans. I am in the same situation in NZ, (Pork n Beans not being available here), so I will try it with a sprinkling of ham or bacon mixed through. Just use your judgement according to the total amount that you are making.
Mary Younkin says
I hope you love the beans, Peter!
evelyn says
wish u had one for four poeple that would be nice
Mary Younkin says
Hi Evelyn, you can adjust the serving amount (and ingredient portions accordingly) by clicking on the number of servings and sliding the marker up or down. I hope that helps!