Slow Cooker Smoky Sweet Black Beans
Experience the rich and complex flavors of these Slow Cooker Smoky Sweet Black Beans. Perfectly sweet, smoky, and slightly spicy, this versatile dish makes a fantastic filling for burritos or enchiladas, complements grilled meats or fish wonderfully, and can even stand alone as a hearty side dish. Let the slow cooker do the work while you enjoy the irresistible aroma wafting through your home.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
dried black beans
1 lb (soaked overnight)
bacon
4 slices (cooked and crumbled)
onion
1 small (chopped)
hickory-flavored liquid smoke
2 teaspoons (none)
dark molasses
2 tablespoons (none)
brown sugar
1/2 cup (none)
jalapeno
1 (minced)
Instructions
1
1. **Prepare the Beans:** Start by soaking the dried black beans overnight in enough water to cover them completely. This will help them cook evenly and achieve a soft texture.
2
2. **Drain and Transfer:** After soaking, drain the black beans and transfer them to your slow cooker. Add enough fresh water to cover the beans by about an inch. Set your slow cooker to the High setting.
3
3. **Cook the Bacon:** In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until it is crispy and the fat is rendered. Remove the bacon to cool, leaving the fat in the skillet. Once cool, crumble the bacon into small pieces.
4
4. **Saute the Onion:** In the bacon fat remaining in the skillet, add the chopped onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and translucent.
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5. **Combine Ingredients:** Add the crumbled bacon and sautéed onions to the slow cooker with the beans. Stir in the hickory-flavored liquid smoke, dark molasses, brown sugar, and minced jalapeno. Mix all ingredients thoroughly.
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6. **Slow Cook to Perfection:** Cover the slow cooker and set to the Low setting. Allow the beans to cook for 8 to 10 hours, or until they have reached your desired level of tenderness. Stir occasionally, if possible, to ensure even cooking.
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7. **Adjust and Serve:** Taste the beans and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding salt or pepper to taste before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is for Slow Cooker Smoky Sweet Black Beans.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes approximately 8 servings.
What type of beans are used in this dish?
The recipe requires 1 lb of dried black beans.
Do I need to soak the black beans?
Yes, the dried black beans should be soaked overnight to ensure they cook evenly and reach a soft texture.
How long do the beans cook in the slow cooker?
The beans should cook on the Low setting for 8 to 10 hours.
What ingredients provide the smoky flavor?
The smoky flavor comes from 2 teaspoons of hickory-flavored liquid smoke and 4 slices of cooked bacon.
What ingredients make the beans sweet?
The sweetness comes from 2 tablespoons of dark molasses and 1/2 cup of brown sugar.
Are these black beans spicy?
They have a slight spicy kick from one minced jalapeno.
How should I prepare the bacon?
Cook the bacon in a skillet until crispy, then crumble it into small pieces.
Should I use the bacon fat?
Yes, the chopped onion should be sauteed in the fat remaining in the skillet after cooking the bacon.
How do I prepare the onion?
Chop one small onion and saute it in bacon fat until it is softened and translucent.
What is the recommended use for these beans?
They are a fantastic filling for burritos or enchiladas and work well as a side dish for grilled meats or fish.
How much water is needed for cooking the beans?
Add enough fresh water to the slow cooker to cover the beans by about an inch.
How should the jalapeno be prepared?
The jalapeno should be minced before being stirred into the slow cooker.
When should I adjust the seasoning?
Taste the beans and add salt or pepper as needed at the very end before serving.
Is it necessary to stir the beans while they cook?
Stirring occasionally is recommended if possible to ensure even cooking.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to soak the dried black beans overnight in enough water to cover them completely.
What is the texture of these beans once finished?
The beans should be cooked until they reach your desired level of tenderness, typically soft and rich.
How many main ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 7 main ingredients listed for this recipe.
Can these beans stand alone as a meal?
Yes, they can stand alone as a hearty side dish or be used as a filling for other dishes.
What type of molasses should I use?
The recipe specifies using dark molasses for its rich and complex flavor.
How much brown sugar is required?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of brown sugar.
Do I use the soaking water for cooking?
No, you should drain the soaking water and add fresh water to the slow cooker.
What setting should the slow cooker be on initially?
The instructions suggest setting the slow cooker to High after adding fresh water, then switching to Low for the long cook time.
How much liquid smoke is needed?
You will need 2 teaspoons of hickory-flavored liquid smoke.
What makes the recipe aroma irresistible?
The combination of smoke, molasses, and bacon creates a wonderful aroma as it slow cooks.
Can I use these for enchiladas?
Yes, these beans are highly recommended as an enchilada filling.
How many slices of bacon are needed?
The recipe requires 4 slices of bacon.
What kind of onion is used?
The recipe calls for one small chopped onion.
What is the final step before serving the beans?
The final step is to taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.