Try these Crockpot Bourbon Baked Beans for a delicious twist on the classic. They're chock full of brown sugar, molasses, and spices overlaid with the rich flavor of bourbon (totally optional) and smoky bacon! These baked beans are the perfect side dish for summer BBQs and holiday cookouts.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
These baked beans are full of flavor and surprisingly easy to make. Here are the top reasons they'll become a hit whenever they're served.
Simple ingredients - Everything used in this recipe is easy to find and works together to create that classic sweet, smoky baked bean flavor.
Easy to Make - Once everything is prepped, the slow cooker does the rest. It's mostly hands-off, making it perfect for busy days.
Made from scratch with dried beans - Using dried beans gives you better texture and deeper flavor than canned beans, making this a truly homemade dish.
Bold Sweet & Smoky Flavor - The combination of brown sugar, molasses, BBQ sauce, bacon, and bourbon creates layers of flavor that are rich, slightly sweet, and perfectly balanced.
Make-ahead friendly - These beans taste even better the next day, making them ideal for prepping ahead of time.
Customizable - You can easily adjust the sweetness, spice level, or protein to make it your own.
Perfect for holidays and gatherings - These slow cooker bourbon baked beans are perfect for July 4th, backyard BBQs, potlucks, and game day festivities.
Ingredients and Their Role in the Beans
The list may look long, but each ingredient adds to the deep, rich flavor that makes this dish so hearty and satisfying. This is what you'll need:
- Dry navy beans - The base of the recipe, becoming tender and creamy after slow cooking.
- Bourbon - Adds a rich, slightly smoky depth that enhances the overall flavor.
- BBQ sauce - Brings tanginess and sweetness while helping create a thick sauce.
- Applewood smoked bacon - Adds smoky flavor and savory richness.
- Sweet onion - Provides natural sweetness and depth when cooked.
- Garlic - Enhances the savory flavor of the dish.
- Chicken stock - Helps cook the beans and adds a flavorful base.
- Ketchup - Adds a tangy, slightly sweet element.
- Molasses - Deepens the flavor with a rich sweetness.
- Maple syrup - Adds natural sweetness with a hint of warmth.
- Brown sugar - Balances the tangy and smoky elements.
- Smoked paprika - Adds subtle smokiness.
- Ground cumin - Provides a warm, earthy undertone.
Ingredient Notes
You can leave the bourbon out and use additional stock or apple juice in its place. However, the bourbon, of which most of the alcohol cooks off during the long cooking process, really lends a distinctive depth of flavor to the finished dish. Its taste stands out and enhances the overall richness. If you prefer, non-alcoholic bourbon can be used to achieve a similar flavor.
Best Beans for Baked Beans
When making baked beans from scratch, dried beans are the best choice for texture and flavor. White beans such as navy beans are the most commonly used and cook up tender and creamy.
Great Northern beans are another excellent option and are often used in Boston baked beans. Since they pair well with sweet flavors like maple syrup and molasses, they work beautifully in this recipe as well.
How to Make Baked Beans in a Slow Cooker
This recipe takes a little prep, but the slow cooker does most of the work. Here's what to do:
- Chop all the bacon and place in a large skillet.
- Cook until crisp then remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel. Set aside.
- Add chopped onions to bacon grease in skillet.
- Cook until the onions begin to caramelize (about 15 minutes) then add minced garlic and cook an additional 2 minutes.
- In the same large stockpot you used to soak the beans overnight, place the BBQ sauce, ketchup, molasses, maple syrup, brown sugar, and spices.
- Pour in the chicken stock and the bourbon.
- Stir well. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Pour beans into the sauce mixture, stir, then return to a boil.
- Pour the bean mixture into a crockpot. Add cooked bacon.
- Pour in the onions and garlic along with the bacon fat.
- Stir, then cover and cook on high for 5-6 hours or low for 10-12 hours. Stir the mixture occasionally.
- Once fully cooked, uncover and set the crockpot on warm and simmer for 30-60 minutes to thicken.
Recipe Tips for Success
These tips will help you get the best results every time.
- Don't overfill the slow cooker. Keep it about two-thirds full for proper cooking.
- Stir occasionally if possible to ensure even cooking.
- Add extra liquid if the beans become too thick during cooking.
- Cook uncovered at the end to help thicken the sauce.
