How to Make Perfect Black Beans in the Crock Pot

This is one of the easiest and tastiest ways to make black beans. Just put them in the crock pot with a few special spices. For hours, the dried beans are cooked slowly in a rich broth that has just the right amount of seasoning. Perfectly soft and tender, these are a family favorite!.

Crockpots are a busy home cook’s best friend for making flavorful easy meals with minimal effort. Using a slow cooker to make black beans is one of the easiest ways to get tender, delicious beans bursting with flavor. Follow this simple guide to learn how to make the most perfect crockpot black beans to use in all your favorite Mexican and Tex-Mex recipes.

Why Make Black Beans in the Crockpot?

Canned black beans may seem like an easy shortcut, but homemade crockpot beans take convenience to a whole new level while also delivering better taste and quality. Here are some of the benefits of making black beans in the slow cooker:

Maximum flavor – Black beans absorb seasonings and flavors from the broth over the long cooking time
Perfect texture – Slow cooking makes the beans incredibly tender. No hard beans here!
Easy prep – Just dump the ingredients in and turn on. No need to watch the pot.
Hands-off – Let the crockpot do the work You don’t have to babysit the beans
Nutritious – Control exactly what goes in. No added sodium or preservatives.
Economical – Dried beans cost a fraction of canned. Make a big batch for pennies per serving.
Versatile – Use crockpot beans as a side dish, in tacos, burritos, soups, and more.

Ingredients Needed

Part of the appeal of cooking dried beans in the crockpot is that the ingredient list couldn’t be simpler. Here’s what you’ll need:

1 pound dried black beans, rinsed and sorted
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
4-6 cups liquid (broth, water, or a combo)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
1-2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon oil or bacon fat (for flavor)
Salt and pepper to taste

That’s it! The basic ingredients let the flavors of the black beans shine. Customize them to your taste by adding extras like smoked paprika, chili powder, jalapeños, etc.

Step-By-Step Instructions

With simple ingredients and hands-off cooking, making black beans in the crockpot takes only minutes to prepare. Here’s how:

Rinse the beans and pick through for any debris. No need to soak.
Place beans, onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, and bay leaves in the crockpot.
Add broth and oil or bacon fat. Use enough liquid to cover beans by about 1 inch.
Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 5-6 until beans are tender.
Once done, remove bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper.

And that’s truly all there is to it! The long cooking time gives you tender beans infused with flavors.

Choosing the Right Beans

Any dried black bean will work well, but heirloom varieties like black calypso beans have an exceptionally rich, earthy taste when cooked. Most grocers carry dried black beans. For best results:

Choose beans that are uniform in size with an even color.
Avoid beans with many split or cracked beans which can turn mushy when cooked.
Store dried beans in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. They will keep for up to a year.
Plan to use 1 cup dried beans for every 2-3 cups cooked beans. They expand!

Flavor Variations

The basic recipe makes tasty beans, but you can add different seasonings for new flavors. Try:

Smoked paprika, cayenne, and cilantro for a southwestern kick
Lime juice, garlic, and cumin for bright citrus flavor
Beer or coffee instead of some broth for richer flavor
Chili powder, diced jalapeño, and hot sauce for spicy beans
Mashed avocado and lime juice stirred in for creaminess

Flavor the broth with chicken stock, ham hocks, bacon ends, or bouillon for a meaty taste. The possibilities are endless!

Tips for Perfect Crockpot Beans

Don’t peek! Lifting the lid extends cooking time.
Make sure beans are covered in liquid to cook evenly.
Add any acidic ingredients like tomato, lime juice at the end.
Salt too early prevents beans from softening fully. Season at the end.
Undercooked beans can cause digestive issues. Make sure they become very soft.
Cook on low for maximum flavor infusion or high when short on time.

