You can't go wrong with your good ole' slow cooker when it comes to making baked beans for a crowd! This tried and true crock pot baked beans recipe is loaded with brown sugar and bacon and makes enough for the whole gang at your next summer gathering.
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Crock Pot Baked Beans
Lazy summer days all seemed to run together when I was little, so the summer cookouts sprinkled across our calendar were always events I looked forward to.
Of course, I enjoyed seeing distant family members and playing with cousins I might see only a few times a year. But make no mistake, I was really in it for the food...
Whether we were celebrating a holiday or a family reunion, the menus all looked pretty similar, but I didn't mind in the least. Because I knew some of my favorite foods were sure to make an appearance — namely this cream corn casserole and my mom's baked beans recipe.
I use the term "recipe" loosely, because like so many of my favorite family recipes, up until just this week there was no actual written recipe.
I think that's part of the charm of recipes that have been passed down over the years. No two family members make them exactly the same, but it's those small variations each time that make the dish special.
However, I know most home cooks prefer to work from a written recipe (I swing back and forth depending on the dish myself), so I sat down and wrote out my mom's baked beans recipe, making a few adaptations to convert what was traditionally an oven-baked baked beans recipe to slow cooker baked beans.
Why the slow cooker? Well, for a number of reasons, starting with the fact that I don't have to heat up the oven on a hot summer day.
And this baked bean recipe is far more transportable this way, especially if you have one of the slow cookers that feature a locking lid. The ceramic insert will keep them hot for hours, whether you have an outlet available or not. And finally, it makes a BIG batch of baked beans EASY!
Making Slow Cooker Baked Beans for A Crowd
With five kids, big batch recipes are kind of a way of life for me. In fact, I often wonder how I'll ever go back to cooking for just my husband and me someday...
Never fear, I'm going to share a scaled down version of this baked beans recipe that you can double to feed a crowd or prepare as is for a family dinner. AND I'm even going to throw in the oven-baked baked beans instructions, because I know some of you might prefer to make them that way.
Whether you're making the recipe as is or scaling it up, you can save yourself some serious cash by stocking up on canned pork and beans at Sam's Club. They carry an eight-pack that will yield two recipes' worth of slow cooker baked beans or one large double recipe — all at their fabulously low bulk pricing.
If you're hosting a cookout, it only makes sense to turn your trip into a one-stop stock up shop by snagging your chips, drinks (my kids love the big bottles of Simply Lemonade), and desserts for the occasion at the same time.
AND if you use the Scan and Go app or In-Club Pick Up, you'll be in and out in almost no time at all. I am seriously in love with these convenient features! No more long checkout lines for me.
Baked Beans With Bacon Like Mom Makes Them
Six ingredients — that's all you need to make this yummy crock pot baked beans with bacon recipe. As I mentioned earlier, it starts with canned pork and beans. I'm not typically a huge fan of semi-homemade recipes, but this is one where it totally works.
Start by opening the cans and draining off the excess liquid from the top. This will keep the baked beans from being too soupy after cooking. To the beans we're going to stir in dark brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, chopped onion, and plenty of chopped up bacon slices...
Because slow cooker baked beans with bacon is where it's at, y'all!!!
But wait — I've got a little secret you NEED to know for the bacon. After you chop it up, spread it out on a paper towel on a microwave safe plate. Place another paper towel on top and microwave it for one minute to remove some of the excess bacon grease. NOW you can add it to the baked beans mixture...
How To Thicken Up Crock Pot Baked Beans
Cook on high in your slow cooker for about four hours, stirring occasionally. The baked beans may seem a bit liquidy when they're finished cooking, but they will thicken up as they cool off.
You can also sit the slow cooker lid on slightly askew for the last 30 minutes or so, which allows some of the liquid to evaporate and will help thicken everything up.
Easy Crock Pot Baked Beans With Bacon & Brown Sugar
Ingredients
- 3 (19.75-ounce) cans pork & beans liquid drained off top
- 6 slices bacon chopped
- ¾ cup dark brown sugar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 1 large onion roughly chopped
Instructions
- Open the cans of pork and beans and drain the excess liquid off the top. Pour the remaining contents into your slow cooker insert.
- Chop the bacon slices and place them on a microwave safe paper towel-lined plate. Lay another piece of paper towel on top and microwave for one minute to remove the excess bacon grease.
- Stir the dark brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, chopped onion, and partially cooked bacon into the pork and beans.
- Slow cooker instructions: Place the lid on the slow cooker, and cook on high for about four hours, stirring occasionally. With about 30 minutes left to cook, set the lid on slightly askew to allow some of the excess liquid to cook off. Remove the lid and allow the baked beans to cool slightly to thicken up before serving.
- Oven baked instructions: Pour the baked beans mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish. Baked at 375 degrees, uncovered, for one hour. Allow to cool slightly before serving to thicken up.
Tips & Suggestions
More Easy Cookout Recipes
Need some inspiration beyond burgers and brats for your next cookout? A few of my faves are this easy chicken salad recipe, these marinated tri-tip beef kebabs (you won't believe how simple these are!), and these BBQ chicken foil packets.
You can pick up the ingredients for all of them at Sam's Club, along with your pork and beans, snacky items (like Cheez-its and/or Pringles)!
If you like these crockpot baked beans, you might also enjoy these other cookout side dish recipes:
- Mom's Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad
- Easy Orzo Salad For A Crowd
- Bacon-Filled German Potato Salad
- Broccoli Slaw with Ramen Noodles
Did you make this recipe?
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DANNY WILLIAMS says
GREAT
Fred says
Very simple and fast to put together.
Fred says
I’m making these a for second time tonight. The first time I made them I thought I would have leftovers for a few meals. I was wrong! Our guests kept going back for more! Thanks!
