If you’re craving that classic comfort food vibe but want something effortless and bursting with flavor, this Slow Cooker Baked Beans with Ground Beef Recipe will become your new go-to. I absolutely love this recipe because it combines hearty ground beef, smoky bacon, and tender baked beans in a slow cooker, making dinner prep a breeze while the flavors develop all day. Trust me, once you try it, your family will go crazy for this one!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Minimal Prep Required: Just throw everything into your slow cooker, set it, and forget it until mealtime.
- Rich, Layered Flavors: Ground beef, bacon, and spices join baked beans to create a hearty, satisfying dish.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for family dinners or potlucks — everyone asks for seconds!
- Versatile Meal: You can customize spice levels and sides to suit your taste and occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Slow Cooker Baked Beans with Ground Beef Recipe lies in combining pantry staples with fresh veggies and a few key seasonings. It’s easy to find everything at your local grocery store, and you’ll find that the beans soak up all the good flavors during the slow cooking.
- Bush® Original Baked Beans: Using canned baked beans saves you time and ensures a rich, sweet base that’s just right.
- Ground Beef: Browning and draining it first helps keep the beans from becoming greasy while adding hearty flavor.
- Bacon: Cooked and sliced bacon adds a smoky, savory depth that makes this dish extra special.
- Green Bell Pepper: Dice it finely for a subtle crunch and freshness that balances the richness.
- Sweet Onion: Adds natural sweetness and aroma; sauté if you prefer a milder onion flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Just enough to boost the sweet-savory profile without overpowering.
- Ketchup: Brings tang and moisture to bind the ingredients beautifully.
- Yellow Mustard: Adds a gentle zing that brightens up the whole dish.
- Taco Seasoning: This secret ingredient introduces subtle spices that transform the beans.
- Tapitio Hot Sauce (optional): A splash if you like just a bit more heat and complexity.
Variations
I love how flexible this Slow Cooker Baked Beans with Ground Beef Recipe is. Feel free to play around with the ingredients to make it all your own or suit your dietary needs. Here are a few tweaks I’ve tried that work beautifully.
- Use Ground Turkey or Chicken: I swapped beef for ground turkey once—leaner but still super flavorful if you brown it well first.
- Add Extra Veggies: Throw in some diced jalapeño or corn for extra texture and a twist of flavor.
- Spice it Up: If your family loves heat, double the hot sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a smoky bite.
- Make it Vegetarian: Skip the meat and bacon, and add smoky smoked paprika and extra veggies like mushrooms to keep it rich.
How to Make Slow Cooker Baked Beans with Ground Beef Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Brown Your Ground Beef and Bacon
Start by browning the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat. I always make sure to break it apart with a spatula so it cooks evenly. Once browned, drain the excess fat to avoid greasy beans. Next, cook the bacon until crisp, then slice it into bite-sized pieces—this adds amazing smoky depth to the beans.
Step 2: Combine Everything in the Slow Cooker
Dump the canned baked beans, browned beef, sliced bacon, diced bell pepper, diced onion, brown sugar, ketchup, yellow mustard, taco seasoning, and the optional hot sauce into your slow cooker. Stir everything together until it’s well combined — this is where all the flavor magic starts.
Step 3: Cook Low and Slow
Put the lid on and set your slow cooker to LOW. Let it cook gently for 7 to 8 hours—resisting the urge to peek helps keep all the heat and moisture locked in. If you’re pressed for time, you can cook on HIGH for about 4 hours, but I find the low setting really melts flavors together perfectly.
Step 4: Stir and Serve
Give everything a good stir before serving. You’ll notice the beans have thickened up nicely and the flavors have blended into something really special. Serve it hot and enjoy every comforting bite!
Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Baked Beans with Ground Beef Recipe
- Brown Meat Well: Browning and draining ground beef really cuts down on grease and gives a richer, deeper flavor.
- Don’t Skip the Bacon: I discovered this trick when I first tried skipping bacon—adding it back made all the difference for that smoky hit.
- Low and Slow is Best: Cooking on low keeps the beans from getting mushy and helps flavors meld together perfectly.
