Chili Beans (Slow Cooker)
Chili Beans (Slow Cooker)
I like to cook with dried beans, they are nutritious and versatile. This is the homemade version of canned Chili Beans, healthier and more nutritious. These can be served as a side, as a main, or as a base for chili. Takes some time but well worth it. I made these on 30 July 2016, very good! The recipe is a total rewrite to make into a slow cooker recipe. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 500 grams dry Pinto beans, (1 lb)
- 1 large onion, minced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup taco seasoning mix, (two 1.25 oz packets), Shortcut
- 1 can tomato paste, the small 170 gram can
- 4 cups chicken stock, or vegetable stock for vegetarian
Instructions
- Pick through and discard irregular beans or stones. In 5 quart container, add dry beans and soak for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours. Drain beans, discard soaking liquid, rinse and drain beans.
- In your slow cooker add the chicken stock, or 4 cups of water and stir in the stock powder, add in the taco seasoning and whisk well. Add the tomato paste and whisk more so no lumps, then add the onion and garlic. Add the beans and give a quick stir. Add salt to taste. Cook on High setting for at least 8 hours up to 12 hours, depends on the age of the beans so you will need to check them (this is based on my slow cooker) and the beans will still have a bit of bite to them but are not mush either.
- Serve as a main dish as a soup with topping just like chili, such as grated Cheddar cheese, diced onions, and sour cream, with crackers or cornbread on the side. Serve as a side dish with Mexican dishes, burgers, pulled pork, or as a base for other recipes listed below.
Notes
A bag of 500 grams of beans will cost between 50 and 65 Baht. Make the stock from scratch or from stock base powder. For 10 cups of beans and sauce, this dish is well under $1 per person per serving.
Shortcut: Taco Seasoning.
Used in Recipe Listed on this Site:
- Mexican Casserole.
- Chili Cornbread Pie.
- Pinto Bean Chili, made it, GO-TO recipe.
- Taco Soup.
- Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
I made these on 30 July 2016. It sounds like a lot of taco seasoning but after cooking, and yes, I cooked mine on high for 8 hours, the beans will have a chili flavor, not a taco flavor. I made the seasoning myself so there is a cost saver right there and so easy. The photo is what I had for dinner last night, a bowl of chili beans with a pile of shredded cheese on top, excellent! Great as is or as a base for other recipes.