The Best Slow Cooker Black Beans Food

SIMPLEST SLOW COOKER BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• Place the beans, onion half, bay leaf, garlic, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, pepper flakes (if using), and olive oil (if using) into a slow cooker. Cover with 8 cups of water. Cover pot. Cook on high heat for 6 to 8 hours or until the beans are done, but start checking at the 4-hour mark - all slow cookers are different and times might vary, too, depending on the age of your beans.
• Taste. Add more salt to taste. I add 2 more teaspoons, but start with 1 or a 1/2 teaspoon and adjust from there. Note: When you first taste a bean, do not expect to be wowed. The beans develop more flavor as they cool in their cooking liquid, which will continue to season them. As noted above, I find they taste even better on day 2.
• Store the beans in their cooking liquid. I love these deli quart containers for this purpose. I freeze the beans in their cooking liquid in these quart containers as well.

THE BEST SLOW COOKER BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• Combine ingredients **EXCEPT SALT** in your slow cooker. You will add this after cooking.
• Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours (checking after 3 hours to see if the beans are done) or on low for 6-7 hours (checking after 6 hours to see if beans are done).
• Once the beans are done cooking, remove the bay leaves. THEN, stir in salt.
• Enjoy warm! Use a slotted spoon to drain off extra liquid and serve beans over rice, quinoa or a salad. Top with avocado, extra salsa or shredded cheese.
• If storing leftovers, allow beans to cool completely before transferring beans and some of the cooking liquid to an air-tight container. Store beans in fridge for up to 5 days or in freezer for up to a month.

BLACK VELVET BEANS

Steps:

• In a slow cooker on high heat, add beans and water.
• On a griddle on high heat, toast avocado leaves for a few seconds on each side, until aroma is released. Using fingers, crumble into bean pot, along with epazote.
• In a large frying pan on medium heat, sauté onions and bell peppers in oil until soft, about 10 minutes. Add garlic, chipotle, and cumin and sauté for 1 minute. Transfer mixture to bean pot. Cook beans on high for 4-6 hours or low 6-9 hours, or until skins are soft and insides are creamy. Add salt and cook, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Before serving, stir in sour orange juice and garnish with cilantro leaves.