A hearty, sweet-and-savory bean medley with ground beef, bacon, and three types of beans—perfect for feeding a crowd! Serve with warm cornbread for the ultimate comfort meal.
Why You’ll Love This
✅ Easy dump-and-go – Let the slow cooker do the work!
🥓 Bacon makes everything better – Smoky, salty perfection.
🍯 Sweet & tangy sauce – Brown sugar + ketchup = magic.
🌶 Customizable heat – Add hot sauce or jalapeños if you like spice.
Ingredients
*(Serves 6-8)*
Beans
-
1 lb (450g) lean ground beef
-
½ lb (225g) bacon, chopped
-
2 cans (15oz/425g each) pork and beans (undrained)
-
2 cans (15oz/425g each) dark kidney beans, drained
-
2 cans (15oz/425g each) butter beans, drained
-
½ onion, diced
Sauce
-
¼ cup ketchup
-
¼ cup brown sugar
-
Optional: 1 tbsp mustard, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, or ½ tsp chili powder
To Serve
-
Cornbread (homemade or store-bought)
-
Chopped green onions or shredded cheese for topping
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the Beans
-
Add all beans (pork and beans with liquid, drained kidney and butter beans) to the slow cooker.
2. Cook the Meat
-
Brown ground beef with onion in a skillet; drain fat and add to crockpot.
-
In the same skillet, cook bacon until crispy; crumble and add to beans.
3. Season & Slow Cook
-
Stir in ketchup and brown sugar (and optional extras).
-
Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours (or HIGH for 3-4).
4. Serve
-
Ladle into bowls and top with green onions. Pair with warm cornbread!
Pro Tips
🔸 For depth: Add 1 tsp smoked paprika or a dash of liquid smoke.
🔸 Make ahead: Refrigerate uncooked mix overnight; start slow cooker in the morning.
🔸 Thicker sauce? Remove lid last 30 mins of cooking.
Variations
🌱 Turkey version: Swap beef for ground turkey, bacon for turkey bacon.
🍖 Sweet & spicy: Add 2 tbsp BBQ sauce + 1 diced jalapeño.
🧀 Cheesy bake: Transfer to a casserole dish, top with cheddar, and broil 5 mins.
Storage
-
Fridge: Up to 4 days in an airtight container.
-
Freeze: Portion and freeze for 3 months (thaw overnight in fridge).
Final Thought
This stick-to-your-ribs meal is a Midwest classic for a reason—simple, satisfying, and full of flavor. Perfect for potlucks, game day, or cozy family dinners!
More Slow Cooker Favorites:
🥘 BBQ Pulled Pork
🌮 Taco Soup
🍎 Apple Butter