Burnt End Beans

Ingrediënten

# Healthy Slow Cooker Burnt End Beans

A healthy, low-sugar copycat version of the smoky burnt end baked beans from The Banded Rooster. This recipe replaces refined sugars and heavy fats with lean protein, warm spices, and natural sweeteners.

## Ingredients

### The Base

* 2 cups dry pinto beans (soaked overnight and drained)

* 1 medium yellow onion, diced

* 3 cloves garlic, minced

### The Lean "Burnt Ends"

* 1 lb lean beef stew meat, cubed into 1/2-inch pieces

* 1 tsp garlic powder

* 1 tsp onion powder

* 1/2 tsp sea salt

* 1/2 tsp black pepper

### The Smoky BBQ Sauce

* 2 cups low-sodium beef stock

* 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste

* 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar

* 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

* 1 tbsp liquid smoke

* 2 tbsp real maple syrup or raw honey

* 1 tbsp smoked paprika

* 1/2 tsp ground cumin

## Instructions

1. **Char the Meat:** Toss the cubed beef stew meat with the garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Heat a heavy skillet over high heat with a light spray of olive oil. Sear the meat quickly for 2–3 minutes per side until deeply browned and charred on the edges. Remove from heat.

2. **Build the Sauce:** In the bottom of your slow cooker, whisk together the beef stock, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, maple syrup (or honey), smoked paprika, and ground cumin until completely smooth.

3. **Combine:** Add the diced raw onion, minced garlic, soaked and drained pinto beans, and the seared meat into the slow cooker. Stir well to coat everything in the sauce.

4. **Slow Cook:** Cover and cook on **LOW for 7 to 8 hours** (or HIGH for 4 to 5 hours) until the beans are completely tender and creamy.

5. **Thicken:** Prop the slow cooker lid slightly open during the final 30 minutes of cooking. This allows the steam to escape and thickens the sauce into a rich, sticky BBQ glaze.