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Slow Cooker Maple Bacon Baked Beans

This dish transforms dried beans into a tender, thick stew using a slow cooker, infused with natural sweetness from maple syrup and smoky bacon. The beans cook slowly until soft and glossy, developing a rich flavor and caramelized appearance. The final result is a hearty, sticky casserole with a deep, sweet-and-smoky flavor profile and a cozy texture.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 6 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound dried navy beans or great northern beans soaked overnight or quick soaked
  • 4 cups water or vegetable broth for cooking beans
  • 4 strips smoked bacon diced
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup pure maple syrup
  • 1 large yellow onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar for balance
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika optional, for depth
  • to taste Salt and black pepper for seasoning

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Large mixing bowl

Method
 

  1. Begin by soaking your dried beans overnight in plenty of water, or quick soak them by boiling for 1 hour then draining. Drain any soaking water and set aside.
  2. Add the soaked beans to your slow cooker along with water or broth, ensuring they're covered by at least an inch. Stir in the diced bacon, chopped onion, minced garlic, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Set the slow cooker to low and cover with the lid, letting the mixture cook gently for about 6 hours, until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened into a glossy, caramelized coating.
  4. Halfway through, give the beans a gentle stir to promote even cooking and prevent sticking, especially if they start to look dry.
  5. Once cooking is complete, check the seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or maple syrup if desired, and stir well to combine all flavors.
  6. Serve the beans hot, spooned out of the slow cooker, with a sticky, thick sauce coating each bean and bits of bacon visible on top. Enjoy your rich, smoky-sweet baked beans!