Sharon says
Campbell's Pork and Beans are the best bean for making Old Fashion Baked Beans. I have used them for 51 years and wouldn’t use anything else. I have always baked my beans in the oven 350 for 2-2 1/2, but I can’t wait to try them in the crockpot. My recipe is a little different, I use 6# of Campbell's Pork and Beans, 1cup Ketchup, 1 cup finely chopped onions, 2/3 cup Brown Sugar, 2 Tablespoons of Molasses, (No Mustard), 4-8 slices of bacon microwaved for 1 minute. This recipe is great with the molasses.
Tara Kuczykowski says
Thanks for sharing, Sharon! I always use the Campbell's Pork & Beans, too. They have a great flavor base to build on. Will have to try adding a little molasses when I make them this weekend. Happy Fourth!!
Martha says
@Sharon, please clarify the number of ounces of canned baked beans you use. 6# baked beans??? Thanks.
Cindy says
Love this easy slow cooker version of baked beans. I substitute barbecue sauce for the catchup.
Tara Kuczykowski says
Yum, going to try that next time, Cindy!!
Leslie says
Wow! This is the same recipe that I got from my mom, who got it from her mom! The only difference is that they always used turkey bacon - it is not greasy like regular bacon, so no need to partially cook it first. (I LOVE the tip to pre-cook the bacon 1st though when using regular bacon: it means I could still make the recipe even if I only had regular bacon on hand. Thanks!) The only other difference is it the amount of bacon on top: we cut the bacon into roughly 2" stripe (like what was stirred in) and then layered it on top like shingles. Yum!
I am so glad I found this site though, since it told me I COULD make this I the slow cooker. Thanks!
Tara Kuczykowski says
Ooh, I'm gonna have to try that layering method — you can never have too much bacon. So happy you learned something new!
Betty Ford says
@Leslie, You have to try it with the lemonade! DEELISH!
ghovjnjv says
1
Kelsie says
Can this be made a day ahead of time and then reheated in the oven the day of?
Tara Kuczykowski says
Yes, you can definitely make it ahead and reheat it!
Donna Fincher says
It says if your going to double the recipe the cook time would double to 8 hours?? Is this on low? Also other than cooking the bacon aren't you basically just marrying the ingredients together? Seems like 8 hours is overkill, please advise!
Tara Kuczykowski says
Hi Donna — thanks for pointing this out! It would be 6 to 8 hours on low if you double it. I will make an adjustment to the recipe notes right now.
April says
My kids are obsessed with baked beans. They're going to be so excited when I make these for them this weekend.
Anna says
We love baked beans! Can't wait to whip up this recipe!
Beth Pierce says
What a savory dinner recipe! Definitely adding this to my dinner line up for the week! Yum!
Stephanie says
These baked beans were so easy to make! And the bacon really made these beans extra delicious!
Jas says
Bacon makes everything better! Such a yummy comfort dish that's a must at cookouts and when the weather is cooler.
P.S. At first, I thought the lemonade was an ingredient in the recipe and was relieved to find out that it wasn't. Phew!
Tara Kuczykowski says
LOL! I’m with you, lemonade in baked beans doesn’t sound remotely good.
Catherine says
Your baked beans look fantastic! I love homemade baked beans...love this easy idea of making them in the crockpot.
Jamie says
Such a hearty and savory side! Great flavors here!
Denay DeGuzman says
My whole family loves baked beans! This recipe is perfect for us. This weekend I'll be pulling out the crockpot to make this yummy slow-cooker recipe.
Andrea says
These beans sound and look delicious! We also love simply lemonade.
Katherine says
So amazing! I love the addition of the mustard.
Jennifer Farley says
These are the best baked beans! Easy and delicious!
NancyKay says
Awesome I'm starting it now!
NancyKay says
Looks great I am making it tomorrow for a family gathering! Cant wait to try them, only question is cook bacon at all? Besides the microwave, from the sounds of it you don't I would have thought to cook prior to.
Tara Kuczykowski says
Hi NancyKay! Yes, you only need to partially cook the bacon in the microwave to render some of the fat off. It will finish cooking in the slow cooker with the beans. You can also do the same with some slices cut in half for a garnish on top (as pictured), if you'd like. Enjoy!
Nathan Wyper says
Love this idea looks so flavourful, I must try this in the slow cooker! Thanks!
Lauren Vavala @ DeliciousLittleBites says
My aunt always made the best baked beans. I know she added brown sugar so I think this recipe is very close to how she made hers but with bacon (yum!) - will be trying it soon!
Haley D Williams says
I have to break out the slow cooker for this one for sure! Great side dish for our BBQ's!
Madi says
These have to be the perfect baked beans! Making them in a slow cooker is such a good idea!
Kate | The Veg Space says
Oh homemade baked beans are just the best, and yours look incredible! I've never tried making them in a slow cooker before, what a great idea. Perfect crowd-feeding food!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
These baked beans look absolutely incredible! I love that you only need six ingredients too!
Nathan Wyper says
Love this idea looks so flavourful, I must try this in the slow cooker! Thanks!
Lauren Vavala @ DeliciousLittleBites says
My aunt always made the best baked beans. I know she added brown sugar so I think this recipe is very close to how she made hers but with bacon (yum!) - will be trying it soon!
Haley D Williams says
I have to break out the slow cooker for this one for sure! Great side dish for our BBQ's!
Madi says
These have to be the perfect baked beans! Making them in a slow cooker is such a good idea!
Kate | The Veg Space says
Oh homemade baked beans are just the best, and yours look incredible! I've never tried making them in a slow cooker before, what a great idea. Perfect crowd-feeding food!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
These baked beans look absolutely incredible! I love that you only need six ingredients too!