- Resist the Lid Peek: Opening during cooking lets heat escape and can lengthen your cook time, so trust the slow cooker.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Baked Beans with Ground Beef Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley or green onions on top for a pop of color and freshness, plus a little shredded cheddar cheese if we’re feeling indulgent. It’s a small touch but it really lifts the dish and makes it more inviting.
Side Dishes
This Slow Cooker Baked Beans with Ground Beef Recipe pairs wonderfully with simple cornbread, coleslaw, or even just steamed rice to soak up all those luscious flavors. I’ve also served it with baked potatoes for a hearty, no-fuss dinner.
Creative Ways to Present
For BBQs or family gatherings, I’ve spooned the beans into mini cast iron skillets or served them buffet-style in a big rustic bowl, so guests can customize with toppings like jalapeños, sour cream, or extra cheese. It’s eye-catching and fun—plus it emphasizes that casual, homestyle vibe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover baked beans in an airtight container in the fridge, and they keep really well for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so leftovers might just be tastier!
Freezing
I’ve frozen this recipe successfully in freezer-safe containers. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If it thickens too much, just add a splash of water to loosen it back up so it stays creamy and delicious.
FAQs
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Can I use dried beans instead of canned for this recipe?
While you can, it would require extra prep time to soak and fully cook the dried beans before adding them to the slow cooker. The recipe is designed for canned baked beans, which give the perfect texture and flavor without the extra work.
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Will the beans get mushy after hours in the slow cooker?
Surprisingly, canned baked beans hold up well during slow cooking. The beans stay tender but intact, and the sauce thickens nicely. Just be sure not to overcook beyond the recommended 7-8 hours on low.
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Can I make this recipe spicy for my family?
Absolutely! You can add extra hot sauce, jalapeño peppers, or cayenne powder to suit your family’s heat preference. Start small and adjust gradually—you can always add more later but can’t take it out once mixed.
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What’s a good side with Slow Cooker Baked Beans with Ground Beef?
Classic cornbread, coleslaw, steamed rice, or baked potatoes go wonderfully. These sides balance the richness of the beans and make for a satisfying, complete meal.
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Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Yes, you can double the ingredients, but make sure your slow cooker is large enough to accommodate the extra volume. Cooking times might be a bit longer, so adjust accordingly and check for desired consistency.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Slow Cooker Baked Beans with Ground Beef Recipe enough for busy days or cozy weekends alike. It’s one of those dishes where the slow cooker does the heavy lifting, and you get rewarded with rich, comforting flavors that feel homemade and special. Give it a try—you’ll find yourself coming back to it again and again, and your family will thank you every single time.
Print
Slow Cooker Baked Beans with Ground Beef Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Total Time: 7 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Slow Cooker Land Your Man Baked Beans is a hearty and flavorful dish combining savory ground beef, smoky bacon, and tender baked beans cooked low and slow in a crockpot. Enhanced with sweet onions, green bell pepper, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, and taco seasoning, this comforting meal is perfect for family gatherings or meal prep with a rich, well-rounded taste.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 56 oz Bush® original baked beans (two 28 oz cans)
- 1 lb ground beef, browned and drained
- 7 slices bacon, cooked and sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup sweet onion, diced
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 Tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 oz packet taco seasoning
Optional Ingredient
- 1 tbsp Tapitio hot sauce
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add the baked beans, cooked ground beef, sliced bacon, diced green bell pepper, diced onion, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, taco seasoning, and optional hot sauce to the slow cooker.
- Mix Thoroughly: Stir all the ingredients together until well combined to ensure flavors are evenly distributed.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW heat for 7 to 8 hours, avoiding opening the lid during cooking to maintain consistent temperature and moisture.
- Serve: Stir the beans once more before serving and enjoy the rich, hearty dish.
Notes
- Canned beans hold up very well in the slow cooker and maintain a perfect sauce consistency without becoming mushy.
- The flavors intensify over the long cooking period, making this dish great for make-ahead meals.
- You can adjust the optional hot sauce according to your spice preference.
- This recipe serves about 10 people, making it excellent for parties or family dinners.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
