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    Slow-Cooker Brown Sugar Baked Beans

    Published: Sep 2, 2016 · Modified: Jan 21, 2021 · by Jess Smith · Jump to Recipe · 2 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    baked beans in a white bowl
    Baked Beans in a slow cooker
    Slow-Cooker Brown Sugar Baked Beans
    Slow-Cooker Brown Sugar Baked Beans

    Baked Beans in  a white bowl on a wooden table

    These slow-cooker brown sugar baked beans are seriously easy. Pour a bunch of delicious ingredients in the slow-cooker and hours later, your house will smell crazy good and you’ll have enough of these beans to serve a crowd. Brown sugar makes them sweet and the secret ingredient that gives them amazing savory flavor? Short ribs.

     Baked Beans in a slow cooker

    With the three day weekend ahead, hopefully you’ve got a whole lot of relaxing planned. Maybe a few house projects (just me?). Maybe a potluck or two. I can’t help with the projects, but need a quick, easy, seriously delicious dish to take to a BBQ this weekend?

    That I can help with.

     Baked Beans in a white bowl

    And this recipe is the definition of easy. All you need is a few ingredients and a few hours. Dump everything in the slow-cooker and get on with your life.

    And when it’s done cooking….look out. They won’t last long.

     Baked Beans in a white bowl

    I could eat these brown sugar baked beans for breakfast.

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    Favorite Tools

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    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Slow-Cooker Brown Sugar Baked Beans

    Pour a bunch of delicious ingredients in the slow-cooker and hours later, your house smells ridiculously good and you have enough of these beans to serve a crowd. Brown sugar makes them sweet and short ribs pack them full of savory flavor.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time12 hrs
    Total Time12 hrs 10 mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: feed a crowd, potluck recipe, slow cooker recipe
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 326kcal
    Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef

    Equipment

    • 4-quart or 6-quart Slow Cooker

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb Dried White Beans (look for Navy or Great Northern)
    • 1 lb Bone-In Short Ribs
    • 1 Onion, chopped
    • 2/3 cup Brown Sugar
    • 2/3 cup Ketchup
    • 4 cups No-Sodium Beef Broth
    • 1 Tbsp Molasses
    • 2 tsp Salt

    Instructions

    • Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a slow-cooker. Stir to combine.
    • Set slow-cooker to low and cook until beans are tender, 8 to 12 hours. (See note.) Halfway through cooking, open the slow-cooker and give the ingredients a good stir.
    • When beans are finished cooking, remove the short rib bones and stir to break up any large pieces of meat.
    • Beans can be refrigerated for up to 4 days - just reheat and serve!

    Notes

    Dried beans have a mind of their own. I don't find that there is any need to soak these before cooking, but the cook time does vary. How long they take to cook depends on the age of the beans which you can't really know when you buy them. SO, plan for a window of time between 8 and 12 hours. It's hard to overcook them, so if you want to keep things simple, cook them overnight and just reheat them when you're ready to serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 326kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 536mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 13g

     

    Hope you have a fun long weekend ahead friends! We’re planning on lots of ice cream and a few dips in the pool…

    Clara Swimming Pool

    *This post contains affiliate links*

    Filed Under: American, Feed a Crowd, Gluten-free, Party and Entertaining, Recipes, Side Dishes, Slow Cooker, Summer

    About Jess

    Hi, I'm Jess, an amateur cook turned professional recipe developer, food stylist, and photographer specializing in quick and easy meals that make weeknights a bit more fun. I love sharing my kitchen and my journey as a chef with other home cooks on this blog. Learn more about me here.

    Previous Post: « Sweet Potato Tacos with Avocado Crema and Goat Cheese
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Platt College

      September 18, 2016 at 5:46 pm

      This baked bean recipe looks great for a picnic or sunday afternoon lunch

      Reply
    2. Dawn

      January 06, 2020 at 2:58 pm

      Is the no sodium beef broth vital? And do you have any thoughts on using honey instead of molasses? or have you tried any other porks? Thanks so much!

      Reply

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    Hi there! We're Jess and Frank. We live in Kansas City with our three daughters. Our recipes are made with busy families in mind. We lived in Thailand which inspired us to cook flavorful, fun meals at home and we know you can too. We believe in your inner cook! More...

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