Description
Hearty and flavorful Slow Cooker Hawaiian Baked Beans combines a medley of beans with sweet pineapple, smoky bacon, and tangy barbecue sauce, slow-cooked to perfection for an easy and satisfying side dish or main. Perfect for gatherings or weeknight meals, this recipe offers a delightful balance of savory and sweet in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Beans
- 28 oz can cannelli beans (drained and rinsed)
- 28 oz can pinto beans (drained and rinsed)
- 14 oz can kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
Fruit
- 20 oz can pineapple chunks
- ¼ cup pineapple juice (reserved from pineapple chunks can)
Others
- 10 slices bacon (cooked and diced)
- 1 medium yellow onion (finely diced)
- 1 cup barbeque sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s Original recommended)
- â…“ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Beans: Rinse and drain the cannelli, pinto, and kidney beans thoroughly, then place them into the bottom of a 5-quart or larger slow cooker.
- Cook Bacon: Cook the bacon slices until crispy, then dice them into small pieces and add them to the slow cooker with the beans.
- Sauté Onions (Optional): In the leftover bacon grease, sauté the finely diced yellow onion for several minutes until soft and fragrant. Add the cooked onions to the slow cooker to enhance the dish’s flavor depth.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Pour in the pineapple chunks along with ¼ cup of the reserved pineapple juice, barbeque sauce, ketchup, and dijon mustard. Season with kosher salt and ground black pepper. Stir everything thoroughly to combine all flavors.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 2-3 hours, or alternatively on low for 5-6 hours. Adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed toward the end of cooking.
- Serve: Serve the Hawaiian baked beans immediately while warm, or keep them on the slow cooker’s warm setting until ready to eat. Enjoy this sweet and savory dish as a side or main course.
Notes
- For deeper onion flavor, sautéing is recommended but optional.
- Use a slow cooker of at least 5 quarts to prevent overflow and ensure even cooking.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less pineapple juice according to taste preferences.
- This dish pairs well with grilled meats or as a hearty vegetarian meal if bacon is omitted.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
