Homemade Restaurant-style Black Beans in the CrockPot

Published: Mon, 04/21/25

Updated: Mon, 04/21/25

April 21, 2025

Hello there, Slow Cookerers!!

I hope you enjoyed your weekend.
I really did!!

I sent this recipe out in January -- but since then it's sort of taken on a life of it's own on Pinterest and Facebook and I get comments and emails about these beans weekly.

They are good beans.

:-)

Since Cinco de Mayo is coming up soon, I wanted to share my favorite way to make Restaurant-Style Black Beans at home:

Mexican Black Beans
(click thru to see photos)
serves 8-10 as a side dish

1 pound black beans, soaked overnight, then drained

(if you don't have time to soak overnight, no problem. Put them in a large pot, and cover completely with water. Bring to a rapid boil for 10 minutes, then turn off stove and cover pot. Let your beans sit for 1 hour, then drain water and put beans into crockpot)

6 cups chicken broth (if vegetarian, use veggie broth; I'm concerned water won't provide enough flavor)
6 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, or 2 cups fresh chopped tomatoes
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder

The Directions.

Use a 6-quart slow cooker.

Soak your beans overnight and drain (or use quick soaking method described above). 
I've heard that you should water your outside plants with the bean water, but I've never done so--- I really should give that a try.

Put the drained beans into your slow cooker, then add the chopped garlic, broth, tomatoes, cumin, and chili powder.

Stir well to combine.

I used bouillon cubes for my broth.

If you're on a low-sodium diet, you may want to use low-sodium broth, or only use 5 cups and then 1 cup of water--- I've been cutting out salt and these beans tasted salty to me, but Adam and the kids thought they just tasted "good"--- 

cover and cook on low for 8 hours.

If you live in a high altitude area, you may need to cook for longer.

We're at sea level and my beans were perfect at 8 hours.

The Verdict.

My entire family loves these beans. We make them often, and serve to friends when they are over for a Taco or Fajita night.

The seasoning is fantastic--- the cumin and chili powder complement each other nicely and I liked the bits of tomato and garlic.

If you want some heat, opt for a can of tomatoes and chiles (Rotel)-- there is no heat here, just flavor.

This morning, the beans have soaked in more of the liquid, but taste marvelous, even cold.

If you'd like to freeze in batches, be aware that the beans will break down a bit-- no biggie, unless you'd like them picture-perfect.


PS: according to the emails I've been getting lately ---

it looks like you all are SUPER interested in "health & wellness" and "decluttering" ---

which is AWESOME because I have books for that!

📚  📚  📚

:-)

I wrote 2 4 6 EAT which is a down and dirty ebook on Intermittent Fasting. 
Intermittent Fasting is NOT a diet. Yes, you can most certainly lose weight IF YOU NEED TO.
But, it's also an amazing way to *heal* your body.

You know how the very first thing animals do when they don't feel well is to stop eating?
That is what this is all about --- giving your body time to HEAL ITSELF -- by limiting the insulin spikes that happen nonstop throughout the day if you are in a constantly "fed" state.

that's all it is.

I am most CERTAINLY not a doctor (although the first review on Amazon IS by one!) but I've spent years and years researching food and nutrition ever since our family was diagnosed with Celiac way back in 2006 (before it was a well-known *thing* ) ---
and because of this, and from my research of auto-immune disorders, I am full on in belief that Sugar needs to be limited and your body needs to heal from it.
That's where IF comes into play.
:-)

You can buy 2 4 6 EAT, Intermittent Fasting, Simplified: and read all about it, here:
https://stephanieodea.com/product/2-4-6-eat/


NOW ABOUT THE DECLUTTERING:

I have written Clean Less, Play More -- and in it, I discuss my favorite way to declutter, which is the PROM method
(Purge, Remove, Organize, Maintain) --
and share daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal cleaning tips and schedules.

You can buy Clean Less, Play More: Housekeeping for Normal People here:
https://stephanieodea.com/product/clean-less-play-more/

📚  📚  📚

okay!!  I hope you find this helpful!

I aim to serve. :-)

have a great day, and happy slow cooking!!

steph
 
store ~ podcast ~ coaching





 
 
thank you!!

Stephanie O'Dea

1534 Plaza Lane #256, Burlingame California, 94010-3204

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