Making beans in the slow cooker is super simple. I usually go ahead and make a pound of dried beans and freeze the extra for recipes later in the month. Sometimes I don’t want to fool with all that…all I really want is about 2 1/2 to 3 cups cooked beans for what I want to make that night.
This is just one more reason to have a 1 1/2 quart slow cooker. If I haven’t already talked you into getting one, I’m going to try even harder this month! In the morning I throw in a cup of dried beans and 3 cups water and when I come back home my beans are ready to be used. No cans, no bpa, no soaking and they are cheap enough that you won’t bat your eyes at paying the extra money to get organic ones.
If your beans are really old (like over a year – I always find some in the back of my pantry from who knows when) you may need to soak them, cook on high, or just cook all night and then all day on low. It’s really about what works into your schedule best. You can add spices or herbs if you want. But I like to keep mine plain when I am going to use them in another recipe.
Beyond Easy Slow Cooker Beans - 1½ Quart Version
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried beans: pinto white, garbanzos, etc.
- You can use kidney beans but boil them for a full 10 minutes on the stove before adding to the slow cooker. This is because kidney beans contain a toxic agent, Phytohaemagglutnin also known as Kidney Bean Lectin.
- 3 cups water
Instructions
- In the morning:
- Add beans and water to slow cooker.
- Cook on low all day.
Recipe Notes
Chantal says
I love this. so far I have been re hydrating my beans in the slow cooker but the recipe I have followed involved soaking for minimum 8 hrs and then cooking on high for 4. I found this a challenge since I work out of my home all day I could only do it on the weekends. And then most weekends I would forget… This way I can do it while I am at work! LOVE IT!
Laura Bethuy says
I’m going to have to give this try, as it would save some money, and be a healthier choice than canned beans. Thanks for the great tip.
Ed says
like this one. do you have any more for 1 1/2 qt cooker, all that i find are for 3 +qts.
Lynda says
Tried this and loved it. Perfect beans. Just what I needed. Thanks.
Tracy P says
I use this method all the time now. It’s perfect.
Kate C says
Hey Kathy – do cannellini beans need to be boiled ahead of time, like kidney beans, or are they OK to just throw in the slow cooker w/ water, and cook? I cooked a whole 1 lb bag of garbanzos using the method you shared (2 batches), and LOVED that I could just set it and forget it. Thanks for sharing this great tip!
Kathy Hester says
Well the fact is White Kidneys or Cannellini beans contain about 30% less phytohaemagglutnin but should still be boiled as a best practice for food safety. But I admit to not boiling them myself sometimes. Proceed at your own risk ; )
Kate C says
Thanks Kathy. I’ll boil. An ounce of prevention is worth, well, I’m sure you know the rest. 😉 It’s only 10 minutes!
Tom says
Thanks for the recipe I did one cup of pinto beans and my 2-quart pressure cooker 3 cups of water 30 minutes on high and they stayed warm until I got home it even works on my slow cooker thank you
Mary Easley says
This is awesome. The only way I cook my beans from now on. Thanks so much.
Cheryl says
How long is all day?
Kathy Hester says
7 to 9 hours
Judy says
Hoe much water for 1 cip beans in 2 qt crock pot?
Kathy Hester says
It depends on the bean but about 3 cups.
Seerina says
Do you have to boil all of the beans or 10 minutes before putting in the crockpot or only certain beans?
Kathy Hester says
You only have to boil kidney beans.