Slow-Cooked Homemade Baked Beans

I like making baked beans from dried beans because they are not as mushy as canned baked beans. I found this recipe on a package of Publix dried navy beans. I make it as written on the package, but I add a few extra slices of bacon, 3 ounces of tomato paste, and 1 teaspoon vinegar. The "cooking" time does not include the time for soaking the beans.

• Ready In: 10 hrs 25 mins
• Serves: 10-15

Ingredients

• 6  slices smoked bacon
• 16  ounces dried navy beans
• 1 1⁄2 cups ketchup
• 1 1⁄2 cups water
• 1⁄4 cup molasses
• 1  cup  firmly packed brown sugar
• 1  cup  diced onion
• 1  tablespoon dry mustard
• 1  tablespoon salt

Directions

1. QUICK SOAK: Place 16 ounces of dried beans in a large saucepan with 6-8 cups of water. Cover and let stand overnight or at least 6-8 hours. Drain and rinse beans (discard soak water).
2. OVERNIGHT SOAK: Place 16 ounces of dried beans in a large saucepan with 6-8 cups water. Cover and let stand overnight or at least 6-8 hours. Drain and rinse beans (discard soak water).
3. TO COOK BEANS: Add 6 cups fresh water to the beans after soaking. Cover and bring just to boiling on medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently with lid tilted, about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally, or until desired tenderness. Stir gently and very little to prevent breaking of skins; add water, if needed, during cook time. Makes about 6 cups of cooked beans.
4. TO MAKE BAKED BEANS: Cut bacon into 1-inch pieces. Combine with remaining ingredients in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours. Stir occasionally, if possible. Makes about 10 cups of baked beans. Note: the number of servings below depends on how many other side dishes there are.