Spicy Slow Cooker Black Beans. Hearty comfort food at its best! Plus they are incredibly budget-friendly. Cook on the stovetop or in a slow cooker for a really easy & tasty meal.
This Slow Cooker Black Beans recipe is one that's been on AVV since the very beginning and it needed a much needed facelift. Everything about my photography and writing style has changed since then, so it's out with the old and in with the new today. I have totally deleted my original text, and replaced the photos. Hopefully now it will get a new lease of life because it deserves to. These beans are super yummy!
HOW TO USE SLOW COOKER BLACK BEANS
Dried beans are a staple in my kitchen. I make my Vegan Baked Beans and this Slow Cooker Black Beans recipe all the time. Both simple, budget friendly and easy to make meals. The Baked Beans are a family favourite with baked potatoes and these black beans are perfect for a simple dinner served with rice or another grain or even with some crusty bread. Try topping them with some fresh cilantro or mint, and some chopped raw bell pepper, tomatoes or green onion. A big dollop of my Green Sauce is amazing with them too. These extras add a pop of colour and some extra texture to make a really well rounded meal.
Slow Cooker Black Beans reheat really well and can be repurposed in all kinds of ways.
Think:
- Vegan Meal Prep with Black Beans & Rice
- tacos
- enchiladas
- dips
- burritos
- quesadillas
- nachos
- Buddha bowls
- making refried beans
They can even be diluted with a flavoursome broth and turned into soup!
PERFECT FOR BATCH COOKING
I typically cook massive batches of these Spicy Slow Cooker Black Beans because they are so versatile and having them on hand makes all of the meals above so much easier and faster. It's so easy to change up the flavours too. They can totally be transformed by throwing in some sweet potato, a jar of salsa, some fresh chopped tomatoes or bell pepper or simply by using different herbs and spices.
Feel free to double or triple the recipe then portion them up ready for a quick dinner at a later date. My freezer is always brimming with little pots of these all over the place!
Black beans are such a great ingredient. They are so nutritious and filling plus they are incredibly budget friendly, especially if you buy dried ones. Cooking them in a slow cooker makes the whole process so easy but if you don't have one make them on the stove-top instead. I have included directions for both methods.
If you do want to invest in a slow cooker, this is the one I had, until someone (who shall remain nameless), dropped the ceramic pot and put a great big crack in it. I replaced it with an Instant Pot which is a pressure cooker and a slow cooker in one. Although I loved my slow cooker, I love my Instant Pot more so watch out for an Instant Pot version of this recipe coming soon.
I hope this Spicy Slow Cooker Black Beans Recipe becomes as much of a staple in your kitchen as it is ours and helps make your dinner times easier. Let me know what you think by rating it and leaving a comment below. You can share your pics on Instagram too using the #avirtualvegan hashtag so I don't miss them!
Slow Cooker Black Beans
Author:Ingredients
- 2½ cups (450 grams) dried black beans (no need to soak before using) (or 6 cups canned beans if you want to cook them on the stove top),
- 1 medium onion , chopped finely
- 4 cloves garlic , chopped finely
- 2 teaspoons chili flakes , or 1 fresh chili (you can omit the chili if you prefer)
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 large bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried mint , or thyme
- 3½ cups (840 mls) vegetable stock
- Juice of one lime
INSTRUCTIONS
SLOW COOKER
- Place all ingredients except the lime into a slow cooker.
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 7 - 8 hours.
- Just before serving squeeze in the juice of one lime and stir well.
COOKING ON THE STOVE-TOP
- Use cooked/canned beans.
- Soften your onions in a little oil or a couple tablespoons of water then add the spices and cook for a minute or two.
- Add the rest of the ingredients (only using half the amount of stock) and simmer for around 30 minutes.
- Just before serving squeeze in the juice of one lime and stir well.
NOTES
NUTRITION
Nutritional information is provided for convenience & as a courtesy. The data is a computer generated estimate so should be used as a guide only.
Diane says
Are the canned beans supposed to be drained?
A Virtual Vegan says
Yes
Corinna says
How much is considered one serving in the nutritional values please?
A Virtual Vegan says
The recipe makes 6 portions and the nutritional information is for one of them so one sixth of the entire recipe.
Louise says
You don’t list any liquid here, to be added to the beans... is that correct?
A Virtual Vegan says
Vegetable stock is in the ingredients list.
KG says
Is it the same amount of stock for dried beans as for canned? Most dried bean recipes I’ve seen have closer to six cups liquid per pound.
A Virtual Vegan says
The amount of stock listed is the amount for dried beans in a slow cooker. If you use canned beans to cook them on the stove top the instructions say to only use half the amount of stock.
Maybe the other recipes you've looked at are more saucy. These beans aren't saucy beans. Most of the liquid is absorbed.
Donna Jago says
The recipe says 4 garlic cloves. Are they just put in whole, or crushed?
A Virtual Vegan says
You can crush them if you want to, but they can go in whole. By the time it's cooked and you stir it before serving, they break up and disintegrate anyway.
Gail Wisdom says
I made this in the slow cooker today! I added a small can of green chilies and some bell pepper. My husband said "Gourmet." We loved it and will make again and again.
A Virtual Vegan says
I'm so pleased you enjoyed the beans Gail. Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave feedback!
Jane says
Hi, I love the simplicity of this dish. Mine tastes a little bitter...any thoughts on why that might be? Thanks in advance.
A Virtual Vegan says
I have no idea why it might taste bitter. There isn't anything in it that is bitter at all except the lime juice but that's a pretty distinctive flavour that you would know. I find meals cooked in slow cookers get a distinctive kind of tang to them. I'm not sure what it is but I can always tell when something has been cooked in one. Maybe it's that?
Randi Tisdall says
I love slow cooker black beans!! The addition of the mint sounds delicious too. I love making a big pot and using them in a variety of dishes all week!
A Virtual Vegan says
Having a big pot on standby makes life so much easier!
Bonveggie says
So delicious. Made them twice. Love the pictures too.
Elaine Gordon says
Oh I love this recipe! So simple and tasty!
Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy says
Oh WOW does that bowl look awesome! There's really nothing like homecooked black beans!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you Anjali!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
I love black beans! I make them all the time in my Instant Pot, but I should try the slow cooker setting one of these days.
A Virtual Vegan says
I've never used the slow cooker setting on mine either. This recipe is from my pre-Instant Pot days! There's no need to use the slow cooker setting on it when it cooks fast so well, is there? There is an Instant Pot version of this recipe coming soon too. I wanted to cover all bases!