Flavorful Maple Bourbon Baked Beans Slow Cooker Recipe
A smoky, sweet, and savory baked beans recipe slow-cooked to perfection with maple syrup and bourbon, ideal for BBQs and gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 to 8 hours (slow cooker low) or 3 to 4 hours (slow cooker high)
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes (slow cooker low) or 3 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes (slow cooker high)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups dried navy beans (or 4 cans navy beans, rinsed and drained)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup bourbon
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 2 cups water or chicken broth
Instructions
- If using dried navy beans, rinse thoroughly and soak overnight in plenty of water. If using canned beans, rinse and drain well.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy, about 5–7 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving bacon fat in skillet.
- Add finely chopped onion to bacon fat and cook until translucent and soft, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add soaked and drained beans (or canned beans), cooked bacon, sautéed onion and garlic to the slow cooker. Pour in maple syrup, bourbon, ketchup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and water or broth.
- Stir everything together to combine evenly, ensuring beans are mostly covered by liquid.
- Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours or on high for 3–4 hours until beans are tender and sauce is thick and sticky.
- About 30 minutes before the end of cooking, taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or maple syrup if needed. If sauce is too thin, uncover and cook on high for last 30 minutes to reduce liquid.
- Let beans rest for 10 minutes after cooking to thicken and allow flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
Soak dried beans overnight to reduce cooking time and improve texture. Sauté bacon, onion, and garlic before adding to slow cooker to enhance flavor. Use good-quality bourbon for best taste. Adjust sweetness carefully to avoid overpowering. Stir gently and not too often to prevent beans from breaking. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and use vegetable broth with smoked paprika or liquid smoke for smoky flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About ½ cup
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 8
- Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 7
- Protein: 10
Keywords: baked beans, slow cooker, bourbon, maple syrup, BBQ side dish, easy recipe, comfort food