This beans and bacon recipe is truly to die for. Making your own baked beans is easy with the aid of a crock pot. After trying this recipe, you won't feel inclined to buy canned baked beans again! Homemade baked beans are always going to be a win versus the canned variety.
You'll need to soak your beans before making them. You can soak them in the crock pot itself; just make sure they soak for a minimum of eight hours. Generally, we advise soaking them overnight so they're ready for cooking come morning.
You'll have to cook the bacon for a little while to render the fat before putting it in the crock pot. After this, add the ingredients as instructed and set the crock pot to either high or low. If you choose high, this recipe will cook for six to eight hours. On low, this dish will take ten to twelve hours.
Which setting you pick is ultimately up to you. The debate between high and low usually boils down to which setting does a better job tenderizing meat. Since meat isn't the main focus of this dish, we don't think it really matters which option you pick.
Hearty Boston Baked Beans with Slabs of Bacon
Ingredients:
2 pounds small dry white beans
12 cups water
Olive oil
1 pound thick-sliced homestyle bacon, each slice cut into thirds
1 cup molasses
3/4 cup finely chopped onions
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons dry mustard
2 teaspoons salt
Directions:
1. Soak beans in water in uncovered crock pot overnight (or a minimum of 8 hours).
2. After soaking, cover; cook on low for 3 hours. Drain liquid, reserving 1 cup. Remove beans; set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat until hot. Add bacon. Cook and stir 4 to 6 minutes to render fat.
4. Remove bacon pieces with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Transfer bacon to the crock pot.
5. Add reserved 1 cup cooking liquid from the beans, then add the beans and remaining ingredients; stir well to combine and form a smooth sauce.
6. Cover; cook on low 10 to 12 hours or on high 6 to 8 hours.