Black beans are such a versatile staple to have on hand. This slow cooker home-made version is a fraction of the cost of store-bought, plus you have control of the salt content. Oh, and they are delicious! Meal prep made easy, these freezer-friendly savory beans will soon become a staple in your house.
How To Make Slow Cooker Savory Black Beans
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Throw some onions, garlic and dry beans into the slow cooker, walk away, and in 4 hours you have enough savory black beans for a fair few meals.
Plus it is cheaper than buying the canned version.
Sound good?
Read on.
I have been making homemade refried beans in the slow cooker for a long time. I luuuurve refried beans, but not all the added salt in the canned version.
I decided to give the same recipe a shot, using some black beans, to change it up - because I am a rebel like that...
I can now say I have stepped away from canned savory black beans for good!
It's now homemade Slow Cooker savory black beans or nothing.
Why Make Slow Cooker Black Beans At Home Instead of Buying From The Store?
I tend to make a lot of things from scratch that can easily be purchased from the store.
But it has to be worth it!
It is worth making slow cooker black beans at home because:
- It doesn't take much in terms of time investment. You simply add the ingredients to a slow cooker, set it and walk away.
- They only require 4 simple ingredients, so no need for a big complicated shop before you can get to work
- They work out to be a fraction of the cost of store-bought canned black beans
- They are the perfect candidate for making a big batch and storing in the freezer for future use
- You don't have any wasteful packaging to deal with
- You get to be in charge of the salt content (a lot of store-bought canned black beans come with a hefty dose of salt and require rinsing if you are sensitive to large amounts of salt)
With this huge list of benefits, why wouldn't you make your own black beans at home in the slow cooker?
(Oh and added benefit - they make the house smell pretty good too!)
How To Serve Savory Black Beans
Homemade savory black beans are super versatile, and so handy to have on hand in the fridge or freezer to bulk up meals.
Try out these suggestions for serving your homemade black beans"
- Throw them into a salad (a Mexican style salad would work really well)
- Throw them into a vegetable soup to fill it out
- Try these sweet potato and black beans burgers
- Try them in these beef and bean enchilada cups
- For a super simple meal serve with some brown rice, cilantro/coriander and avocado chunks
- Add to burritos or quesadillas
Such a versatile homemade bean to have on hand!
Happy Eating
xx
Recipe
Savory Slow Cooker Black Beans
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups dried black beans
- 1 onion peeled and quartered
- 3 cloves garlic peeled and smashed with the end of a knife
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 cups water
- 2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Rinse and sort your black beans, being sure to remove any small stones.
- Pop all of the ingredients, except the salt, into a slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4 hours (see notes). To check for doneness simply remove a bean from the slow cooker, and squeeze between two fingers. If it is soft, and crushes, the beans are ready.
- Once ready, turn off the slow cooker and stir in the salt.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Leftovers can also be frozen in smaller portion sizes and simply thawed and reheated when needed.
- Tip: keep a bit of the leftover liquid in with the beans when storing them - it stops them from drying out, especially if you plan on freezing.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
August says
I have made this myself and it is quite yummy. I have also tried adding about a teaspoon of cumin to the beans while they are cooking and it really boosts the flavor.
Good to call out adding the salt at the end! In almost all cases, if you add salt at the beginning, your beans take longer to cook and are kinda tough. Do it at the end! This is even true when you are making bean soups like pasta fagioli, lentil, etc!
Donna says
Thanks for taking the time to pop back and let us know August! I haven't made these in so long, will have to try adding come cumin to my next batch!
Meghan says
Hi! Would this short cook work on other beans as well?
Donna1 says
Hi Meghan, I actually haven't tried this with any other beans, but I can't see why it wouldn't. Be sure to pop back and let me know if it works for you 🙂
Lexi says
I've never made beans like this before. This would be good to make for taco bowls.
Jenni S. says
Black beans are one of my favorite foods-- I've never tried making them in the slow cooker before, though!
Debra says
This sounds absolutely amazing! I would love try this!
nicole says
Love beans and I think I have a slow cooker, a must try.
Bonnie @ Living a Fit and Full Life says
Yummy! I love beans!
ana says
I love me some black beans and they really are the most versatile food that you can have. Make a stew or a burrito anything goes.
Monroe says
Simple, easy breezy and tasty ... Adding to my menu
Cynthia @craftoflaughter says
I love black beans and eat them in everything. I didn't realize they were easy to make! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Becca says
I don't usually like beans. But you have me wondering if I'd like them better when they're not from a can!
Jen K says
I love black beans. I have not had them in awhile. I will need to try this!
Tanya @ Mom's Small Victories says
Yum, I love black beans and rice. I love even more that this is a slow cooker recipe! Hope you'll stop by and link up with us at Small Victories Sunday Linkup, open all week long!
Whole Food Bellies says
Oh yes I will indeed Tanya 🙂
stephanie says
okay all i have to say is looking at that big bowl of beans on day 4 of whole30 was absolutely torture. and the words you used to describe them... THEY LOOK SO TASTY!!! hahaha.
Whole Food Bellies says
Oh haha sorry Stephanie 🙂 Good luck!!
Michelle says
Yummy! Making beans can be such a pain but this seems so easy, thanks!
Whole Food Bellies says
Oh I know Michelle, between the soaking, the rinsing and the sorting, I don't really bother anymore...unless I can chuck them in the slow cooker and forget about them 🙂