Can You Slow Cook Beans Without Soaking? The Simple Trick to Perfect Beans

Find out everything you need to know about How to Cook Dried Beans in a CrockPot or Slow Cooker! I tried cooking beans that had been soaked and beans that had not been soaked. This post has everything you need to know to make perfect slow cooker beans.

It’s important to know how to cook dried beans in a crockpot slow cooker because this post explains why I believe it’s worth the time and effort to make your own beans from scratch. It also shows you how to easily cook dried beans in a slow cooker and discusses the differences in cooking times and outcomes between soaking and not soaking beans. This post has all the information you need to make perfect slow cooker beans.

After you learn how easy it is to cook dried beans in a slow cooker, you won’t want to buy canned beans again. Instead of buying canned beans, I think you should cook up a bunch of dried beans to store in the freezer. You’ll save money, and the beans you cook yourself will taste a lot better!.

Beans are a pantry staple valued for their versatility, nutrition, and budget-friendly price. Dried beans in particular provide an affordable way to incorporate more plant-based protein into your diet. However, most bean recipes call for soaking the beans overnight before cooking. Is this soaking step absolutely necessary if you want to prepare beans in a slow cooker? Let’s take a look at the reasons behind soaking and whether there are ways to skip it and still end up with tender, flavorful beans using a slow cooker.

The Purpose of Soaking Beans

Soaking beans is traditionally recommended because it shortens the cooking time. Dried beans have a tough outer skin and dense internal structure. Water can penetrate the beans more quickly when they are soaked beginning the hydration process. This reduces the total stovetop cooking time. Soaked beans only need to simmer for 1-2 hours, versus 3-4 hours for unsoaked beans.

Soaking is thought to also make beans more digestible by starting to break down the complex sugars that can cause gas However, studies show soaking doesn’t eliminate these sugars The time in the slow cooker will be what makes beans easier to digest, not the presoak.

Skipping the Soak in a Slow Cooker

When using a slow cooker, the extended cook time makes presoaking beans far less critical. Even without any presoaking, beans will become tender and saturated with liquid over 6-8 hours on low or 4-6 hours on high.

The key is using enough cooking liquid to allow those beans to fully hydrate and soften. Cover dried beans with at least 1-2 inches of water or broth in the slow cooker so they have sufficient moisture. Stir in any aromatics like onion, garlic, pepper, etc. for flavor.

Benefits of Cooking Beans Unsoaked

Besides saving time cooking unsoaked beans in the slow cooker offers some advantages

More flavor infusion: Beans absorb liquid as they cook. Skipping the presoak allows them to soak up flavorful broth or seasoned water versus plain water.
Better texture: Unsoaked beans tend to hold their shape better, with less bursting or breaking down. This can give a nicer appearance and texture.
Lower sodium: No need to salt a presoak water, allowing more control over sodium levels.
Shorter total time: Wait times are reduced by 8-12 hours without an overnight presoak.

Tips for Cooking Unsoaked Beans

Follow these tips when cooking unsoaked beans in a slow cooker:

Drain and rinse beans to remove any dirt or debris. Pick through for any stones.
Use a ratio of roughly 3-4 cups liquid to 1 cup dried beans. The beans will absorb a lot of the liquid.
Layer beans, aromatics, and seasonings – don’t stir initially to prevent bursting.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-6 until beans are fork tender.
If beans aren’t soft enough, simmer 15-30 minutes on the stovetop after slow cooking.
Season with salt, herbs, etc. at the end since beans absorb liquid during slow cooking.

Sample Slow Cooker Bean Recipes Without Soaking

Many types of bean dishes adapt well to the unsoaked slow cooker method. Try out some of these tasty options:

Slow Cooker Cuban Black Beans

Simmer black beans with bell pepper, onions, garlic, and Cuban seasoning for a flavorful side dish. Garnish with lime and cilantro.

BBQ Baked Beans

You can skip the overnight soak for these sweet and smoky baked beans with bacon, brown sugar, ketchup, and spices.

Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice

Make this New Orleans classic with kidney beans, onion, celery, bell pepper, ham, and Cajun seasoning.

Slow Cooker Chickpea Tikka Masala

Chickpeas cook up perfectly unsoaked. Add them to this flavorful, creamy Indian dish.

Slow Cooker White Bean and Kale Soup

Cannellini beans pair with kale, garlic, and chicken or vegetable broth for a healthy soup.

The Verdict on Soaking Beans

While soaking beans before cooking is standard advice, it can be eliminated when using a slow cooker. Allowing beans to cook low and slow all day gives them time to become perfectly tender without needing an overnight presoak. Just make sure to use enough liquid and cook times are adjusted. Skipping the soak cuts down prep time while allowing more control over seasoning. Next time a recipe calls for soaking beans, consider the ease of simply tossing them unsoaked into the slow cooker instead for hassle-free bean dishes.

can i slow cook beans without soaking

How to Cook Dried Beans in a Crockpot or Slow Cooker

This post compares how well soaked and unsoaked dried beans cook in a CrockPot or Slow Cooker and gives a lot of ideas for what to do with the cooked beans.

