It doesn’t get easier than this tasty and easy side dish: slow cooker green beans go well with any main dish, any time of the year.
If a vegetable were like baking, I’d say green beans are all-purpose! For one thing, they come in different forms almost all year, and for another, they go with almost any meal.
I can almost hear the lovely “snap” or crunch of fresh green beans before they are cooked. You can eat them cold with salads, bake them in casseroles, sauté them in stir-fries, or, my personal favorite, put them in the slow cooker to add flavor!
To make a simple holiday side dish or a quick vegetable for lasagna during the week, slow cooker green beans are a great choice.
Cooking green beans in a crockpot is a hands-off, fuss-free way to prepare this healthy veggie. The low, slow cooking tenderizes the beans while still maintaining a nice crisp texture. But how long should you cook green beans in a crockpot? Read on for tips on cook times and techniques for delicious crockpot green beans.
Benefits of Cooking Green Beans in a Crockpot
Using a crockpot to cook green beans offers several advantages:
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Hands-off cooking – Just add ingredients and turn on No need to monitor closely
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Tender, evenly cooked beans – The indirect, moist heat tenderizes without overcooking.
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Concentrated flavor – Long cook times allow flavors to meld beautifully.
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Easy additions – Easily mix in herbs, spices, broth, garlic, etc
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Keeps beans hot – Perfect for potlucks, parties or holiday meals.
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Frees up oven space – Allows you to use the oven for other dishes.
Factors Affecting Cook Time
Several factors impact how long to cook green beans in a crockpot:
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Quantity of beans – Larger quantities require longer cook times.
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Size of beans – Slender beans cook faster than thick, mature beans.
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Power level – Lower heat = longer cook times. High = shorter times.
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Liquid added – The more broth, water, etc. the shorter the time.
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Crockpot type – Older, cheaper models cook slower than modern versions.
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Beans from frozen – Frozen beans take longer than fresh.
Prep Steps for Crockpot Green Beans
Proper prep is key for evenly cooked crockpot beans:
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Wash and trim ends from beans. Leave whole or cut into 2-3 inch pieces.
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Add 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cup broth, water or sauce to help create steam.
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Season beans with salt, pepper, garlic, onions, herbs as desired.
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Place beans in crockpot and stir to evenly coat with seasonings.
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Cook on low for longer, tender beans or high for faster cook time.
How Long to Cook Green Beans on Low
Here are the approximate crockpot cook times on low:
- 1 lb fresh green beans: 5-6 hours
- 2 lbs fresh green beans: 6-8 hours
- 3 lbs fresh green beans: 8-10 hours
Check beans after minimum cook time for desired tenderness. Cook longer if needed.
How Long to Cook Green Beans on High
On the high setting, cook times are reduced:
- 1 lb fresh green beans: 3-4 hours
- 2 lbs fresh green beans: 4-5 hours
- 3 lbs fresh green beans: 5-6 hours
Check frequently as beans can overcook on high if cooking too long.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfect crockpot green beans:
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Wash and trim ends from 2 lbs fresh green beans. Leave whole or halve.
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Place beans in 4-6 quart crockpot. Add 1⁄2 cup chicken broth.
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Season with 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp salt, 1⁄4 tsp pepper.
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Stir to coat evenly. Cook on low 6-8 hours.
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Once tender, stir in 1 Tbsp olive oil or butter, if desired.
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Serve green beans warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Adjust cook time based on quantity of beans and desired tenderness.
Tips for Best Crockpot Green Beans
Follow these tips for delicious crockpot green beans every time:
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Choose young, slender beans for best results. Avoid mature thick beans.
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Cut beans into 2-3 inch pieces for shorter cook time. Leave whole for max tenderness.
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Add broccoli, potatoes, carrots for a mixed veggie side dish.
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Garnish with toasted nuts, lemon juice or fresh herbs before serving.
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For flavor, sauté onions and garlic before adding to crockpot.
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Add a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to brighten flavor.
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Undercook beans slightly for optimum texture.
Common Crockpot Mistakes to Avoid
It’s easy to over or undercook beans in the crockpot. Here are some mistakes to avoid:
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Not adding any liquid leads to uneven cooking. Beans need moisture to steam.
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Adding too much liquid results in mushy, waterlogged green beans.
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Packing beans too tightly prevents proper heat circulation.
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Cooking on high heat too long leads to mushy beans. Use low setting.
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Not seasoning beans means they can be bland. Always add seasoning.
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Putting frozen beans in crockpot throws off cook times. Always thaw first.
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Neglecting to stir beans periodically results in uneven doneness.
Storing and Reheating Crockpot Beans
Here are some storage and reheating tips:
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Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 5 days.
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Reheat gently in the microwave with a splash of water or broth to add moisture.
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Beans can also be reheated on the stovetop over low heat with olive oil or butter.
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Avoid reheating more than once for food safety and quality.
Now you know exactly how long to cook green beans to tender perfection in the crockpot! Enjoy this hands-off, fuss-free veggie side dish anytime.
Slow Cooker Green Bean Ingredients
Green Beans: You could try different kinds of green beans for your slow cooker dish depending on what you can find nearby. There are many kinds of green beans that can be used in this recipe. They can be called Romano or flat beans, French or Haricots Verts, string beans or snap beans. Any kind will work.
Bacon—or should we say, “the real crowd-pleaser”? Bacon can make almost any vegetable dish taste great, but green beans are the best ones to soak up all that flavor. For easy prep, cook your slices ahead of time (and save some extra for snacking) and put them in the fridge.
Onion – A little bit elevates the flavor a long way!
Butter—Because, really, what are green beans without butter? You could use the same amount of extra virgin olive oil instead, but if you don’t care about calories, enjoy the butter!
Add some salt and lemon pepper to the vegetables to make them taste better. The lemon pepper will give them a slightly sour taste.
Chicken Broth—The chicken broth makes the slow-cooker flavor more hearty and savory, and it will flavor the beans as they cook. You could use vegetable broth or water instead of the bacon if you wanted to make this side dish without meat.
How To Cook Green Beans In The Slow Cooker
To prep your slow cooker green beans, wash and drain with a colander. Sort through and remove any blemished or browned beans.
Next, trim off the ends. Tip: For this step, you can use kitchen scissors or just cut the beans into a single slice with a cutting board and knife.
You may have heard the phrase “snap the beans” before cooking. This simply means removing the end for flavor purposes and allowing them to be evenly cooked through. Technically, all parts of the bean (except the stem attaching it to the vine) are edible.
Next, chop your pre-cooked slices of bacon into small, bite-sized pieces. Finely dice the onion for even cooking.
Lay out the green beans in a single layer on the slow cooker dish. Then, sprinkle the bacon over the beans.
Toss in the butter, salt and lemon pepper seasoning, and pour the chicken broth into the mix. (You may prefer to add additional seasonings such as a bit of crushed red pepper or garlic powder. ).
Crock Pot Green Beans
FAQ
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