Crockpot Baked Beans The Ultimate Baked Beans Recipe

Every time we have a big family BBQ or gathering, my mother-in-law makes these delicious Crockpot Baked Beans, and they’re always a hit! I have had BBQ baked beans many times before, and this is hands down one of the best baked bean recipes out there. They are hearty, full of great flavor, and not to mention, SUPER easy to prepare in the Crockpot. I will never make BBQ baked beans any other way! They taste delicious with hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, and really round out a picnic menu. Plus you can keep your oven off during the hot summer months by using your slow cooker. So easy and delicious!

Ingredients in Crockpot Baked Beans

One of the best parts of crock pot baked beans is the ease of the recipe Just toss in all the ingredients and let the slow cooker do the rest! Here’s what you need:

Bacon – half a pound of bacon, cooked to crisp on medium heat in a frying pan. Drain the bacon grease, set the bacon aside, and then add the ground beef. Ground beef – one pound, cooked in the same frying pan as the bacon. For a stronger flavor, you can use ground sausage instead. Onion – one whole medium onion, chopped. You can use yellow, white, or whatever onion you have on hand. Garlic – four whole cloves of garlic, finely chopped or minced Pork and beans – 45 ounces of your favorite brand of pork and beans. Van Camp’s is gluten-free, if you want to make this a GF dish. Butter beans – 16 ounces, drained. Any white beans work great, but I love the texture and flavor of the butter beans. You can also use great northern beans or Kidney beans – drained. You can substitute cannelloni beans, or white kidney beans too. Barbecue sauce – I like Sweet Baby Ray’s, which is also gluten free, but you can use any kind of your favorite sauce. Ketchup – a quarter cup, or more to taste. Brown sugar – three tablespoons Molasses – or dark Karo syrup Mustard – three tablespoons regular yellow mustard, or Dijon mustard if you like. Kosher salt – half a teaspoon, or more to taste. Ground black pepper – half a teaspoon, or more to taste.

Additions/Substitutions to Baked Beans in the Slow Cooker

There are so many ways to make this Crockpot Baked Beans recipe just the way you like it.

If you want to use something besides ground beef, try it with smoked sausage, pulled pork, ham, or even shredded chicken. If you want to switch up the beans, you can add navy beans, dark kidney beans, chili beans, or pinto beans. Add diced green bell pepper along with the onion. Toss in a couple of bay leaves as it cooks for extra flavor. Just make sure to remove them before serving. Add a dash or two of Worcestershire sauce for a deeper, meaty flavor. For a sweeter flavor, add a tbsp pure maple syrup.

Are Crockpot Baked Beans Gluten Free?

This Crockpot recipe is naturally gluten-free. The only thing that you may want to keep an eye on is the BBQ sauce and the pork and beans. If you make the recipe as written below with our suggestions you should be fine. If you have a favorite BBQ sauce or a different brand of pork and beans that you like, just be sure to double-check the label for the gluten-free symbol.

What to serve with BBQ Baked Beans

This crock pot side dish is so hearty you could practically eat it as the main dish. But let’s be honest, most of the time these beans are playing a supporting role to another main entree. Try them with the amazing Blue Cheese Smoked Brisket Burger or any of these Summer BBQ Grill Recipes. In the mood for beans but not the BBQ style? Try this amazing Crockpot White Chicken Chili. You will not be sorry! READ MORE: 35+ Best BBQ Side Dishes