Serving and Storing Crockpot Black Beans

Hot crockpot black beans are ready to serve as a side dish or use as an ingredient in tacos, burritos, nachos, soups, and more. Here are some easy ways to use them up:

Bean and Rice Burritos – Fill a tortilla with black beans, Mexican rice, salsa, and cheese.
Black Bean Vegetable Soup – Puree 2 cups cooked beans with broth. Add garlic, veggies, and seasonings.
Nachos – Top tortilla chips with black beans, shredded cheese, jalapeños, pico de gallo, and avocado.
Breakfast Tacos – Warm flour tortillas and fill with scrambled eggs, black beans, cheese, and salsa.

Freeze any leftover beans in meal-sized portions to heat and serve later. They’ll keep frozen for up to 6 months. Reheat frozen beans on the stovetop or microwave.

Why Black Beans Should Be Your New Go-To

Canned beans may be convenient, but homemade crockpot black beans take minimal effort while delivering maximum flavor. They make a nutritious, protein-packed addition to so many dishes. Fix a big batch on your next day off and use them all week long in tacos, burritos, nachos, soups, and more. You’ll never see the canned stuff in your pantry again!

how to make black beans in a crock pot

Serve as a side dish with:

Try serving black beans as a side with these main dishes:

Black Beans – The EASY Way!

Black beans are one of my all time most used ingredients. For many years, I would take them out of the can and use them as a side dish or in a recipe. And I still do this when I am pinched for time.

But the difference is now I KNOW there is a better way!

When you cook dried black beans in the crock pot, they get a lot more flavor from the broth, seasonings, and vegetables you add. A can of black beans just can’t compare.

You might think that cooking dried beans is fancy or old-fashioned, but I promise you that it’s actually the EASIEST thing in the world!

HOW TO MAKE BLACK BEANS PERFECT EVERY TIME | Slow Cooker Black Beans | Stacey Flowers

FAQ

How long does it take to cook beans in the crock pot?

Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours: Cover the pot and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. If this is your first time cooking beans or you’re cooking an unfamiliar kind of bean, begin checking the beans after 5 hours and then every 30 minutes until they are cooked to your liking. Beans generally finish cooking in 6 to 8 hours.

Do black beans have to be soaked before cooking?

You can cook black beans with or without soaking, but keep in mind that soaking beans ensures they’ll cook faster and more evenly. It can also make them easier to digest by reducing some of the gas-producing indigestible carbohydrates, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Is it safe to slow cook black beans?

I am a big fan of slow cooker black beans. It might take 8 hours to make. But it’s an entirely hands off version of cooking beans that doesn’t mean that you have to soak them overnight or watch a pot slowly simmer for hours! This will give you a more evenly cooked bean that is softer.

Is it better to cook beans on low or high?

Cook low and slow—patience is key. To cook on the stove, bring the pot of beans (soaked or unsoaked, with olive oil, salt, and any seasonings plus 2 to 3 inches of liquid covering them) to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat so that your beans are barely but steadily simmering and cover with the lid.

Can you cook dried black beans in a crock pot?

You sure can, especially when cooking dried beans. In fact, this crock pot black beans recipe makes it super easy to cook them without the fear of overcooking, undercooking, or ending up with flavorless cooked beans. Not to mention, the taste between canned black beans and dried, cooked black beans is noticeably different.

Can eating black beans cause weight gain?

If you have a balanced and diverse diet and practice regular physical activity, black beans will not cause you weight gain. You should eat them inside a healthy diet.

How do you cook black beans in a slow cooker?

Place the beans in a slow cooker with the onion, garlic, broth, cumin, oregano, bay leaves, and vegetable oil. Cook on high for 5-6 hours. 30 minutes before you are done cooking, remove the lid and add the apple cider vinegar and stir, then return to finish cooking. Once done, the beans should be soft.

Are Crock Pot Black beans good?

These Crock Pot Black Beans are easy, flavorful and delicious! It is the perfect compliment to your Mexican-Inspired feast! Looking for more recipes? Our Recipe Finder can help you find exactly what you need. Check out all our favorite recommendations for cookbooks, slow cookers and low carb essentials in our Amazon Influencer Shop.