Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Baked Beans (Easy Sweet & Smoky Crockpot Beans)
These Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Baked Beans are sweet, smoky, and packed with flavor. Made with a hearty trio of beans, crispy bacon, and a rich Dr Pepper BBQ-style sauce, this easy crockpot side dish is perfect for summer cookouts, potlucks, and family dinners.
There are certain dishes that just belong at every summer cookout, and baked beans are definitely one of them.
It doesn’t matter what else is on the table, burgers, hot dogs, ribs, if there isn’t a big pot of baked beans sitting out, something feels like it’s missing.
But not all baked beans are the same.
Some are too sweet, some are too plain, and some just kind of sit on the plate without anyone going back for seconds. These Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Baked Beans are not that kind of recipe.
These are the kind people ask about.
I started making these because I wanted something easy that I could throw together without thinking too much about it, especially on days when I already had a lot going on. I had some cans of beans, some leftover bacon, and a Dr Pepper in the fridge, and it just came together from there.
And once I made them the first time, they never really left the rotation.
What makes these so good is that balance of flavors. You’ve got the sweetness from the brown sugar and Dr Pepper, the tang from the vinegar and mustard, and that smoky depth from the bacon and BBQ sauce. Everything cooks together low and slow until it thickens into this rich, hearty dish that tastes like you spent way more time on it than you actually did.
This is also one of those recipes that seems to get better the longer it sits. The flavors really come together, and it ends up being one of the first things gone at the table.
I brought this to a cookout once thinking it would just be another side, and it ended up being the thing everyone kept going back for even over the main dishes. That’s when I knew it was a keeper.
What Are Dr Pepper Baked Beans?
Dr Pepper Baked Beans are a sweet and savory baked bean dish made with a mix of beans, bacon, and a flavorful sauce that includes BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and Dr Pepper.
The soda adds a unique sweetness and depth of flavor while helping create a thick, rich sauce as the beans cook.
This slow cooker version makes it incredibly easy by letting everything simmer together until perfectly tender and flavorful.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy slow cooker side dish
- Perfect for cookouts and potlucks
- Sweet, smoky, and tangy flavor
- Feeds a crowd
- Budget-friendly
- Make-ahead friendly
When To Serve This Recipe
These baked beans are perfect for:
- Summer cookouts
- BBQs
- Potlucks
- Holiday gatherings
- Family dinners
- Game day spreads
Ingredients
8 slices cooked bacon, chopped
Adds smoky flavor and richness to the beans.
½ small onion, diced
Adds sweetness and depth as it cooks.
2 cloves garlic, minced
Brings bold flavor to the dish.
2 (15 oz) cans pinto beans, rinsed and drained
Soft and creamy, they form part of the base.
2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained
Adds a firmer texture and heartiness.
2 (15 oz) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
Creamy and mild, balances the mix.
½ cup vinegar
Adds tang and balances the sweetness.
½ cup BBQ sauce
Brings smoky, sweet flavor.
¼ cup brown sugar
Sweetens and helps thicken the sauce.
2 tablespoons mustard
Adds sharpness and depth.
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Enhances savory flavor.
1 tablespoon chili powder
Adds warmth and mild spice.
1 teaspoon black pepper
Balances flavors.
1 teaspoon salt
Enhances everything.
2 (7.5 oz) cans Dr Pepper
The key ingredient — adds sweetness and richness.
How To Make Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Baked Beans
- Add the cooked chopped bacon to the slow cooker.
- Add diced onion and minced garlic.
- Stir in the pinto beans, kidney beans, and cannellini beans.
- Add vinegar, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, black pepper, and salt.
- Pour in the Dr Pepper.
- Stir everything together until well combined.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.
- Stir before serving and garnish with parsley if desired.
Substitutions
Bacon → turkey bacon or omit
Dr Pepper → Coke or root beer
Beans → any mix of beans you prefer
BBQ sauce → any style (smoky, spicy, sweet)
Variations
Spicy Baked Beans
Add jalapeños or red pepper flakes.
Meaty Beans
Add ground beef or sausage.
Sweet & Smoky Beans
Add a little liquid smoke.
