Applewood Smoked Bacon and Maple Calico Beans

By Deb Lund
@luv2cookDeb

This is one of those great sides that everyone seems to love even if they are not fans of baked beans. The smokiness of the applewood smoked bacon combined with the maple syrup is delicious. I use Nueske's bacon and Bush's Homestyle baked beans.

Rating:

★★★★★ 2 votes

Comments:

5 Comments

Serves:

10-12

Prep:

40 Min

Cook:

4 Hr

Method:

Slow Cooker Crock Pot

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Notes from the Test Kitchen:
This baked beans recipe is fabulous. Thanks to the maple syrup and applewood bacon, you have a fantastic smokey/sweet flavor combination. I love that you can make this baked bean recipe in the slow cooker or bake them - it's super easy. These will be a hit with everyone!

Ingredients

20oz can(s): baked beans
15 oz can(s): great northern white beans
15 oz can(s): black beans
15 oz can(s): garbanzos, cooked
15 oz can(s): dark red kidney beans
15 oz can(s): pinto beans
1 1/2 lb: applewood smoked bacon
1 c: chopped onion
3/4 c: brown sugar
1 tsp: dry mustard
1 c: ketchup
2 Tbsp: apple cider vinegar
1/3 c: barbeque sauce
1/3 c: real maple syrup

How to Make Applewood Smoked Bacon and Maple Calico Beans

Step-by-Step

1Empty baked beans into slow cooker.
2Open all the rest of the beans into a colander and rinse with cool water, then add them to the slow cooker.
3Dice bacon and cook until almost crisp, but not quite. Remove from pan to a separate plate and drain off most of fat.
4While the bacon is cooking mix the last 6 ingredients in a bowl.
5Add onions to bacon fat and saute until soft but not browned.
6Add the brown sugar mix, the bacon and the onions to the slow cooker and stir well to combine all.
7Slow cook on high for 4 hours or medium for 6. You can also make this in the oven 350 degrees for about 1 hour, stir a few times while cooking.