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Not too long ago I researched Navy beans for my Navy Bean & Ham soup. During that research I also found that navy beans, named after the bean of choice of the U.S. Navy, are the main bean used in Boston Baked Beans. I have been making my BBQ Bean dinner for years using canned BUSH beans, but decided it was time to make true Boston Baked Beans my way. I found that most versions used salt pork, but I like the bacon too so I chose to use both. You could substitute if your prefer though. I also eliminated all mustard due to an allergy, but also because I prefer the sweeter version.

Here is my version:

BOSTON BAKED BEAN DINNER ala SLOW COOKER
2 pounds ground beef
1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 pound salt pork, cubed & browned
2 large Vidalia or Maui onion, chopped small
4 tablespoons liquid smoke
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup jalapeno ketchup
1 cup molasses
3 cups packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cup vinegar
1 pound navy beans

• Soak beans overnight.
• Brown hamburger, drain and layer into the bottom of your slow cooker.
• Cube and brown the salt pork. Add to slow cooker.
• Fry bacon until crisp. Crumble bacon into pieces. Add to slow cooker.
• Chop onion into small pieces and scatter over the meat.
• Add the beans to the slow cooker.
• Scatter the brown sugar over top evenly.
• Stir together the molasses, ketchup, chicken stock, vinegar, liquid smoke and Worcestershire sauce. Pour evenly over everything in the slow cooker.
• Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
• Serve with Beer Bread or Cheddar Cheese Biscuits.
• Great dish for a church pot luck.

NOTE: Add enough chicken stock so that the beans are COMPLETELY covered.

BOSTON BAKED BEAN DINNER
2 pounds ground beef
1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 pound salt pork, cubed & browned
2 large Vidalia or Maui onion, chopped small
4 tablespoons liquid smoke
1 cup jalapeno ketchup
1 cup molasses
3 cups packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cup vinegar
1 pound navy beans

• Soak beans overnight.
• Brown hamburger, drain and layer into the bottom of your slow cooker.
• Cube and brown the salt pork. Add to slow cooker.
• Fry bacon until crisp. Crumble bacon into pieces. Add to slow cooker.
• Chop onion into small pieces and scatter over the meat.
• Add the beans to the slow cooker.
• Scatter the brown sugar over top evenly.
• Stir together the molasses, ketchup, vinegar, liquid smoke and Worcestershire sauce. Pour evenly over everything in the slow cooker.
• Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
• Serve with Beer Bread or Cheddar Cheese Biscuits.
• Great dish for a church pot luck.

OLD FASHIONED BOSTON BAKED BEANS
1 pound Navy beans, washed and sorted
1/2 pound salt pork, diced small
1 medium Vidalia onion, chopped
1/4 cup ketchup
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/8 cup PURE maple syrup
1/4 cup molasses

• Dice salt pork and layer on bottom of slow cooker.
• Chop onion and scatter over salt pork pieces.
• Wash and sort beans.
• Place beans in slow cooker on top of salt pork.
• Cover with 5 cups water.
• Cook on low overnight for 12 hours.
• Drain beans, reserving liquid.
• Return beans to slow cooker.
• Add vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, maple syrup and molasses and blend well.
• Add in 1/2 cup of bean water as desired for consistency.
• Heat through for an hour or so.