How do you cook homemade baked beans in a slow cooker?

Soak dried beans overnight, then cook them in a crockpot on low for 8–10 hours with your chosen sauce ingredients.

Are baked beans a healthy food choice?

Yes—when made from scratch, they’re high in fiber, protein, and minerals, with lower sodium and sugar than canned beans.

Avoid cooking red kidney beans without pre-boiling them for 10 minutes, as they contain natural toxins.

Traditionally served hot, they can also be enjoyed cold as a refreshing picnic side.

A hearty, smoky, and sweet baked bean recipe made entirely from scratch in the crockpot — perfect for gatherings or a comforting family meal.

Scale

Rinse and sort the dried navy beans.
Place beans in a large bowl, cover with water, and soak overnight.
Drain and rinse beans, then add them to the crockpot with 5 cups of fresh water.
Add diced bacon and chopped onion.
Stir in tomato paste, molasses, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, and salt.
Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until beans are tender.
Stir occasionally during cooking, adding extra water if needed to keep beans covered.
Serve hot as a side dish or main course.

You can substitute prepared mustard with 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder mixed with water for a slightly sharper flavor.

Keywords: crockpot baked beans, from scratch, slow cooker, homemade, bacon, navy beans