Crockpot Baked Beans (Using Canned Beans)
Crock-pot baked beans turn your favorite picnic side into an effortless recipe where the slow cooker does all the work for you! Ground beef, smoky bacon and a tangy brown sugar BBQ sauce simmer together while you and your house stay cool!
I used to slave over a hot oven for hours making baked beans, which is so miserable on hot summer days. This crockpot version gives you all that smoky, sweet and tangy flavors you love without turning your kitchen into a sauna. Ground beef makes them hearty and bacon add richness. Best of all the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you focus on more important things like grilling your BBQ pork tenderloin or shucking your corn for Elotes. Transport to your picnic right in the crock pot!
I have brought these crock pot baked beans to several potlucks over the last year and they're always a hit, thank you!
Review From Michelle
Why This Recipe Works
- Low and Slow Heat: It gently cooks without burning the sugar and keeps the beans tender. You end up with something that tastes like its been cooking all day look at favorite roadside BBQ joint.
- Meat x 2: Meat man approves that these are made with both bacon and beef for a hearty filling side.
- Canned Pork and Beans Shortcut: Skip the overnight soaking and long cooking time. Canned beans still absorb your custom seasonings and cook up super tender.
Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips
- Ground Beef: Use 90% lean to avoid a greasy dish. If you use 80% lean I suggest draining before adding to the crock pot.
- Ketchup: As a Pittsburgh girl always reach for Heinz. Call be biased but store brands can be too tart or too sweet.
- Beans: No need to drain the canned pork-and-beans. That liquid helps thicken the sauce.
- Bacon: Thick-cut bacon holds up better during the long cooking time. You could also use Microwave bacon to save time. I like Hormel Black Label.
- BBQ Sauce: I like Sweet Baby Ray's.
Tips: Steal My Culinary School Secrets
- Use a Slow Cooker Liner: These beans can caramelize on the bottom, making scrubbing a real chore. The liner makes cleanup a breeze. Look for them near the tin foil and plastic wrap at your store.
- Meat Man Hack: Sauté onion and pepper in bacon drippings for extra flavor.
- No Peeking: Resist opening the lid for the first 2 hours as it releases heat and extends the cooking time.
- It's Okay If They Look a Little Soupy: They will thicken as they cool.
FAQs
Store covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. They actually taste even better the next day, once all the flavors have had time to meld together.
Yes if you're short on time 2 hours on HIGH equals about 3-4 hours on LOW. Keep an eye on them during the last 30 minutes to prevent sticking.
Absolutely! These beans reheat beautifully in the microwave or on the stovetop. You can even freeze them for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
Too thick? Add a splash of beef broth or water. Too thin? Remove the lid for the last 30 minutes to let excess liquid evaporate.
Yes, please follow the instructions for our Instant Pot baked beans.
More Picnic Sides
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📖 Recipe
Easy Crockpot Baked Beans
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Lean Ground Beef
- 1 Pound Bacon
- 1 Sweet Onion Diced (Grab a Vidalia if you can!)
- 1 Bell Pepper Diced (Any color)
- 4 Medium Cans Pork and Beans or any canned beans you like
- ¾ cup Brown Sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon Minced Garlic
- 2 tablespoon Mustard I used spicy brown
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ¾ cup Ketchup
- 1 cup Barbecue Sauce I like Sweet Baby Rays
Instructions
- Saute onion and pepper until tender.
- Brown ground beef. Drain off excess grease. Then combine with onion/peppers.
- Add beef and vegetables into your crockpot. Add all the remaining ingredients (except for the bacon). Stir well.
- Fry bacon until crispy. Roughly chop and add to the top of the crock pot.
- Cook on low for 3-4 hours.
Notes
- Use a Slow Cooker Liner: These beans can caramelize on the bottom, making scrubbing a real chore. The liner makes cleanup a breeze. Look for them near the tin foil and plastic wrap at your store.
- Meat Man Hack: Sauté onion and pepper in bacon drippings for extra flavor.
- No Peeking: Resist opening the lid for the first 2 hours as it releases heat and extends the cooking time.
- It's Okay If They Look a Little Soupy: They will thicken as they cool.
These were super easy to throw together and turned out so good—perfect for busy days or summer BBQs!
This crock pot baked beans is delicious and easy to make it. so good.
This worked exactly as written. Thank you for sharing the tips which was really helpful.
Love baked beans but it was hot today and this crockpot method was a lifesaver. Such an easy recipe!
This recipe took me right back to my childhood in Minnesota. Absolutely delicious.
I have brought these crock pot baked beans to several potlucks over the last year and they're always a hit, thank you!
These baked beans were such a hit at our family barbecue! The flavor was perfectly smoky and sweet, and I loved how easy it was to just set it in the crockpot and let it cook.
These crockpot baked beans are super easy and delicious! Just add everything to the slow cooker, and they come out tender and full of flavor. Definitely a keeper!
This is a great recipe. Slow-cooking the beans makes them extra tasty, and it frees me up to do other things. Love it.
How many will this serve? Thanks for any help you can give me. 🙂
I did give this 4 stars, just because I have not made them yet.
Hi Joann,
I would say 8-10 people depending on how many other sides you have.
How many will this serve? Thanks so much for any help. P.S. I have not tried these yet, But I did give it 4star based on ingredients and looks delicious. A women I used to work with used to make baked beans that looks and sounds like these.
Hi Joann! I would say about 8-10 people depending on how big of a serving each person takes.