Slow Cooker Brothy Beans Recipes

15 BEAN SOUP® CROCK POT OR SLOW COOKER RECIPE

Steps:

• NO SOAK METHOD
• In a colander or sieve, rinse beans thoroughly. Sort and inspect for any unwanted debris and discard.
• Drain and pour beans in a slow cooker with 8 cups of stock/water, onions, garlic, and meat or hambone. (Not tomato or lemon juice yet!). Use 9-10 cups of liquid if you like a more "brothy" soup.
• Stir to combine. Set slow cooker on high and cook for 5-7 hours then check to make sure beans are tender. The soup can continue to simmer for several hours and will develop more flavor over time.
• After the beans are tender, remove the hambone (leave any ham in the pot), stir in the can of diced tomatoes, our Ham Flavor packet, optional chili powder, and the lemon juice.
• Cook for additional 30 minutes then keep warm until ready to serve.
• We recommend to serve with a freshly baked slice of corn bread! You can also serve over rice as well.
• Please keep in mind that every time the lid is opened, your cooking time will be longer.

MIX-AND-MATCH BROTHY BEANS

Steps:

• For the brothy beans: Put the beans in a large bowl with cold water to cover by 2 inches. Soak in the refrigerator at least 8 hours and up to 12 hours.
• Drain and rinse the beans. Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a medium Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the smoked meat if using and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisped, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the onion and other chopped vegetables. Cook, stirring occasionally, until just softened, about 3 minutes.
• For the aromatics: Add the aromatics of your choice (use up to 3) and cook, stirring, until sizzling, about 1 minute.
• Add the beans and bay leaves along with cold water to cover by about 2 inches (8 to 9 cups). Submerge the woody herb sprigs in the water if using. Bring to a simmer, partially cover the pot with the lid and cook until the beans are very tender, 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on the type of bean.
• To serve, remove and discard the bay leaves and herb sprigs. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season with 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons according to your taste. Stir in the fresh herbs.
• Italian: Follow the recipe using cannellini beans, pancetta, celery, carrots, garlic, rosemary and parsley.
• Latin: Follow the recipe using black beans, ham, bell pepper, tomato, sofrito, jalapeno and cilantro.
• Cajun: Follow the recipe using black eyed peas, andouille, celery, bell pepper, tomato paste, thyme and chives.
• Tex-Mex: Follow the recipe using pinto beans, celery, carrot, garlic, adobo sauce and cilantro.

SLOW-COOKER BEANS

Steps:

• In a 5-quart or larger slow cooker, add the beans, olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and your selection of flavorings. Add water to cover 2 inches above the beans, then cook on low until tender, 8 to 10 hours. To test for doneness, taste more than one bean to ensure they're all cooked through; they should flatten without much effort when pressed between your fingers. (If you plan to eat your beans cold, cook them a bit past tender, as they'll firm as they cool.) Season to taste with salt.
• Let cool slightly, then eat right away or store beans in their liquid in an airtight container for up to a week in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer.