There is nothing quite like the sweet, smoky aroma of slow cooker bourbon baked beans filling the house on a warm summer morning. Whenever we host a backyard barbecue, this is the first dish my friends ask me to make.
I remember a Fourth of July party a few years ago where I almost forgot to start the beans. I panicked, threw everything into the crockpot, and crossed my fingers.
They turned out to be the hit of the entire party! People were literally scraping the bottom of the pot.
They have that same comforting, hearty feel as my famous Beef Enchilada Casserole, but with a tangy, smoky summer twist.
If you need a reliable, hands-off side dish that guarantees empty plates, you are in the right place. Let me show you how to make these incredible slow cooker bourbon baked beans.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Slow Cooker Bourbon Baked Beans
You are going to fall completely in love with these crockpot BBQ baked beans. They are incredibly rich, perfectly sweet, and totally effortless.
Here is why this recipe will become your new summer staple:
- Hands-off cooking: Just toss the ingredients in your crockpot and walk away. It is one of the easiest slow cooker side dishes!
- Incredible flavor: The mix of bacon, molasses, and bourbon creates a deep, restaurant-quality taste.
- No hot kitchen: Keep your house cool during the summer by letting the slow cooker do all the heavy lifting.
- Perfect for crowds: This makes a huge batch, making it the ultimate potluck bean recipe.
Ingredients for Homemade Baked Beans with Bacon
Making bourbon brown sugar baked beans from scratch is so much better than opening a generic can. You probably have most of these pantry staples already!
- Bacon: Use thick-cut bacon for the best smoky flavor and hearty crunch.
- Yellow Onion: Sautéed onion adds a subtle, savory sweetness to the sauce.
- Canned Pork and Beans: Do not drain these! The starchy liquid adds thickness to the rich sauce.
- Navy and Northern Beans: Drain and rinse these well. They add great texture so the dish is not mushy.
- Ketchup and Mustard: These are the classic tangy bases for any good homemade BBQ sauce.
- Brown Sugar & Molasses: These bring that sticky, sweet, caramel-like flavor.
- Bourbon: Just a splash! It cooks off and leaves a wonderful, oaky depth.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A dash of this adds an essential hit of savory umami.
- Spices: A simple mix of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper for warmth.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This is one of the best easy summer BBQ side dishes because the active prep work takes less than 15 minutes. Here is how to make them perfectly.
- Cook the Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, fry your chopped bacon until crispy. Remove it to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
- Save the Fat: Pour out all but one tablespoon of the bacon grease from the skillet.
- Sauté the Onions: Add your chopped onions to the hot bacon grease. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until they are soft and translucent.
- Load the Slow Cooker: Transfer the softened onions into a large 6-quart slow cooker.
- Add the Remaining Ingredients: Pour in the undrained pork and beans, the rinsed Navy and Northern beans, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, bourbon, mustard, Worcestershire, and spices.
- Slow Cook: Stir everything together really well. Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 4 hours.
- Thicken the Sauce: Remove the lid, turn the heat to HIGH, and let it cook uncovered for another 20 minutes so the sauce thickens nicely.
- Stir and Serve: Right before serving, fold in your crispy bacon pieces so they stay perfectly crunchy.
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
Want to make sure your slow cooker bourbon baked beans turn out flawlessly every single time? Keep these professional tips in mind.
Do not add the bacon too early! If you slow cook the crispy bacon in the sauce for four hours, it will turn soft and mushy. Stirring it in at the very end keeps that amazing crunch.
Let the bourbon simmer. Leaving the lid off for the last 20 minutes not only thickens the sauce but ensures any harsh alcohol flavor fully evaporates.
If you don’t keep bourbon in the house, do not worry. You can easily substitute it with a splash of apple cider or even a little extra molasses.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even the simplest slow cooker side dishes can have a few pitfalls. Watch out for these common mistakes when making your beans.
Draining all the beans: You absolutely need the starchy liquid from the pork and beans to create the base of your BBQ sauce. Only drain the Navy and Northern beans.
Cooking on HIGH the whole time: Baked beans need time for the sugars to caramelize slowly. Cooking them too fast on high heat can cause the brown sugar to burn on the edges of the crockpot.
Skipping the onion sauté: Throwing raw onions straight into the slow cooker will leave them crunchy. Take the three minutes to soften them in the bacon fat first!
Serving Ideas
These slow cooker bourbon baked beans are the ultimate companion for a backyard cookout.
They pair beautifully with our famous Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad for a complete, crowd-pleasing BBQ spread.
If you are looking for a fantastic main course, serve these smoky beans right alongside our Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pulled Pork.
They are also amazing simply scooped over grilled hot dogs or served next to thick, juicy hamburgers.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
This potluck bean recipe is actually even better the next day, making it a total dream for party prep.
Store any leftover slow cooker bourbon baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to 4 days.
When you are ready to reheat, you can warm them in the microwave or gently simmer them on the stovetop until heated through.
If you are making them ahead for a party, cook them completely, store them in the fridge overnight, and just plug the crockpot in on the “Warm” setting a few hours before guests arrive!
What kind of beans are best for homemade baked beans?
While traditional canned pork and beans create a great base, the best homemade baked beans use a hearty mixture! Combining soft Navy beans and creamy Northern beans adds great texture and flavor. You can also easily substitute or add kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans, or even garbanzo beans depending on your preference.
How do you thicken baked beans in a slow cooker?
If your slow cooker baked beans are too thin after simmering, it is very easy to thicken them up! Simply remove the lid at the end of the cooking time, turn your crockpot to the “high” setting, and let the beans cook uncovered for about 20 to 30 minutes to allow the excess liquid to evaporate.
What does adding bourbon to baked beans do?
Adding a splash of bourbon to your baked beans elevates the flavor profile by adding a deep, smoky, and slightly sweet complexity. As the beans slow-cook, the sharp alcohol cooks off, leaving behind the rich, oaky notes of the bourbon that pair perfectly with the brown sugar, molasses, and savory bacon fat.
Can I make crockpot baked beans ahead of time?
Yes, baked beans are an excellent make-ahead dish! Cooking them a day in advance actually gives the complex flavors—like the molasses, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and bourbon—more time to meld together. Simply store the cooked beans in an airtight container in the fridge, and reheat them gently on the stove or back in the slow cooker before your BBQ.
Final Thoughts
I am so excited for you to try these sticky, sweet slow cooker bourbon baked beans at your next family gathering.
Between the smoky bacon, the rich molasses, and that deep oaky flavor, they are guaranteed to become a highly requested favorite.
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and a star rating below to let me know how much your family loved it.
Do not forget to pin this recipe to your favorite Pinterest food board so you always have it ready for summer grilling season.
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PrintSlow Cooker Bourbon Baked Beans
These sticky, sweet slow cooker bourbon baked beans are the ultimate summer BBQ side dish. Loaded with crispy bacon, brown sugar, and a splash of bourbon, they are completely effortless and incredibly delicious!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
Ingredients
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6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
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1 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
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3 cans (15 oz each) pork and beans, undrained
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1 can (15 oz) Northern beans, drained and rinsed
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1 can (15 oz) Navy beans, drained and rinsed
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3/4 cup ketchup
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1/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
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1/4 cup molasses
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1/4 cup bourbon
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2 tbsp yellow mustard
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1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
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1/2 tsp black pepper
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1/2 tsp salt
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1/4 tsp garlic powder
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1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
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Crisp the Bacon: In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, fry the chopped bacon until perfectly crisp. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside in the fridge until later.
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Sauté the Onions: Discard all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat from the skillet. Add the chopped onions to the hot fat and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
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Fill the Crockpot: Transfer the softened onions into a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the undrained pork and beans, rinsed Northern beans, rinsed Navy beans, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, bourbon, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne.
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Slow Cook: Stir the mixture very well. Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 4 hours.
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Thicken: After 4 hours, remove the lid. Turn the slow cooker heat to HIGH and let it cook uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes to thicken the sauce.
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Serve: Right before serving, stir in the reserved crispy bacon pieces. Enjoy hot!
