[NEW] Slow Cooker Bean-hole Beans

Bean-hole beans are an American tradition dating back to the Native American technique of baking beans with bear fat and maple syrup buried in clay pots under coals. This recipe is designed for the modern day bean hole: the slow cooker. Relying on Guiding Stars-earning chicken sausage for a dose of animal fat and a touch of molasses for sweetness, you can carry on your family's Saturday tradition with a healthier spin.
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Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 11 Hours and 45 Minutes
Total Time: 11 hours 55 mins
6 Servings
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[NEW] Slow Cooker Bean-hole Beans

Ingredients

  • 1 pound dried navy or great northern beans 1 teaspoon canola oil
  • 2 medium onions, chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves Pinch of crushed red pepper 1/
  • 4 cup molasses 1/
  • 4 cup tomato puree 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon dry mustard 1/2 pound Guiding Star-earning chicken sausage, sliced into disks
  • 3 cups boiling water 2 bay leaves 2 tablespoons cider vinegar 1/4 teaspoon salt Freshly ground pepper, to taste

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Instructions

  1. Place beans in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Let soak overnight, 8 hours minimum. If you don't have time to let them stand overnight, boil with a half-gallon of water for 2 minutes and let stand, covered, for 1 hour.
  2. Drain and rinse beans. Place in slow cooker.
  3. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and sausage. Cook until onions are softened and light golden and sausage is browned on the outside, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, thyme and crushed red pepper; cook for 1 minute. Add to the beans.
  4. Add molasses, tomato puree, Worcestershire sauce and mustard to the beans; stir to combine. Add boiling water and top with bay leaves.
  5. Cover and cook until the beans are tender, about 4 1/2 hours on high or about 11 hours on low. Remove the bay leaves. Season with vinegar, hot sauce, salt and pepper. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts

6 servings per container
Serving size 308 g
Amount per serving
Calories 381
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4.1g 5%
Saturated Fat 0.6g 3%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 13.5mg 5%
Sodium 358.1mg 16%
Total Carbohydrate 63.5g 23%
Dietary Fiber 12.66g 46%
Total Sugars 16.3g
Includes 11.2g Added Sugars 22%
Protein 26g
Vitamin D 0mcg 0%
Calcium 170.6mg 15%
Iron 6.2mg 35%
Potassium 1260.8mg 25%

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Practical Notes
No additional notes for this recipe.

Score Breakdown

+ More
  • Fiber
  • Vitamins & Minerals
  • Whole Grains
− Less
  • Additives to Limit
  • Added Sodium
  • Added Sugar
+5 -3 =2
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