This slow cooker Baked Beans with Sausage recipe will be made on repeat! It’s full of savory kielbasa sausage and a rich sauce made of molasses, ketchup, spices, and more. It’s easy to prepare, so you can spend more time enjoying a serving (or two) for dinner or any time.
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Each of the ingredients plays an important part in this recipe. They add their own unique flavor and texture, so when it all comes together, each bite is heaven. If you don’t like canned baked beans, I urge you to try these baked beans with kielbasa before you count out every variety.
If you like tasty kielbasa recipes, you will love cooking kielbasa in the air fryer and this cabbage with kielbasa and bacon too!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Prep takes 15 minutes: It takes about 15 minutes to get all the ingredients prepped and ready to go. After that, your slow cooker will take over and do the remainder of the work so you can enjoy delicious baked beans and sausage in a few hours.
- You can customize it: I love that sausage baked beans are easy to make your own. There are several components you can substitute to make the flavor profile different but still tasty.
- It’s budget-friendly: The ingredients used in this sausage and beans recipe are cheap and affordable. It proves that you don’t need to spend a ton of money on obscure items to create something yummy.
Ingredients
These are all the items I use in this slow cooker baked beans with kielbasa recipe. They all come together to create a rich and comforting dish!
- Kielbasa: I love kielbasa in this recipe for its distinct, smoky flavor. It goes well with the savory spices and sweetness of the molasses and brown sugar.
- Pork n’ Beans: I like to use pork n’ beans because it has pork fat, which adds more flavor and richness. I feel like it ties in well with the sausage. Feel free to use other canned beans if you like, such as navy beans or cannellini beans.
- Onions and garlic: I use a sweet onion to balance the savory flavors and minced garlic for depth and to enhance the other ingredients.
- Brown sugar: This sweetens just enough and has more depth than just regular sugar. Feel free to use light or dark brown sugar here.
- Molasses: Blackstrap molasses is a key ingredient in this baked beans and kielbasa recipe. It’s concentrated, less sweet, and has an almost bitter flavor, but it pairs well with the kielbasa, beans, and brown sugar. It adds balance!
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Baked beans with Italian sausage: Make a bold version by using sliced or ground Italian sausage in place of kielbasa.
- Baked beans with Little Smokies: Feel free to use little smokies in these baked beans and sausage to make “franks and beans.”
- Baked beans with bacon and sausage: Add in chopped, cooked bacon during the last 30-60 minutes of cooking time to infuse even more smoky flavor.
- Cowboy baked beans: Make a cowboy baked beans version by adding ground beef to make it extra hearty.
How to Make Baked Beans with Kielbasa Sausage
To get started on your slow cooker baked beans and sausage, turn your slow cooker on to high heat. This will ensure it’s nice and hot after you slice the kielbasa, so it can brown.
Step 1: Add the kielbasa. Place the kielbasa slices into the bottom of your slow cooker.
Step 2: Brown it. Cook the kielbasa for about 45 minutes or until they brown. Then, flip the pieces and cook them for another 15 minutes.
Step 3: Stir in beans. Pour in the cans of Pork n' Beans and give it all a good stir.
Step 4: Add the remaining ingredients. Add the onions, garlic, spices, brown sugar, ketchup, and molasses to the slow cooker. Stir all the ingredients until they are fully mixed.
Step 5: Cook. Pop the lid on it and cook it on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 7-8 hours. When it's ready, serve and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Stick to low heat if possible: I often cook this recipe on high heat, but I do prefer low heat when I can. This allows it to cook all day without worrying about the sugar burning to the edges of the pot.
- Skip browning the sausage: Searing the kielbasa adds depth of flavor, but you can skip it if you want to save some time. The result still turns out super delicious.
- Cut kielbasa into chunks: Feel free to cut the sausage into chunks instead of slices if you want. It doesn’t matter!
If you love recipes like these easy baked beans, you may want to try making these smoky BBQ beans in the smoker.
Storage Directions
- Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze the leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat it in a saucepan over low heat for 6-8 minutes or in a microwave-safe bowl for 2-3 minutes.
- Make Ahead: Prepare some of the ingredients, like dicing the onions and mincing the garlic, ahead of time so you only have to mix it all up before starting the slow cooker. I like to do this the night before, so morning prep is extra quick and easy.
Serving Suggestions
- These baked cabbage steaks make a great accompaniment to kielbasa and baked beans. The flavors complement each other so well.
- Keep it light and prepare this strawberry spinach salad with goat cheese as a side dish.
- Sprinkle some chopped bacon cooked in a toaster oven in your sausage and baked beans.
- This baked beans and sausage recipe is great to go with air fried pretzel dogs for dinner.
- Top your portion with pickled habaneros for a pop of brightness and spice.
Recipe FAQs
Sure! Sear the slices of kielbasa over medium-high heat and then saute the onions and garlic. Add the remaining ingredients and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer the sausage and beans for 10-15 minutes or until thick and bubbly.
Of course. Saute the sausage, onion, and garlic in the pot. Then, add the rest of the ingredients and pressure cook for 15-20 minutes. Naturally release the pressure and serve!
Yup. Sear them in a skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side and then transfer them to your slow cooker.
More Delicious Slow Cooker Dishes
Do you like slow cooker? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section, I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Baked Beans with Sausage (Slow Cooker)
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Knife
Ingredients
- 1 1-pound package Polska kielbasa
- 4 cans pork 'n beans 14 - 17 ounce cans
- 1 small sweet onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon coarse ground garlic salt
- 1 tablespoon dry ground mustard found with the spices
- 3 tablespoons black strap molasses
- ½ cup ketchup
Instructions
- Place the lid on the Crock Pot, and turn the Crock Pot on High heat. Open the Kielbasa, and slice in round pieces, and place the pieces in the bottom of the Crock Pot. Leave the Kielbasa in the bottom of the Crock Pot for about 45 minutes, then turn the pieces, and leave for another 15 minutes.
- Add the Pork 'n beans. Stir with wooden spoon. Add chopped onion, minced garlic, brown sugar, garlic salt, ground mustard, molasses, and ketchup. Stir all ingredients together, making sure to stir kielbasa into the beans.
- Leave the Crock Pot on high and cook the beans until they're bubbling, about 4 or 5 hours. Stir well, and turn the Crock Pot to low or keep warm, and stir occasionally until time to serve.
- Serve, and enjoy every bite!
Notes
- This sausage baked beans recipe works great on the stovetop or in your Instant Pot too!
- To save time, you can skip the browning step and just mix the slices with the beans and the other ingredients. Cook them for the same amount of time and it’s just as tasty.
- Store any leftovers beans and sausage in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.
Nutrition
This post was originally published September 2021. It's been updated with new content and images.
Marilyn says
This reminds me of beans and weiners on toast as a kid. This is a grown up version. Can they be freezed if i make a hug batch?
Karin and Ken says
Yes. We freeze them in smaller portions so I make sure my husband and I have enough for us. If my son is here I take out 2. Enjoy the easy recipe. It’s delicious! All the best. Karin
Amy says
These beans are fantastic! My family loved them!
Can these beans be made ahead of time and cooked the day of the event?
Karin and Ken says
I’m glad you enjoyed it! It most definitely can be made ahead. I’ve done it myself. Made it the day the before, allowed it to cool, refrigerated slow cooker bowl for night, took it out of the fridge inside slow cooker bowl, set it on low, stirring occasionally, and brought it with us hot. Tasted even better! Thank you for letting me know. All the best. Karin