The Slow Cooker Cuban Black Beans Recipe is a tasty and flexible main dish that can be served with rice or as a side dish. Super simple preparation and then the crockpot takes over.
There are a lot of recipes for beans made from scratch on my blog. That’s why I chose to make it really simple this time. Like Perfect Barbecue Baked Beans or Slow Cooker Navy Bean Soup.
This time the recipe is from canned beans. It’s very convenient to be able to put some things in the slow cooker and leave them there. Busy people need a break.
Sometimes you just dont want to deal with a huge batch either. I know you can freeze them but sometimes the freezer is full! Like right now at my house.
Or the freezer containers are all used up. Like right now at my house. I really try to stay on top of that, but lately with all the extra food, I’ve lost track of everything.
Canned beans are a convenient kitchen staple perfect for tossing into a slow cooker or crockpot. The low, slow cooking brings out their flavor and makes them melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Cooking beans from their dried form can take hours. But starting with canned eliminates that tedious prep work. You can have a nutritious, protein-packed meal with minimal effort
If you’re wondering how to use canned beans in the crockpot, read on. We’ve gathered 10 ridiculously easy and delicious crockpot bean recipes to inspire you.
1. Classic Slow Cooker Baked Beans
What’s more classic than a hearty pot of baked beans? This simple recipe transforms canned beans into a sweet, smoky and saucy side dish.
Onion, mustard and brown sugar give the sauce complexity. Just stir everything together in the crockpot and let it cook for 8-10 hours until thickened and flavorful. The low heat allows the beans to absorb all the delicious flavors.
2. Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
White chicken chili made with creamy cannellini or great northern beans is comfort in a bowl. Toss everything in the crockpot and come home to dinner ready and waiting.
The chili gets outstanding flavor from sautéed onion, garlic, jalapeño and cumin. Shredded chicken is added for protein. And of course there are the smooth, buttery beans, which break down and thicken the chili as it cooks.
3. Crockpot Minestrone Soup
Minestrone is the ultimate bean and veggie packed soup. And it couldn’t be simpler to make in the crockpot. Just dump in canned beans, tomatoes, broth, pasta and frozen spinach.
Let it simmer away for 4-6 hours until the flavors meld. The result is a hearty, healthy soup the whole family will love. It freezes nicely too, so make a double batch.
4. Slow Cooker Lentil Chili
Hearty lentils and smoky chili powder give this vegetarian chili tremendous flavor. Sauteed veggies like onion, bell pepper and garlic provide the flavor base before adding tomatoes, broth and spices.
After 8-10 hours in the crockpot, the lentils become very soft and the chili takes on a thick, stew-like consistency. Top with avocado, cheddar and cilantro for a complete meal.
5. Mexican Slow Cooker Pinto Beans
No more all-day soaking and simmering to make frijoles de la olla, Mexico’s classic bean pot. Just throw everything in the crockpot and let the beans cook low and slow.
Onion, garlic, jalapeño, tomato, epazote and bacon impart incredible flavor. The beans end up soft and full flavored in their deliciously rich broth, ready to serve with tortillas.
6. Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice
Traditional New Orleans-style red beans get the crockpot treatment. Smoked sausage and Cajun seasoning add hearty flavor.
Partway through cooking, stir in white rice. The rice soaks up the rich, creamy broth as the beans and rice finish cooking together. Spoon this Cajun classic over rice for a warm, satisfying meal.
7. Crockpot Navy Bean Soup
Simple yet so satisfying, this soup lets the mild flavor of navy beans shine. Just a few aromatic ingredients like onion, carrot, celery and garlic complement the beans.
Chicken or vegetable broth provides a savory base. Ladle this creamy, stick-to-your-ribs soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Comforting and nutritious, it’s a crockpot winner.
8. Slow Cooker Black Bean Chili
Protein-packed black beans are the star of this hearty vegetarian chili. Season with cumin, coriander, oregano and chipotle for deep, smoky flavor.
Chickpeas add texture and even more plant-based protein. A hit of lime juice before serving helps brighten all the rich flavors. This nourishing meatless chili is easy to double for meal prepping.
9. Crockpot Pinto Beans with Bacon
Smoky bacon takes these pinto beans over the top. Just stir the ingredients together and let the crockpot work its magic.
Jalapeño kicks up the heat while brown sugar balances with sweetness. The beans end up super tender and permeated with the bacony flavor. They make a hearty side or topper for salads and baked potatoes.
10. Slow Cooker Refried Beans
Homemade refried beans beat the canned version any day. After cooking pinto beans with onion and garlic in the crockpot, mash them with oil and seasonings.
The smooth, creamy beans fry up with a little crunch. Serve these tasty refried beans wrapped in tortillas, heaped on nachos or alongside Mexican rice. They’re even delicious for breakfast.
With minimal hands-on time, the crockpot does the work of simmering canned beans for hours to unlock their full flavor and luscious texture. Try out some of these satisfying recipes to enjoy beans at their best.
What are Cuban Black Beans?
- From Cuba to Venezuela to Mexico and everywhere else in Latin America that is near the Caribbean Sea, people love this recipe for Cuban black beans.
- Base flavors are always in the recipe. In this case, they are garlic, onions, and jalapeño.
- Sometimes Cuban black beans are served with rice.
- They are a great side dish that can be made in larger amounts because they freeze well.
Theres no oil, sautéing or sauces to make. Everything is added to the slow cooker and turned on low. High in protein and versatile.
Black Beans are Protein Packed
- Unbelievably, a cup of black beans is 15g of protein. I repeat, 15 grams.
- Not only that, beans have lots of fiber.
- There are Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids.
- NO cholesterol or sugar.
- 11% minerals, including about 30% of your daily magnesium needs
- 7 vitamins and even more. Black Beans are good!
So . back to easy tasty beans. Sometimes my freezer gets full just from day to day living too. So this recipe is so that you can have a simple and delicious meal with no extra planning.
I dont want to put the reigns on you though. If you want more of these Cuban black beans made in a slow cooker, feel free to double the recipe. Thats easy to do too.
Let me show you a picture of the Slow Cooker Navy Bean Soup I talked about above before I talk about Cuban Black Beans.
Crock Pot BEST Baked Beans!!
FAQ
How long can canned beans be in the crockpot?
What beans Cannot be cooked in a slow cooker?
Will beans get mushy in a slow cooker?
Can you cook canned beans in their liquid?
Can you cook canned beans in a slow cooker?
These slow cooker baked beans with canned beans are a tasty dish that goes with all your favorite foods and takes just minutes to prepare. Mix together barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard in a 4-quart slow cooker until smooth. Stir in beans, bell pepper, onion, and ham until well combined. Cook on Low until thickened, 8 to 12 hours.
Are canned beans healthy?
Some canned beans are usually added with salt or other seasonings. Make sure you choose the ones that has no added salt, sugar or any other seasoning to prevent over consumption of salt in your diet.
Can you use canned kidney beans in a crock pot?
Also, they don’t typically use canned kidney beans. There is definitely a healthy dose of spice to this concoction. If you don’t like heat lingering in your mouth, turn down the spices a notch or two. Truly, this red beans and rice Crock Pot version is a great red kidney beans recipe.
How do you cook baked beans in a crock pot?
These Crock Pot Baked Beans are so easy to make and serve! Pork and Beans combined with brown sugar, mustard, BBQ sauce, onion and bacon. Mix all ingredients (except for bacon) in a 4-6 quart slow cooker. Give the mixture a good stir. Cover and cook on low for 3-5 hours. Stir the beans gently a couple of times during cooking.