Crock Pot Bean Recipes

I've come across TONS of crock pot recipes on several blogs and I'm just getting my feet wet trying some of them. One thing I've noticed is that there are an abundance of fall/winter crock pot recipes, since that's the time of the year most of us use our crock pots. One ingredient I see used the most is beans. Several dishes are actually based on beans, rather than meat. The reason beans are usually used in place of meat is because they are a source of protein, and when paired with another ingredient like rice, they make up a complete protein. Here are two bean-based recipes that I've tried so far. Of course, they're probably the most simple bean recipes (that's why I tried them first!). They are both from crockpot365.blogspot.com.

Baked Beans w/ Apples & Jalapeno

I know, this sounds weird, but it has a lot of flavor. My husband loved this one! 

(picture from crockpot365.blogspot.com)

Ingredients

• 1 lb bacon, divided (I used turkey)  
• 2 cans white kidney beans, drained and rinsed  
• 1/2 yellow onion, diced  
• 2 granny smith apples, cored and diced (no need to peel)  
• 1 or 2 canned jalapeños, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced  
  • 1 tsp dry mustard 
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt  
  • 1/4 cup ketchup  
  • 1/3 cup apple juice  
  • 2 T molasses  
  • 1 T brown sugar 

  
  
  The Directions.
  1) Put 2 pieces of bacon into the bottom of your crockpot. 
  2) Layer in the
  beans, jalapeño, onion, and apples. 
  3) Sprinkle dry spices on the beans. Add the ketchup, molasses, and apple juice. Stir gingerly to combine.
  4) Add 2 more pieces of bacon to the top of the beans. 
  *Cover and cook on high for 4 hours, or on low for 6-8. This is finished when the onions and apples are translucent and the flavors have fully melded.
  
  Cook the remaining slices of bacon on the stove top and crumble over the top. Stephanie O'Dea (from crockpot365) served these with cornbread muffins!
   

It is a little on the sweet side, which most people prefer for their baked beans, but I think I'll take out the brown sugar or some of the apple juice next time. It was a little sweet for my taste.

*Click HERE to print this recipe

Beans & Rice

When I first glanced at this, I thought it was going to be red beans & rice. Nope! Just another meatless Monday bean recipe. It was pretty good!

  (picture from crockpot354.blogspot.com)

Ingredients

• 1 can of black beans  
• 1 can of pinto beans 
• 1 cup of rice 
•  1 can (14.5 oz) of diced tomatoes 
• 1 T olive oil 
• 1/2 t kosher salt 
• 1 t Italian seasoning 
• 1/2 T dried onion flakes

Directions

1) put 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the bottom of your crockpot

2) add the rice. Swirl the rice around in the olive oil, until it is coated nicely.
3) drain and rinse the beans, and add them
4) drain the tomatoes, but reserve the liquid in a measuring cup. You should get slightly less than a cup of tomato juice. Add the tomatoes.
5) add water to the measuring cup with tomato juice until you have a total of 2 cups of liquid. Add to the crock.
6) add seasonings, stir well, and cover.

*Cook on low for about 6 hours, or on high for 3-4.  It is done when the rice is tender. Brown rice or wild rice will take longer to cook than white rice (unless you use instant).

This one is so simple and tasty.

*Click HERE to print this recipe 

Enjoy your meatless crock pot meals!