Not only are baked beans comforting, but that are a fantastic vegetarian protein source and super cheap to make. If you are looking for something healthy and filling on a budget, then give these Slow Cooker Baked Beans a try! Forget the tins of beans – make this lower in sugar and salt version that the whole family will love.
Slow Cooker Baked Beans
Slow cooker season is well and truly upon us and we are not going to waste a single second of this this year. We have taken a classic British breakfast and cooked it in a slow cooker, so you can wake up on a cold morning with this comforting breakfast ready to eat.
The slow cooker is a great way to cook dried beans (after they have been soaked), because it cooks them over a longer time making sure they are nice and tender.
Slow Cooker Beans
Why the slow cooker when you could cook them on the hob? Well, apart from not having to stand over the hob, the slow cooker makes much creamier baked beans.
We used cannellini beans to make this recipe, but you could use a mixture of cannellini, haricot and chickpeas. To keep this recipe budget friendly, we used dried beans, but you could use canned (rinse them first) and just reduce the cooking time.
What To Do with Crockpot Baked Beans?
Beans on toast is such a classic, but there is so much more that you can do with baked beans. Add them to stews, pies and bolognese or put them on top of a baked potato with some cheese.
Are Baked Beans Healthy?
Baked beans are a great source of protein and fibre and if you make them yourself, then you can make sure they aren’t loaded with salt and sugar like the tinned ones can be. Beans are also a good source of vitamin B and folic acid.
Cheap Slow Cooker Recipe
Baked beans for breakfast is a bit of a strange concept if you are not from the UK and at breakfast buffets on holiday, where there a lot of Americans and Canadians, you can see a look of confusion with the beans next to the eggs – but it is the way forward!
If you’ve ever been a student in the UK, then baked beans would have been a staple in your diet. Whether on a baked potato, in a toastie or used to bulk out a casserole/shepherds pie because you can’t afford meat as a student, they are definitely versatile. Another thing that makes them appealing, is they are cheap.
Homemade Baked Beans
The great thing about homemade baked beans is you can change the flavours around. Want BBQ beans? Add some BBQ spices or homemade BBQ sauce. Want curry beans? Add some curry powder. Play around with the recipe and see what you like.
Oh, and a little grated mature cheddar cheese goes a long way on these, but if you leave it out then these are vegan. We are in the process of making this in bulk and filling up our freezer ready for when baby comes, as they are an energy boosting meal that is perfect for winter.
Baked Beans with Bacon
One thing I found when travelling round the US was they add bacon to their baked beans. I mean, it isn’t going to make them any healthier but it adds such an awesome flavour. Just fry up some chopped bacon and add it to the slow cooker with all the other ingredients. You could use turkey bacon to make it lighter.
Can You Freeze Baked Beans?
You sure can, and they make a great batch cook dish. Just allow them to fully cool and then freeze them flat in zip lock bags. You can also keep them in the fridge for 4-5 days in an air-tight container.
Ingredients needed to make Slow Cooker Baked Beans (serves 4)
- 200g dried cannellini beans
- 1 tbsp garlic granules
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 500ml passata
- 500ml vegetable stock
- 3 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- 0.5 tsp mustard powder
- 0.5 tsp paprika
- A pinch of sea salt and black pepper
How To Make Slow Cooker Baked Beans – Step by Step:
One: Put all of the ingredients in to a large slow cooker and mix well.
Two: Cook on low for 6-8 hours, so most of the liquid is absorbed. The beans should be creamy and tender.
Other Slow Cooker Recipes To Try:
Slow Cooker Beef Casserole
Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
Slow Cooker Greek Chicken Tacos
Slow Cooker Hidden Vegetable Pasta Sauce
Slow Cooked BBQ Chicken
Some extra tips for these Slow Cooker Baked Beans:
- Use a mixture of dried beans like cannellini, haricot and chickpeas.
- Make flavoured baked beans by adding BBQ sauce or curry powder.
- Use these baked beans to fill out bolognese or shepherd’s pie or on top of toast or baked potatoes.
- Make these baked beans more indulgent by adding some cooked chopped bacon with all the rest of the ingredients.
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DON’T FORGET TO RATE THE RECIPE ↓
Slow Cooker Baked Beans
Ingredients
- 200 g Dried cannellini (haricot) beans, soaked overnight and drained
- 1 tbsp Onion powder
- 1 tbsp Garlic granules
- 500 g Passata
- 500 ml Vegetable stock
- 3 tbsp Maple syrup
- 1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp Tomato puree
- 2 tsp Mustard powder
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Put all of the ingredients into a large slow cooker and mix well.
- Cook on high for 8 hours, until all the liquid has been absorbed.
Notes
- Use a mixture of dried beans like cannellini, haricot and chickpeas.
- Make flavoured baked beans by adding BBQ sauce or curry powder.
- Use these baked beans to fill out bolognese or shepherd's pie or on top of toast or baked potatoes.
- Make these baked beans more indulgent by adding some cooked chopped bacon with all the rest of the ingredients.
Rachael says
24th January 2019 at 4:28 amIs this food safe without pre-soaking and boiling? Would a slow-cooked kill the toxin?
angie says
4th January 2018 at 3:31 pmWhat is passatta?
Thank you!