Slow-Cooked Savory Dried Beans
Discover the simplicity and affordability of cooking dried beans at home with this easy crock pot recipe. Not only does cooking dried beans cost less than purchasing canned varieties, but it also allows you to control the seasoning and flavors to suit your tastes. This method yields about three cans' worth of perfectly tender beans, making it ideal for meal prep. Enjoy the convenience of having pre-cooked beans readily available for soups, salads, or as a protein-packed addition to any dish. With minimal effort and a little planning, you can create flavorful beans that freeze beautifully for future use. Whether you're stocking up for the week or preparing for a big family gathering, this recipe is a must-try!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
2
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dried Beans
1 lb (Rinsed and soaked)
Water
6-8 cups (For soaking and cooking)
Instructions
1
Begin by rinsing the dried beans thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris.
2
Place the rinsed beans into a crock pot and add enough water to cover them, ensuring there's an additional 2 inches of water above the beans.
3
Allow the beans to soak in the water for 6 hours or overnight without turning on the crock pot. This softens the beans and improves their cooking time.
4
After soaking, drain and rinse the beans again to eliminate excess sodium and impurities.
5
Return the rinsed beans to the crock pot and cover them with fresh water, maintaining the 2-inch water level above the beans.
6
Set the crock pot to cook on low for about 8 hours, or until the beans are tender and creamy.
7
Once cooked, let the beans cool before packaging them in zip lock bags for freezing. Each bag should contain approximately 1 2/3 cups of beans, equivalent to one can.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recipe name?
The recipe is for Slow-Cooked Savory Dried Beans.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
This recipe requires only 2 ingredients: 1 lb of dried beans and 6-8 cups of water.
Is it more affordable to cook dried beans than to buy canned ones?
Yes, cooking dried beans at home costs less than purchasing canned varieties.
How many cans of beans does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields approximately 3 cans' worth of perfectly tender beans.
What is the primary equipment needed?
You will need a crock pot or slow cooker for this recipe.
What is the first step in preparing the dried beans?
The first step is rinsing the dried beans thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris.
How much water should I use for the initial soak?
Add enough water to cover the beans, ensuring there is an additional 2 inches of water above them.
How long should the beans soak?
The beans should soak for 6 hours or overnight.
Do I turn the crock pot on while the beans are soaking?
No, you should allow the beans to soak without turning on the crock pot.
Should I drain the beans after soaking?
Yes, after soaking, you should drain and rinse the beans again.
Why do I need to rinse the beans after soaking?
Rinsing after soaking helps to eliminate excess sodium and impurities.
How much water is needed for the cooking phase?
Cover the rinsed beans with fresh water, maintaining a level of 2 inches above the beans.
What temperature setting should I use on the crock pot?
Set the crock pot to cook on the 'low' setting.
How long do the beans need to cook?
The beans should cook for about 8 hours.
How can I tell if the beans are finished cooking?
The beans are done when they are tender and creamy.
Can these beans be frozen?
Yes, these beans freeze beautifully for future use.
What is the best way to package the beans for freezing?
Wait for them to cool, then package them in zip lock bags.
How much should I put in each freezer bag?
Each bag should contain approximately 1 2/3 cups of beans.
Why is 1 2/3 cups the recommended freezer portion?
That amount is equivalent to one standard can of beans.
What are some ways to use these pre-cooked beans?
They are ideal for soups, salads, or as a protein-packed addition to any dish.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is specifically described as ideal for meal prep.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this is a vegetarian and healthy recipe.
Can I control the flavors of the beans?
Yes, cooking at home allows you to control the seasoning and flavors to suit your tastes.
What kind of beans can I use?
You can use any variety of 1 lb dried beans.
Is this recipe easy to follow?
Yes, it is described as a simple method with minimal effort.
Does the recipe include nutritional information like calories or fat?
The provided data lists those values as null, focusing on the preparation method instead.
What are the main tags for this recipe?
Tags include beans, crock pot, meal prep, vegetarian, healthy, affordable, and freezer-friendly.
How much dried beans do I start with?
The recipe starts with 1 lb of dried beans.
What is the benefit of soaking the beans?
Soaking softens the beans and improves their cooking time.
Should the beans be hot when I put them in freezer bags?
No, the instructions state to let the beans cool before packaging them.