Crockpot Barbecue Beans

Beans have a bad reputation.  I know it, and I'm here to stick up for them.  I love beans.  I love them in soup.  I love green beans.  I love chili beans.  I love white beans.  I love.. well you get the picture.  And they don't have to taste awful.  When you make beans for a cookout or bigger gathering they don't have to be the basic beans, brown sugar and pineapple concoction.  (No offense to them, my Grandma's were delicious.)  

Give this recipe a try, you won't be sorry!  (they do take a lot of time to cook, but after the initial prep they do the work themselves and people will rave about them.)

Crockpot Barbecue Beans

32oz dried pinto beans

2 lbs ground beef, browned and drained

1 c. crumbled cooked bacon

1 medium onion, diced

2 16oz bottles of Wegmans Carolina Style Barbecue Sauce (or make your own but I don't do well with liquid smoke so I rely on good old Wegmans)

1 c. Ketchup

1 1/4 c. Brown Sugar, packed

1/2 c. water

1 Tbsp yellow mustard

1/2 tspn ground cayenne pepper 

1/2 tspn salt

In a large mixing bowl, cover the pinto beans with boiling water and soak overnight (at least 8-10 hours) and then drain and rinse.  In the crockpot mix together all the ingredients.  Cook them on high for 8-10 hours, or until beans are soft, but not mushy.

If you like more kick, feel free to add more cayenne!  These are the perfect dish for a family gathering.  They are also full of protein so you could actually serve them along side a nice salad and roll for dinner.