Crockpot Hawaiian Baked Beans with Ham for Easy Weeknight Dinners Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

For a slightly smoky flavor, add a drop of liquid smoke to the sauce before cooking. This complements the ham and barbecue notes beautifully.

If you prefer a bit of heat, stir in a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes or finely diced jalapeño peppers during the initial assembly phase.

If you find the sauce is too thick after four hours, stir in a small splash of water or apple juice to adjust the consistency to your liking.

Always adjust the seasoning at the very end, as the flavors concentrate significantly during the slow cooking process, making it easy to over-season early on.

Variations

• Spicy Hawaiian Beans: Add two chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to the slow cooker to introduce a smoky heat that contrasts perfectly with the sweet pineapple and brown sugar.
• Vegetarian Hawaiian Beans: Replace the diced ham with firm, smoked tofu cubes or extra beans to create a vegetarian version that still retains the classic sweet and savory flavor profile.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer

Freeze in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheat

Reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat until steaming hot, or microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until heated through.

Transfer any leftover beans into an airtight container. Allow them to cool at room temperature for no more than 2 hours before placing them directly into the refrigerator to maintain food safety and quality.

These beans are an excellent make-ahead dish because the flavors continue to develop and meld while sitting in the refrigerator. You can prepare the entire dish a day in advance, let it cool completely, and then reheat it on the stove or in the microwave when you are ready to serve.

Serving ideas

Serve these Hawaiian baked beans as a hearty side dish alongside grilled meats, such as ribs, chicken, or burgers.

Their sweet and savory profile pairs perfectly with charred proteins, making them a staple for summer barbecues, potlucks, or casual outdoor dinners with friends and family during the warmer months.

For a complete meal, serve the beans over a bed of fluffy white rice or alongside a slice of warm cornbread to soak up the delicious, tangy sauce.

A simple side salad with a crisp vinaigrette also provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the beans, balancing the overall meal effectively.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Crockpot Hawaiian Baked Beans with Ham for Easy Weeknight Dinners

Prep 5 minCook 4 hTotal 4 h 5 minServes 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups diced ham
• 2 cans (15 oz each) baked beans
• 1 cup pineapple chunks, drained
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup barbecue sauce

Instructions

1. Place the diced ham into the basin of the slow cooker. Add the canned baked beans, pineapple chunks, brown sugar, and barbecue sauce directly over the ham.
2. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on the low setting for 4 hours until the mixture is thick, bubbly, and fragrant.
3. Ensure the ham has reached an internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C). Let the dish rest for 3 minutes before serving in warm bowls.

Contains: gluten

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

280

Protein

12 g

Carbohydrates

45 g

Fat

6 g

Fiber

7 g

Sugar

22 g

Sodium

850 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.