Experience the ultimate comfort food with this Slow Cooker Barbecue Beans and Sausage. Far from a basic, frugal meal, this dish transforms simple dry beans and savory sausages into a rich, homemade barbecue masterpiece, perfect for a filling and warming dinner.
Slow Cooker Barbecue Beans and Sausage: A Hearty, Frugal Family Favorite
There’s something incredibly satisfying about transforming simple ingredients into a meal that feels both luxurious and deeply comforting. This Slow Cooker Barbecue Beans and Sausage recipe is a prime example. It takes humble dry beans and readily available sausages, then simmers them in a rich, from-scratch barbecue sauce, resulting in a dish that’s anything but ordinary. It’s a testament to the fact that delicious, wholesome food doesn’t have to break the bank or demand hours of active cooking. Just imagine coming home to the savory aroma of a perfectly cooked meal, ready to be devoured.
I often find myself inspired by the concept of “decluttering.” Like many, I’ve watched those shows about hoarders and felt an immediate urge to simplify my own home. My kitchen, however, tells a slightly different story. Peeking into my cupboards or pantry might suggest a mild case of culinary “hoarding,” filled with an array of spices, various flours, and sometimes even duplicate ingredients. But it’s not without purpose! This collection is a treasure trove for creative cooking, allowing me to whip up diverse meals. This very recipe for Slow Cooker Barbecue Beans and Sausage emerged from such a moment – a desire to utilize the dry beans I knew were patiently waiting in the back of my pantry. It’s about more than just cooking; it’s about making the most of what you have, transforming overlooked ingredients into something truly special.
Why Slow Cooker Barbecue Beans and Sausage? The Ultimate Weeknight Hero
In our fast-paced lives, finding recipes that deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort is a game-changer. This slow cooker dish fits the bill perfectly, offering a blend of convenience, economy, and robust taste that makes it a true weeknight champion. Here’s why it deserves a spot in your meal rotation:
Effortless Comfort: Hands-Off Cooking at Its Best
The beauty of the slow cooker lies in its ability to do most of the work for you. After a quick prep, you simply set it and forget it, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen over several hours. This hands-off approach makes it ideal for busy weekdays when you want a home-cooked meal without being tethered to the stove. Imagine tossing everything in before you leave for work, and returning to a house filled with the inviting scent of barbecue, ready to serve. It’s the kind of comforting meal that warms you from the inside out, requiring little more than a bowl and a spoon.
Budget-Friendly Brilliance: Making Every Ingredient Count
One of the standout features of this recipe is its economic advantage. Dry beans are incredibly affordable, offering substantial nutrition at a fraction of the cost of canned varieties. Pairing them with versatile sausages, which are often more budget-friendly than other protein sources, creates a dish that is hearty and satisfying without straining your wallet. This makes it an excellent choice for meal prepping or feeding a crowd, proving that “frugal” can indeed be synonymous with “delicious.”
Flavorful & Customizable: A Barbecue Masterpiece
What truly elevates this dish is the rich, homemade barbecue sauce. Instead of relying on store-bought options, you build a complex flavor profile from scratch using a blend of tomato paste, brown sugar, molasses, and a unique touch of honey mustard. This base infuses the beans and sausages with a smoky, sweet, and tangy taste that is both familiar and exciting. Furthermore, the recipe is incredibly adaptable. You can easily adjust the spice level, swap out bean types, or experiment with different sausage varieties to suit your family’s preferences, ensuring every batch is a perfect fit.
Key Ingredients for Unforgettable Flavor
The magic of this Slow Cooker Barbecue Beans and Sausage comes from a thoughtfully chosen blend of ingredients, each playing a crucial role in building its distinctive and comforting flavor profile. Here’s a closer look at what goes into this hearty dish:
- Dry Navy Beans: The foundation of our dish. While navy beans are traditional for their creamy texture when cooked, you have the flexibility to use other dry beans like great northern, cannellini, or even pinto beans. Remember that soaking dry beans overnight is key for even cooking and improved digestion.