Loaded Beans
Add bell peppers or extra onions.
Tips & Tricks
Use thick-cut bacon for more flavor.
Rinse beans to reduce excess sodium.
Stir occasionally if cooking on high.
Storage + Make Ahead Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.
Reheat on the stovetop or microwave.
These beans taste even better the next day.
Freeze for up to 2 months.
FAQs
Can I make these baked beans ahead of time?
Yes, these beans are actually even better when made ahead. The flavors continue to develop as they sit, making them perfect for prepping the day before a cookout or gathering. Just reheat before serving and stir well.
What does Dr Pepper do in baked beans?
Dr Pepper adds sweetness and depth of flavor while helping create a thick, rich sauce as it cooks. It blends with the BBQ sauce and seasonings to give the beans that signature sweet and smoky taste.
Can I use different types of beans?
Absolutely. You can mix and match based on what you have on hand. Great northern beans, black beans, or even baked beans can be used. The combination of textures makes the dish more interesting.
How do I thicken baked beans if they are too thin?
If your beans are too thin, you can remove the lid and let them cook a bit longer to reduce the liquid. You can also mash a small portion of the beans and stir them back in to naturally thicken the mixture.
Can I make these without bacon?
Yes, you can leave out the bacon if needed. The beans will still have plenty of flavor from the sauce and seasonings, but you can add a little smoked paprika or liquid smoke to replace that smoky element.
Serving Ideas
Serve these baked beans with:
- Burgers
- Hot dogs
- Ribs
- Pulled pork
- Corn on the cob
- Potato salad
Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Baked Beans (Easy Sweet & Smoky Crockpot Beans)
You always need a good baked bean recipe for those summer cookouts coming up and these Dr. Pepper Baked Beans are so easy and full of flavor. A trio of beans mixes with seasonings, onion, bacon and of course Dr. Pepper which gives these beans so much flavor and sweetness.
Ingredients
- 8 slices cooked, chopped bacon
- 1/2 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (15 ounces) cans pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 (15 ounce) cans red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 (15 ounce) cans white cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- ½ cup vinegar
- ½ cup bbq sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 (7.5) ounce cans Dr. Pepper
Instructions
- Into your slow cooker add the bacon, onion, garlic, beans, vinegar, bbq sauce, brown sugar, mustard, worcestershire sauce, chili powder, black pepper, salt and Dr. Pepper.
- Stir everything together.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
- Garnish with parsley and serve.
Notes
- You can make these your own by adding bell pepper, jalapenos, red pepper flakes or even ground beef or sausage.
- Store the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 243Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 619mgCarbohydrates: 45gFiber: 10gSugar: 14gProtein: 12g
If you love these slow cooker Dr Pepper baked beans, here are some more easy cookout favorites packed with sweet, savory, smoky flavor that are perfect for backyard BBQs, potlucks, and family dinners!
- Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Ribs — Fall-apart tender ribs coated in a rich sweet and savory sauce made with Dr Pepper for an easy BBQ-style dinner everyone will love.
- Slow Cooker BBQ Brisket — Tender brisket slow cooked in a smoky BBQ sauce until juicy and flavorful, perfect for sandwiches, platters, or feeding a crowd.
- Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Shredded Beef — Juicy shredded beef cooked low and slow in a sweet and savory Dr Pepper sauce that’s perfect for sandwiches, sliders, or serving over mashed potatoes.
- Slow Cooker BBQ Ranch Chicken Sandwiches — Tender shredded chicken cooked in a tangy BBQ ranch sauce and piled onto buns for an easy crowd-pleasing meal.
- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad — A creamy, classic side dish that pairs perfectly with BBQ favorites and adds a cool, refreshing balance to your plate.
- Steak Sliders with Red Wine Sauce — Juicy steak served on soft rolls with a rich red wine sauce for a flavorful slider recipe that’s perfect for parties or family dinners.
These Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Baked Beans are one of those side dishes that ends up stealing the spotlight. They’re easy, packed with flavor, and perfect for feeding a crowd.
And once you make them once, they tend to become the baked beans you bring every time.
