These yummy loaded baked beans are slow cooked to perfection. They have slices of bacon, bits of sausage, a tasty sweet and spicy sauce and even a secret ingredient you would never guess.

Serving bowl filled with loaded baked beans in front of slow cooker.

This might just be the best baked beans recipe out there. It was a huge hit at our family bbq. The beans are a perfect indulgent side to serve for large gatherings, but the leftovers freeze well so you can make them for small parties as well.

For me, one of the hardest parts about planning a meal is picking the side dishes. It is too easy to get into a rut and it’s hard to get inspired.

Ingredients including beans, apple pie filling, bacon and cooked sausage ready to be made into loaded baked beans.

There are a few favorite recipes we make over and over. Occasionally a new favorite sneaks in and becomes a new part of the rotation.

That is exactly what happened with these hearty baked beans. We served them with hamburgers and hot dogs on the Fourth of July and it was fun to see people go back for seconds and thirds of the beans.

What’s the Secret Ingredient?

They were trying to guess what was all in the mix. Each bite had a different combination of textures and flavors.

Beans, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar and apple pie filling in crockpot.

Adding crumbled bacon and cooked sausage with onions and green peppers to the crock.

The sausage and bacon were easy to pick out. Of course there were beans and bits of pepper.

It was the chunks of apple pie filling that really had people thinking. It added to the sweet and savory mix.

Ways To Change It Up

I like serving mine with a little bit of hot sauce so people can pep them up if they want. My grandma likes finely chopped onion and a dash of vinegar on hers.

Serving spoon filled with loaded baked beans being lifted out of slow cooker.

Because you start with canned beans, this is a relatively easy side dish. I like using the slow cooker, but you can easily make the recipe on the stove top.

Just use a really large pot and cook the mixture over low heat for a half hour, stirring occasionally to keep it from sticking or burning. Once the sauce is thickened and the mixture is heated through, you can go ahead and dig in!

More Great Bean Recipes

For another hearty bean recipe, try making cowboy beans with ground beef and green peppers at your next BBQ. They are a hearty and easy to make side dish that is made right in your slow cooker!

Baked beans are a classic side dish for good reason. This recipe flavors delicious baked beans with maple syrup and bacon. They start with dry beans and can still be made in a couple of hours with the help of an instant pot.

Bowl of loaded baked beans with cast iron skillet of blue cornbread in the background.

If you want to enjoy your beans as the main course, make crockpot ham and bean soup. It is such a comforting meal that is always welcome at our dinner table.

Or check out my collection of potluck salads and side dishes if you are looking for more great sides to share. There are so many fun recipes that are perfect for parties, BBQs and family reunions.

Did you make this great recipe? Please leave a review in the recipe card below!

Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Beans

Servings: 24 Servings

Author: Carlee

These yummy crock pot loaded baked beans have great flavor. They are the perfect side dish for your next backyard bbq, family reunion or potluck.

4.86 from 35 ratings

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 4 20

Total Time 4 30

Equipment

Ingredients

1 lb. pork sausage
1 lb. bacon
1 onion diced small
1 green pepper diced small
21 oz. apple pie filling
1 cup ketchup
½ cup light brown sugar
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 Tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 28 oz. cans baked beans
2 10.5 oz. cans black beans rinsed and drained

Instructions

Cook the bacon until crisp, drain the grease and set aside.
1 lb. bacon
In a large skillet, brown the sausage over medium heat. When the sausage is half cooked, add the diced bell pepper and onion. Cook until the sausage is cooked through and the veggies are softened. Drain off any excess grease.
1 lb. pork sausage, 1 onion, 1 green pepper
Roughly chop the apple pie filling and crispy bacon.
21 oz. apple pie filling
Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker.
1 cup ketchup, ½ cup light brown sugar, 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 2 Tablespoons prepared yellow mustard, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 2 28 oz. cans baked beans, 2 10.5 oz. cans black beans
Cook on low for 2-4 hours.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 6 months.

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Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 278kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 14gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 887mgFiber: 4gSugar: 17g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“Cooking With Carlee” is not a dietitian or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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