- Mash a small portion of the beans to naturally thicken the mixture.
Recipe Variations to Make It Your Own
This slow cooker bourbon baked beans recipe is easy to customize depending on your preferences.
- Meaty with ground beef or sausage - Add 1 pound of browned hamburger or sausage.
- With ham - Use diced ham instead of or in addition to bacon.
- Mixed beans - Combine navy beans with kidney, pinto, or black beans.
- No bacon - Skip the bacon for a lighter version.
- Spicy - Add jalapeños, cayenne, or hot sauce for heat.
- Vegetarian - Omit the bacon and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
Make Ahead and Party Tips
These beans are perfect for entertaining and are great to make in advance.
- Prepare them 1-2 days before your event, and reheat before serving.
- Keep them warm in the slow cooker on the warm setting until ready to serve.
- For transport, keep them in the slow cooker with the lid secured or transfer to a covered dish and reheat at your destination.
What to Serve with Baked Beans
These baked beans are the perfect side for all your favorite BBQ dishes and comfort foods.
- Blue Cheese Burgers - Juicy burgers with bold flavor.
- Grilled Chicken - Light and flavorful with a fresh topping.
- Hot Dogs - A classic pairing for baked beans.
- Pulled pork - Smoky, tender meat that pairs perfectly.
- Ribs - A BBQ favorite that goes hand-in-hand with baked beans.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat Leftovers
Allow the beans to cool to room temperature. To speed this up, place them in a bowl and set it in an ice bath, stirring occasionally until cooled.
Store the cooled beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of liquid if needed to loosen the sauce.
Leftover Ideas
Leftover baked beans are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of ways.
- Use them as a topping for baked potatoes or a filling for BBQ sandwiches.
- Turn them into BBQ bean nachos or serve as a dip with tortilla chips.
- Add them to quesadillas for a smoky twist.
- Serve them alongside eggs for a hearty breakfast.
More Side Dishes Great for a Summer Barbecue
Looking for more dishes to complete your BBQ spread? These sides are perfect for warm-weather gatherings.
- Cucumber Mint Watermelon Salad - Light, refreshing, and full of summer flavor.
- Grilled Corn on the Cob - Sweet corn with a flavorful twist.
- Red Dill Potato Salad - A classic picnic favorite with fresh herbs.
- Roasted Corn Salad - Bright and colorful with roasted flavor.
- Deviled Eggs with Bacon - A savory, crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Find lots of delicious and easy recipes for side dishes right here on 2CM!
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Crockpot Bourbon Baked Beans with Bacon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb. dry navy beans soaked overnight
- 12 oz applewood smoked bacon chopped
- 1 sweet onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup bourbon (can omit & add additional chicken stock in its place)
- ¾ cup BBQ Sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons molasses
- 3 Tablespoons pure maple syrup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Pour beans into a large pot, cover with water and let sit overnight. The next morning, drain and rinse beans then set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown chopped bacon until crisp. Remove with slotted spoon to a paper towel.
- Add onions to pan with bacon grease and cook on medium heat until beginning to caramelize, about 15 minutes. Add garlic and cook additional 2 minutes.
- Combine remaining ingredients in the same large pot that you soaked the beans. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add beans and return to boil. Pour into crockpot.
- Add crisp bacon, onions and garlic with bacon grease into crockpot. Cover and cook on high for 5-6 hours or on low for 10-12 hours. Stir occasionally.
- When beans are fully cooked, let crockpot sit on warm setting and simmer for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour to thicken.
Notes
Nutrition
This post has been updated with new photos, more useful information, and clear step-by-step directions. It was first published on July 1, 2016.
How to Thicken Baked Beans
If your beans turn out thinner than you'd like, there are a few easy ways to thicken them.
- Cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes to 1 hour to allow excess liquid to evaporate.
- Mash a portion of the beans and stir them back in to create a thicker consistency.
- For a quicker option, you can add a cornstarch slurry or a small amount of mashed potato flakes to thicken the sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, most of the alcohol cooks off during the long cooking time, leaving behind rich flavor.
Yes, but reduce the cooking time significantly since they are already cooked.
Absolutely. Simply omit the bacon or replace it with a plant-based alternative.
Yes, cook on high for 5 to 6 hours instead of low for 10 to 12 hours.
They may need more time uncovered to thicken, or you can mash some beans or use a thickening method.
