How to Cook Butter Beans in a Crockpot
Crockpots, also known as slow cookers, are an excellent method for cooking beans. Most beans require a lengthy cooking time, even after soaking. Having to pay that much attention to the stove top can be inconvenient. If you use a crockpot, you can add the butter beans, spices and water, turn on the unit and get to walk out of the kitchen while you tend to other things around the house.
Of course, a crockpot doesn't absolve you of complete responsibility; it's a good idea to peek in every now and again to make sure the water hasn't cooked completely out of the pot.
Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Sauté pan
- 2 cups butter beans (fresh or frozen)
- 4 cups water (or chicken stock)
- ½ onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp. butter
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. pepper
- Ham hock (optional)
Instructions
-
-
1
Sauté the onion, garlic and butter in a sauté pan until the onion has softened and turned clear. Add the salt and pepper and one cup of water or stock. Cook for two or three minutes on low heat.
-
2
Turn on the crockpot to the high setting to warm up while the seasonings are cooking.
-
-
3
Put the seasonings into the crockpot and add the rest of the water and the butter beans.
-
4
Place the cover on the crockpot and cook for two hours on the high setting. After one hour, turn the unit down to the low setting and cook for approximately 90 more minutes.
-
5
Check on the beans occasionally to give them a stir and to make sure the beans are covered by at least one inch of water or stock.
-
6
Remove the beans from the heat once they are fork tender, or when they mash when pressed with a spoon. Serve straight from the crockpot or transfer into another container for service.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Add a ham hock to the pot for a more authentic southern flavor.
Butter beans are a softer bean than pinto or black and can get mushy when overcooked.
