Dump generic canned baked beans over frozen raw beef sausage ring, alongside 2 ingredients, into slow cooker for a holiday feast that's always a yes in my house

These slow cooker beans are the kind of easy, filling dish that feels right at home on a busy holiday weekend, especially when you want something hearty without hovering over the stove. Inspired by simple Depression Era-style cooking, this recipe leans on affordable pantry staples and a sausage ring to turn just a few ingredients into a warm, smoky pot of beans that can feed a crowd with very little effort.

Serve these beans with grilled burgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, potato salad, coleslaw, or a simple green salad for an easy Labor Day spread. They also work well with cornbread, pickles, and sliced onions on the side, and leftovers are great spooned over toast or baked potatoes the next day.

Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Depression Era Labor Day Beans

Servings: 8

Finished slow cooker baked beans with sliced beef sausage in a serving bowl

Ingredients

2 cans (28 ounces each) generic baked beans
1 frozen raw beef sausage ring, about 12 to 14 ounces
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup brown sugar

Baked beans, beef sausage ring, sliced onion, and brown sugar on a counter

Directions

1. Lightly coat the inside of a slow cooker with nonstick spray if desired for easier cleanup. Place the frozen raw beef sausage ring in the bottom of the slow cooker.

Frozen beef sausage ring placed in the bottom of a slow cooker

2. Scatter the sliced onion over and around the sausage ring, then spoon the brown sugar evenly over the top.

Sliced onion and brown sugar layered over a sausage ring in a slow cooker

3. Pour the baked beans over everything, spreading them out so the sausage is mostly covered.

Baked beans covering sausage and onions in a slow cooker

4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the sausage is fully cooked through and the onions are tender.

Cooked beans and sausage in a slow cooker after simmering

5. Carefully lift out the sausage ring, slice it into bite-size pieces, then return the pieces to the beans. Stir gently, then serve warm.

Final plated bowl of baked beans with sliced sausage and cookout sides

Variations & Tips

Add a little tang: Stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of yellow mustard or apple cider vinegar near the end of cooking if you like a sharper, barbecue-style flavor.

Make it sweeter: If you grew up with sweeter baked beans, add a couple tablespoons of maple syrup or extra brown sugar. Taste before serving so the beans do not become overly sweet.

Bulk it up: For a larger gathering, add an extra can of baked beans and another spoonful of brown sugar. If your slow cooker runs small, make sure not to overfill it.

Use safe cooking practice: For best food safety, thaw the sausage in the refrigerator before slow cooking, or use a fully thawed sausage ring so it heats evenly and reaches a safe internal temperature. Check that the sausage is fully cooked before slicing and serving.

Prep ahead: Slice the onion the night before and keep it refrigerated in a sealed container. In the morning, you can assemble everything in just a couple of minutes, which is especially handy before a busy holiday outing.