Slow Cooker Beans

This hearty and savory dish combines ground beef, bacon, and a variety of beans for a deliciously rich flavor. Cooked in the slow cooker for a simple, hands-off meal, it’s a great side dish or even a stand-alone meal for any occasion.

A family favorite, provided by Irene Gammell

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Slow Cooker Beans

A delicious slow cooker recipe with ground beef, bacon, and a mixture of beans in a flavorful, slightly sweet sauce. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or as a side for grilled meats.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup onion minced
• 1 pound bacon cooked and crumbled
• 2 (15oz) cans pork and beans
• 1 can kidney beans drained
• 1 can lima beans (or northern beans), drained
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• dash of pepper
• 1 Tablespoon liquid smoke
• 3 Tablespoons apple cider

Instructions

• In a skillet, brown the ground beef with the minced onion. Drain any excess fat.

  Combine the browned beef and onions with the cooked bacon, pork and beans, kidney beans, lima beans, ketchup, brown sugar, salt, pepper, liquid smoke, and apple cider in the slow cooker.

  Stir everything together until well mixed.

  Cover and cook on low for 4 to 7 hours, stirring occasionally. The beans should be tender and the flavors well combined.

  Serve hot as a side dish, or enjoy on its own!

Notes

• You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar based on your preference.
• If you want a thicker consistency, you can mash some of the beans with a fork before serving.
• Feel free to substitute the pork and beans with any other variety of beans you prefer.