Slow-Simmered Kidney Beans

Name: Slow-Simmered Kidney Beans
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 15 min
Yield: 16 servings (3/4 cup each).
Ingredients: 6 bacon strips, diced; 1/2 pound smoked Polish sausage or kielbasa, sliced; 4 cans (16 ounces each) kidney beans, rinsed and drained; 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained; 2 medium sweet red peppers, chopped; 1 large onion, chopped; 1 cup ketchup; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 1/4 cup honey; 1/4 cup molasses; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground mustard; 2 medium unpeeled red apples, cubed

My husband always puts us down for a side dish when we're invited to a potluck. Canned beans cut down on prep time, yet you get plenty of zip from bacon, apple, red pepper and onion. I like simmering this mixture in the slow cooker because it blends the flavors and I don't have to stand over the stove. —Sheila Vail, Long Beach, California

Ingredients

6 bacon strips, diced
1/2 pound smoked Polish sausage or kielbasa, sliced
4 cans (16 ounces each) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
2 medium sweet red peppers, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup molasses
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground mustard
2 medium unpeeled red apples, cubed

Directions

In a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon to paper towels. Add sausage to drippings; cook and stir for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
In a 6-qt. slow cooker, combine the beans, tomatoes, red peppers, onion, ketchup, brown sugar, honey, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, salt and mustard. Stir in the bacon and sausage. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Stir in apples. Cover and cook 2 hours longer or until bubbly.

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup: 216 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 664mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein.

Originally published as Slow-Simmered Kidney Beans in Quick Cooking January/February 2000

Reviews

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Average Rating:

T

Apr 10, 2019

Made this ,added green peppers and garlic with vegetables and sautéed them in sausage drippings for five minutes. Other than this , followed recipe. It was easy, the house smelled like good food, taste delicious! Keeper.
fhquilting

Mar 15, 2018

very good!! I added 8-oz undrained can pineapple tidbits and 3-4 Tbsp of cider vinegar.
marla3206

Feb 6, 2016

This is always a hit. I've been asked to specifically bring these beans to parties.I do not add the apples.
twinkle8o3

Aug 3, 2009

It was good. I might make it again. It smelled great while it was cooking. I got quite a few compliments. I'm not jumping out of my seat over this recipe, but it was okay overall.