Slow Cooker Baked Beans with Maple Syrup

Transform ordinary baked beans into a mouthwatering masterpiece with this Slow Cooker Baked Beans with Maple Syrup recipe. Perfectly tender navy beans are slow-cooked in a rich, smoky-sweet sauce made with real maple syrup, smoky paprika, crispy bacon, and a touch of tangy apple cider vinegar. The slow cooker does all the hard work, infusing every bite with bold flavors while keeping the prep simple and hands-off. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or looking for a comforting side dish to pair with roasted meats, these slow cooker baked beans are the ultimate crowd-pleaser. With just 20 minutes of prep and a full-on flavor payoff, this recipe is as easy as it is delicious. Serve with warm, crusty bread for a complete, satisfying meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:480 mins

Total Time:500 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried navy beans
• 6 cups water
• 6 slices bacon, diced
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 0.5 cups maple syrup
• 0.5 cups ketchup
• 0.25 cups brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.5 cups water or chicken broth (optional, for adjusting consistency)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the dried navy beans thoroughly and remove any debris. Place the beans in a large bowl, cover with water, and let soak overnight, or for at least 8 hours.

Step 2

After soaking, drain and rinse the beans. Transfer them to the slow cooker.

Step 3

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the diced bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside. Leave about 1 tablespoon of the rendered fat in the skillet.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant. Transfer the onion and garlic mixture into the slow cooker with the beans.

Step 5

Add the cooked bacon to the slow cooker, ensuring it is evenly distributed.

Step 6

In a medium bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 7

Pour the sauce mixture over the beans in the slow cooker, then add the 6 cups of water. Stir everything together to combine.

Step 8

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to low heat. Cook for 8 hours, or until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally if possible to prevent sticking.

Step 9

If the sauce is too thick towards the end of cooking, add up to 1/2 cup of water or chicken broth to adjust the consistency.

Step 10

Taste the beans and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve warm as a side dish or enjoy on their own with a crusty piece of bread.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1111.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2754.8

Total Fat 48.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 14.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 99mg	0%
Sodium 5974.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 460.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 72.2g	0%
Total Sugars 176.9g
Protein 136.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 750.0mg	0%
Iron 24.6mg	0%
Potassium 7192.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 15.3%

Protein: 19.3%

Carbs: 65.3%