how long to heat canned green beans in a crockpot

How Long To Heat Canned Green Beans In A Crockpot? The Complete Guide

Canned green beans are a pantry staple that can be transformed into a quick, delicious side dish by heating them up in a crockpot. But how long should you cook canned green beans in a crockpot to get perfect results? This complete guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from preparation to cooking times to flavor ideas.

Choosing The Right Canned Green Beans

When selecting your canned green beans opt for a brand without any added flavors or seasonings. This will allow you to control the flavors yourself. You can find plain canned green beans in most grocery stores, often sold under store brands or national brands like Del Monte or Green Giant.

Look for cans labeled “cut” green beans rather than “French-style” whole beans. The cut green beans will cook more evenly in the crockpot. Canned green beans are pre-cooked, so focus more on finding a brand you like the texture of rather than worrying about cook times.

A 14.5 to 15 oz can of cut green beans will make about 3 to 4 servings as a side dish. Buy accordingly depending on if you’re cooking for just yourself or for a family.

Preparing The Green Beans For The Crockpot

Before adding them to the crockpot, you’ll want to drain and rinse the canned green beans. Pour the beans into a colander and rinse thoroughly with cool water. This removes some of the salty canning liquid.

Give the colander a few good shakes to remove excess moisture before adding the green beans to your slow cooker. Adding too much liquid may cause the beans to cook down into mush.

If you want to add extra flavor you can toss the drained green beans with seasoning before putting them in the crock. Garlic powder, onion powder salt, and pepper are simple options. Herbs like thyme, rosemary, or dill also pair well with green beans.

How Long To Cook Canned Green Beans On Low

Canned green beans only need a brief heating time to warm all the way through while keeping their texture.

• 2 to 3 hours on LOW

This shorter cooking time prevents them from becoming mushy or overcooked. The low, gentle heat allows them to warm through without over-softening the beans.

Stir the beans once halfway through if possible to promote even heating. Keep the lid securely on your slow cooker to hold in moisture.

How Long To Cook Canned Green Beans On High

If you’re pressed for time, canned green beans can be quickly heated on the HIGH setting.

• 1 to 1 1/2 hours on HIGH

Stirring once halfway through again helps ensure even cooking. Because of the higher heat, check the beans early and often to avoid overcooking on accident.

Additional Tips For Heating Canned Green Beans

• Add flavorful ingredients: Make your beans more exciting by cooking crumbled bacon or minced garlic right in the crockpot. Onion and mushrooms are other good add-ins.

• Use broth for extra flavor: For more complexity, substitute chicken or vegetable broth for some of the water when heating up the beans.

• Toss with butter after: Stir in a tablespoon or two of butter after cooking for richer flavor. Sprinkle with extra seasonings like lemon pepper.

• Make a green bean casserole: Mix beans with cream of mushroom soup and top with fried onions for a simple casserole.

• Pair with smoked meat: Smoked turkey, ham, or sausage complements the flavor of heated green beans nicely for an easy meal.

• Bake instead: You can also bake canned green beans in the oven at 350°F for about 15 to 20 minutes to quickly heat them through.

Flavorful Crockpot Canned Green Bean Recipes To Try

Take your canned green beans from boring to beautiful by cooking up one of these tasty crockpot bean recipes.

1. Cheesy Crockpot Green Beans

Ingredients:

• 3 15oz cans cut green beans, drained and rinsed
• 10 oz can condensed cheddar cheese soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 tsp each garlic powder, salt, pepper
• 1 cup French fried onions

Instructions:

1. Combine drained green beans, condensed soup, milk, and seasonings in crockpot.

2. Cook on LOW 2 to 3 hours.

3. Top with crunchy fried onions just before serving.

4. Bacon Ranch Crockpot Green Beans

Ingredients:

• 6 slices bacon, diced
• 3 15oz cans cut green beans, drained
• 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
• 1/4 cup water

Instructions:

1. Cook bacon bits in skillet until crispy, 5 to 7 minutes.

2. Place green beans in crockpot and mix in ranch packet and water.

3. Cook beans on LOW 2 to 3 hours.

4. Stir in cooked bacon bits before serving.

5. Crockpot Dilly Green Beans

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs fresh green beans, ends trimmed
• 3 15oz cans cut green beans, drained
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dill

Instructions:

1. Place all ingredients in crockpot and stir to combine.
2. Cover and cook on LOW 3 to 4 hours.
3. Stir occasionally until beans reach desired tenderness.

The Takeaway

Heating up canned green beans in the crockpot makes an effortless side dish. Cook them LOW for 2 to 3 hours or HIGH for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Drain and rinse the beans first and flavor them up with mix-ins like cheese, bacon, or garlic. With the right seasonings and cooking times, canned green beans can become a tasty crowd-pleaser.