How Long Does It Take to Cook Beans in a Slow Cooker?

Cooking beans in a slow cooker is one of the easiest ways to prepare them The low, steady heat gently breaks down the beans until they are perfectly tender But a common question is – just how long does it actually take to cook beans in a slow cooker?

The cooking time can range quite a bit based on a few key factors. With an understanding of what impacts the cook time, you can easily adapt any bean recipe for the slow cooker.

Factors That Impact Cook Time

Several key factors determine how quickly beans cook in a slow cooker

Type of Bean – Smaller beans like lentils and split peas cook faster than larger beans like chickpeas and kidney beans. Very large beans like soybeans can take the longest.

Soaking Time – Beans that are soaked overnight before cooking tenderize much more quickly. Unsoaked beans can take nearly twice as long.

Water Content – More water in the pot means the beans cook faster. Recipes with lots of thick ingredients like meat and veggies require longer cook times.

Temperature Setting – Beans cook significantly faster on high vs low. High averages 300°F while low stays around 200°F.

Age of Beans – Older, dried out beans take longer to rehydrate and soften. Buy beans from markets with good turnover for best results.

Slow Cooker Itself – Some models run slightly hotter or cooler than others, impacting total cook time.

By understanding how these factors impact bean cooking, you can better plan recipes to suit your schedule and preferences.

General Time Guidelines

To provide a rough estimate, here are the average cook times for common beans in a slow cooker:

• Split peas, lentils – 1 to 3 hours on high

• Black beans, pinto beans, white beans – 3 to 4 hours on high, 6 to 8 hours on low

• Chickpeas, kidney beans – 4 to 6 hours on high, 8 to 10 hours on low

• Soybeans, fava beans – 6 to 8 hours on high, 10 to 12 hours on low

For all bean types, presoaking reduces these cook times by about 30 to 50%. If adding lots of veggies, meats, or liquids, tack on up to 2 additional hours.

These time ranges provide a general guideline. However, the timing can vary based on the individual slow cooker model. Get to know your appliance and adjust cook times accordingly for perfect beans every time.

Tips for Cooking Beans in a Slow Cooker

To ensure tender, flavorful beans using a slow cooker, keep these tips in mind:

• Presoak beans in water overnight prior to cooking for 30-50% faster cooking.

• Add spices, herbs, garlic, and aromatics right to the slow cooker for flavor infusion.

• Cook beans in broth instead of water for enhanced taste.

• Make sure beans are fully submerged in liquid during cooking. Add more liquid as needed.

• Stir in tomatoes, citrus juice, or vinegar at the end to brighten flavor.

• Use the high setting for quicker cooking or when time is limited.

• Check doneness after the minimum cook time to avoid overcooking beans.

• Let beans rest 10-15 minutes after cooking for easiest serving.

Follow these guidelines, and you will be able to adapt all of your favorite bean dishes to make perfectly tender, flavor-packed beans in the slow cooker.

Sample Slow Cooker Bean Recipes and Cooking Times

To give a better idea of actual total cook times, here are some classic bean dishes with approximate cooking times:

Slow Cooker Chili

Prep time: 15 min

Cook time: 6-8 hrs on low, 4 hrs on high

Soak overnight: No

Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup

Prep time: 10 min

Cook time: 8 hrs on low, 4 hrs on high

Soak overnight: Yes

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

Prep time: 20 min

Cook time: 6 hrs on low, 3 hrs on high

Soak overnight: No

Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice

Prep time: 10 min

Cook time: 10-12 hrs on low, 6-8 hrs on high

Soak overnight: Yes

Slow Cooker Boston Baked Beans

Prep time: 10 min

Cook time: 9-10 hrs on low, 5-6 hrs on high

Soak overnight: No

These examples help provide a realistic expectation of the total time investment when making bean dishes in the slow cooker.

Tips for Avoiding Undercooked or Overcooked Beans

To ensure your beans come out perfectly cooked, not underdone or mushy:

For undercooked beans:

• Check beans at the minimum cook time, not later.

• Increase cook time for larger beans like chickpeas or unsoaked beans.

• Make sure beans are fully submerged in cooking liquid.

• Switch to high if worried beans aren’t cooking through.

For overcooked, mushy beans:

• Don’t cook beans longer than the maximum time range.

• Check earlier for softness if cooking soaked or quick-cooking beans.

• Avoid stirring beans once they are fully tender.

• Allow beans to rest 10-15 minutes before serving.

With a little trial and error, you’ll become expert at tweaking cook times in your slow cooker for tender beans every time.

Freezing Leftover Slow Cooker Beans

Like cooking beans from scratch, leftover beans freeze very well for future use. Here are some tips:

• Let beans cool completely before freezing. Transfer to airtight containers or freezer bags.

• Label containers with bean type and date. Use within 4 months for best quality.

• Freeze beans in cooking liquid to help prevent freezing damage and keep moisture.

• Thaw beans overnight in the fridge before reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave.

With a batch of beans in the freezer, you’ll always have a quick protein base ready for tacos, bowls, dips and more!

The Benefits of Cooking Beans in a Slow Cooker

Cooking beans in a slow cooker offers many advantages:

Convenience – Simply add ingredients and let the slow cooker do the work! No need to watch a simmering pot.

Flavor – Spices and aromatics infuse into the beans as they slowly cook.

Texture – The gentle heat makes beans incredibly tender but not blown out.

Budget – Dried beans cooked from scratch are far cheaper than canned options.

Nutrition – Cooking at low temp preserves more vitamins and minerals than stovetop.

Versatility – Cooked beans can be used in a wide range of sweet and savory dishes.

For ease, nutrition and delicious results, cooking beans in a slow cooker is hard to beat!

The next time a recipe calls for cooked beans, consider making them from scratch in the slow cooker. With the guidelines provided here, you’ll be able to adapt any bean recipe to let the slow cooker work its magic. Soon you’ll have tender, flavorful beans ready for any dish imaginable. Happy slow cooking!