Slow Cooker BBQ Baked Beans
This simple BBQ Baked Beans summertime staple comes together with minimal effort, relying on the slow cooker to do the work. Utilizing dried beans, this side dish packs more flavor and texture than a canned alternative. A homemade barbecue sauce builds flavorful complexity, soaking into the beans to create a creamy side great for any summertime event.
Servings 12 servings
Calories 231kcal
Ingredients
- 16 oz dried pinto beans
- water to cover
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 1 cup ketchup (sugar-free preferred)
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar lightly packed
- ½ cup molasses
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp prepared yellow mustard
- 2 ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (like sriracha)
Instructions
- Soak the beans. Add the beans to a large bowl (or the slow cooker), and add enough water to cover the beans by two inches. Place the bowl in the refrigerator and soak the beans for 6-8 hours.
- Cook the beans. Drain the soaking liquid. Add the beans to a 4-6 quart slow-cooker and cover the beans with two inches of water. Set the cooker to high and cook until the beans are tender, 3-4 hours. If using the low setting, the beans will take 4-5 hours.
- Prepare the sauce. Drain the beans and return them to the slow cooker. Add the diced onion, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, prepared mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and hot sauce. Stir to combine.
- Cook the beans. Stirring occasionally until the sauce is thickened slightly, cook for 2-3 hours on high or 3-4 hours on low.
Video
Notes
Using canned beans works, but dried beans have better texture and flavor. If using dried beans, soak them in water first. This allows them to cook more evenly.
Wait to salt the beans until creating the sauce. Salt can inhibit the beans from absorbing the water during the initial cooking. Simply wait to add salt and adjust if necessary.
Cooking times can vary drastically depending on the slow cooker setting. This recipe can be made on the high or low setting, depending on how much time you have. The target temperature between high and low is the same; it simply determines how quickly the slow cooker reaches that temperature.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 231kcal
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