2 cups dried beans
4 cups water, or more
salt for seasoning cooked beans, optional

HOW TO SOAK AND COOK DRIED BEANS IN THE SLOW COOKER:

Look over the dry beans and throw away any that look broken or shriveled.
Set the slow cooker to low and add 2 cups of dried beans. Cover them with enough cold water to cover them by a few inches. Let them soak overnight.
The next day, take the beans out of the water and throw it away.
Put the beans that have been soaked back into the slow cooker. Add enough water to cover the beans by 2 inches.
Set the cooker to HIGH and cook the beans until they are soft and fully cooked. Soaked beans will take about 3–4 hours. (You can also cook the beans on low for about twice as long.) ) Drain beans. (You can save the cooking water if you want to, but I don’t because it has carbs that your body can’t digest, which is what gives beans gas. ) .
About 6 cups of cooked beans can be made from 2 cups of dried beans that have been soaked.
As long as the lid fits tightly on the container, you can freeze the beans for several months before you use them.

HOW TO COOK UNSOAKED BEANS IN THE SLOW COOKER:

Look over the dry beans and throw away any that look broken or shriveled.
Add enough water to cover the beans by 2 inches and put them in the slow cooker.
Cook the beans on HIGH for about 5 to 6 hours, or until they are soft and cooked all the way through if you haven’t soaked them first. (You can also cook the beans on low, but it will take about twice as long.) ) .
Drain beans. (You can save the cooking water if you want to, but I don’t because it has carbs that your body can’t digest, which is what gives beans gas. ) .
Two cups of dried beans that haven’t been soaked will make six cups of cooked beans.
As long as the lid fits tightly on the container, you can freeze the beans for several months before you use them.

Nutritional information is for one cup of cooked beans.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated by the Recipe Plug-In I am using. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, since many variables affect those calculations.

Which Beans Did I Prefer?

I couldn’t really tell any difference in the flavor or texture of the soaked vs. unsoaked beans. Both methods produced about 6 cups of cooked beans from 2 cups of dried beans. I froze my beans in 2 cup containers to use in recipes.

This recipe is now in a new section called Weekend Food Prep. This is where you can find recipes that you can cook or prepare on the weekend and then eat during the week!

can i slow cook beans without soaking

How to Make Dried Beans in the Instant Pot: NO SOAKING REQUIRED!!! This is the EASIEST Recipe!

FAQ

Can you slow cook beans without soaking them?

If it’s a dried bean, you can cook them this way, without soaking. Just take your favorite bean and picture it in the photos of this recipe because it will work. So lets get started. You’ll need: Slow Cooker, beans, salt, pepper, water, and preferably a ham bone smoked turkey leg to season it with.

What happens if you cook beans without soaking?

Modern cooking websites often say it doesn’t matter. In a way, they’re both right. Soaking beans can help improve the texture of the final product once the beans are cooked and reduce the gas produced when the food is being digested. But it isn’t necessary to soak them.

Can you put raw beans in a slow cooker?

But research now suggests that one tough ingredient shouldn’t be cooked in the slow cooker at all — beans. All beans contain a compound called “phytohaemagglutinin,” also called PHA, or kidney bean lectin. Lectin is a type of protein that performs many functions in both plants and animals.

How long does it take to cook unsoaked beans?

Reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently until beans are tender but firm. Most beans will cook in 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on the variety. Periodically, try a taste test or mash a bean against the side of the pot with a fork or spoon. Check occasionally if you need to add more water.

Can you skip soaking beans over night?

But, then I learned something astonishing: You can actually skip soaking beans over night, and actually you should. Not only does it shorten the amount of time until you have ready-to-eat beans, it also produces a more flavorful end result. What Is the Point of Soaking Beans, Anyway?

Can one survive on beans alone?

It is not possible to live eating only one food. The human body needs nutrients that are not present in beans, therefore, if someone consumes only beans to survive, they will suffer consequences such as nutritional deficiency that will trigger problems and diseases that can and will certainly lead to death over time.

Can you cook beans in a slow cooker?

You can skip this step but for the best flavor, don’t. Place the beans in the slow cooker and add sauteed mixture. Season with salt, pepper and cumin. Pour in chicken broth and stir gently. Cook on high for 8 to 9 hours or until the beans are tender.

Can you cook pinto beans without soaking?

One of the secrets to cooking pinto beans without soaking is to give them a quick boil. In a large pot, cover your rinsed pinto beans with water, ensuring they are fully submerged. Bring the water to a rapid boil for about 10 minutes. After the quick boil, it’s time to add flavor to your pinto beans.