5 from 48 votes
Slow Cooker Black Beans
This slow cooker recipe yields flavorful black beans cooked with bacon, onion, and red bell pepper, seasoned with cumin, garlic, oregano, and chili flakes. The slow cooking method develops rich, tender beans with balanced savory and slightly spicy notes. Fresh cilantro and lime juice finish the dish with brightness, making it suitable for meals like Mexican dishes or as a hearty side.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
4 hrs 20 mins
Total Time
4 hrs 30 mins
Servings:
8
servings (1 cup each)
Calories:
252 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
American, Mexican
Ingredients
- 1 pound black beans picked over, rinsed, and soaked overnight (see notes, dried
- 2 lices Bacon minced
- 2 medium onion chopped
- 1 red bell pepper seeded and chopped
- 1 teaspoon cumin ground
- salt freshly ground
- black pepper freshly ground
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- 3 1/2 cups water
- 2 bay leaf
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes or to taste
- 1/4 cup cilantro minced, fresh
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (from 1 lime)
Instructions
- Drain and discard soaking liquid. In a 3-quart saucepan, sauté bacon until it begins to crisp, about 5 minutes.
- Add onions, bell pepper, cumin, and 1/2 tsp. salt. Continue to cook about 5 minutes longer, until vegetables are softened. Stir in garlic and oregano and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add water, beans, bay leaves, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil. Pour into a large crock pot and cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW 7 to 8 hours (see notes).
- Remove and discard bay leaves. Add cilantro and lime juice and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Soaking beans overnight is recommended to reduce cooking time and improve texture but is optional.
- You can substitute other beans following similar preparation and cooking methods.
- Use either Italian or Mexican oregano depending on flavor preference, both work well.
- Remove bay leaves before serving as they are not edible.
- Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1 cup
Calories
252kcal
(13%)
Carbohydrates
40g
(13%)
Protein
14g
(28%)
Fat
5g
(8%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Trans Fat
0.01g
(1%)
Cholesterol
6mg
(2%)
Sodium
71mg
(3%)
Potassium
955mg
(20%)
Fiber
10g
(40%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
543IU
(11%)
Vitamin C
23mg
(26%)
Calcium
92mg
(9%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 servings (1 cup each)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 252
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 cup | |
| Calories | 252kcal | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 40g | 13% |
| Protein | 14g | 28% |
| Fat | 5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 6mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 71mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 955mg | 20% |
| Fiber | 10g | 40% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 543IU | 11% |
| Vitamin C | 23mg | 26% |
| Calcium | 92mg | 9% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.