- Chicken Broth: Opting for chicken broth over water significantly enhances the depth of flavor in the barbecue sauce and helps the beans cook to perfection. Feel free to use store-bought or your own homemade broth.
- Tomato Paste: This concentrated tomato flavor forms the rich base of our barbecue sauce, providing a deep umami note that ties all the other flavors together. Buying it in a tube allows for easy measurement and storage of leftovers.
- Light Brown Sugar: Essential for that classic sweet and tangy barbecue taste. Be sure to pack it down when measuring to get the right amount of sweetness and moisture.
- Molasses: A critical ingredient for authentic barbecue flavor, molasses adds a deep, complex sweetness and a subtle smoky undertone that can’t be replicated. A medium molasses works perfectly here.
- Honey Mustard: This adds a unique layer of tangy sweetness and a touch of warmth. If you don’t have honey mustard on hand, a simple mix of equal parts honey and dijon mustard can be a good substitute.
- Barbecue Seasoning Blend: A good quality blend brings together various spices that are characteristic of barbecue cuisine. Many grocery stores offer a selection; choose one you enjoy, or even make your own custom blend!
- Garlic Cloves: Fresh minced garlic is indispensable for its pungent aroma and robust flavor, contributing significantly to the savory depth of the sauce.
- Onion: Halved and studded with cloves, the onion slowly releases its aromatic compounds throughout the cooking process, infusing the beans with a sweet and savory base. Even if you plan to remove it before serving, don’t skip this step for maximum flavor.
- Whole Cloves: These small but mighty spices add a warm, complex, and slightly sweet aroma to the dish, complementing the barbecue flavors beautifully. They are typically removed with the onion before serving.
- Chicken Sausages: We recommend chicken sausages, especially varieties like chicken and apple, for their lean protein and delightful flavor that pairs wonderfully with the beans. However, feel free to use your favorite type of sausage, whether it’s pork, turkey, or even a plant-based option.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This bright and tangy ingredient is crucial for balancing the sweetness and richness of the barbecue sauce, adding a much-needed acidic kick that brings all the flavors into harmony.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A secret weapon for many savory dishes, Worcestershire sauce provides an extra layer of umami and complexity, rounding out the overall flavor profile of the beans.
- Pickled Peppers, Sliced Green Onions, and/or Sour Cream (for serving): These garnishes are not just for show! They add texture, brightness, and a cooling contrast to the rich and hearty beans. We highly recommend using them all to elevate your serving experience.
Pro Tips for Slow Cooker Success
Making Slow Cooker Barbecue Beans and Sausage is straightforward, but a few expert tips can ensure your dish turns out perfectly every time. From bean prep to cooking nuances, these insights will help you master this comforting recipe.
- To Soak or Not to Soak? The Dry Bean Debate: For optimal texture and reduced cooking time, soaking dry beans overnight is highly recommended. It also aids in digestibility. If you forget to soak, a “quick soak” method can be used: bring beans and water to a boil, boil for 5 minutes, then remove from heat, cover, and let stand for an hour. Rinse thoroughly before adding to the slow cooker. However, even with quick soaking, cook times may vary.
- Canned Bean Shortcut: If you’re truly short on time or prefer not to use dry beans, canned beans are a viable alternative. You’ll need about 4-5 cans (15-ounce each), rinsed and drained. Adjust the cooking time significantly – instead of cooking on high for 6 hours, you’ll likely only need 2-3 hours on low or 1-2 hours on high, just long enough for the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken. Omit the initial soaking step entirely.
- Bean Varieties & Cook Times: While navy beans are classic for their creamy texture, feel free to experiment with other varieties like great northern, cannellini, or pinto beans. Keep in mind that different types of beans can have slightly different cooking times and may absorb liquid differently. Always monitor your beans for tenderness.
- Altitude Adjustments Matter: If you live at a higher altitude, you might find that beans take longer to cook than indicated in most recipes. This is due to lower atmospheric pressure. Be patient and allow for additional cooking time as needed, checking for tenderness regularly.
- Don’t Fear the Taste Test: The best way to know if your beans are done is to taste them! They should be tender, creamy, and free of any gritty texture. Don’t be afraid to check them periodically, especially if this is your first time making beans in your slow cooker. Make a note of the exact cooking time for future reference.
- Sausage Slicing: Adding the sausages later in the cooking process (about 2 hours before the beans are fully tender) ensures they are perfectly cooked without becoming mushy. Slicing them into 1-inch pieces after cooking allows them to fully absorb the delicious barbecue sauce and makes for easier serving.
- The Onion and Clove Trick: The onion halves studded with whole cloves are purely for aromatic infusion. Remember to remove and discard them before serving for a smooth, flavorful bean dish without unwanted textures.
Serving Suggestions & Pairing Ideas
This Slow Cooker Barbecue Beans and Sausage is a versatile dish that can be the star of your meal or a fantastic side. Here are some ideas to make your serving experience even better:
- Classic Comfort: Serve a generous scoop alongside a slice of warm, buttery cornbread. The sweet and savory combination is unbeatable.
- Freshness Factor: Pair it with a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the beans.
- Hearty Meal: For a more substantial dinner, spoon the beans and sausage over fluffy white rice, quinoa, or even mashed potatoes.
- Picnic or Potluck Essential: This dish travels well and is always a crowd-pleaser at gatherings. It holds its warmth beautifully.
- Breakfast Twist: Don’t limit this to dinner! Serve leftover beans with a fried egg and a side of toast for a hearty breakfast or brunch.
- Sandwich Filler: For a unique lunch, pile the beans and sausage onto toasted buns or thick slices of bread for a delicious, open-faced sandwich.
More Crock Pot Recipes You’ll Love
The slow cooker is a true kitchen hero, making meal prep effortless and delivering delicious results every time. If you enjoyed the ease and comfort of these Slow Cooker Barbecue Beans and Sausage, you’ll love exploring these other fantastic slow cooker recipes:
Crock Pot Chili
Slow Cooker Cuban Ropa Vieja
Crock Pot Corn Chowder
Slow Cooker Turkey Meatloaf
Asian Slow Cooker Pork Roast
Essential Tools for Making this Crock Pot Beans and Sausage
To make this recipe a breeze, a reliable slow cooker is key. This Slow Cooker, similar to the one I use, is a fantastic option. I particularly appreciate models that offer a medium heat setting, in addition to the standard low and high, providing more flexibility for various dishes.
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Crock Pot Beans and Sausage
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Ingredients
- 1 lb dry navy beans rinsed and picked over
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/3 cup tomato paste
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons molasses
- 3 tablespoon honey mustard
- 2 tablespoons barbecue seasoning blend
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small onion halved
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 lb chicken sausages
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Pickled peppers, sliced green onions, and/or sour cream, for serving
Instructions
- Place the beans in a large bowl and cover with water. Let the beans soak overnight.1 lb dry navy beans
- In the bottom of your slow cooker, whisk together the chicken broth, tomato paste, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, barbecue seasoning, and garlic.3 cups chicken broth, 1/3 cup tomato paste, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 3 tablespoons molasses, 3 tablespoon honey mustard, 2 tablespoons barbecue seasoning blend, 4 cloves garlic
- Drain the beans, then add them to the slow cooker.
- Push 2 cloves into each of the onion halves and tuck the onions into the beans.1 small onion, 4 whole cloves
- Set the slow cooker to high and cook until the beans are tender, about 6 hours.
- When there are about 2 hours left, add the sausages to the slow cooker.1 lb chicken sausages
- When the beans are soft, remove the sausages and cut them into 1-inch pieces and return them to the slow cooker.
- Remove the onion halves and discard.
- Add the vinegar and Worcestershire sauce and stir to combine. Let the mixture sit in the slow cooker, uncovered, for 15 minutes.2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- To serve, garnish with pickled peppers, sliced green onions and sour cream.Pickled peppers, sliced green onions, and/or sour cream, for serving
Recipe Notes:
Slightly adapted from Food Network Magazine August/September 2009
Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should only be used as a general guideline.