Once you make these garlicky cranberry beans in a slow cooker, you might never go back to canned beans.
When I was visiting San Francisco with my husband a while ago, I stocked up on dried beans from Rancho Gordo – they had a table set up among the farmers outside the Ferry Building. (The Ferry Building Market!!! Have you ever been? HEAVEN.) Rancho Gordo had some amazing varieties of beans that I just had to try. They are all about heirloom beans and, truthfully, they just seemed kind of cool. (Check out their packaging below!) Recently, while at my local farmers market, I found cranberry beans here in NC, too. I don’t know how they kind of slipped under my radar for so long. They are delicious. And good for you. 😉
My kids love to eat beans, as do I, and I often give them beans right out of a can. But, since making them in your slow cooker is so darn easy, I’m really not sure why I don’t just do it this way every time! When you make these cranberry beans in your slow cooker, you control the flavors and the salt.
Making beans in a slow cooker …
Garlicky Cranberry Beans in a Slow Cooker (No Soaking!)
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion , chopped
- 5 or 6 cloves of garlic , minces
- 1 pound of dried cranberry beans , rinsed
- A little salt
- 4 cups (about) water
Instructions
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Combine everything in a small slow cooker.
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Check the water level as you cook - add more water if necessary.
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Cook on high for about 5 to 6 hours.
Check the water level as you cook – you might need a little bit more water after the beans have been cooking for a few hours.
You can serve the beans whole or mash them up a bit and make your own not-fried refried beans! After making beans in a slow cooker, you might never go back to canned…
Love San Francisco and the Ferry Building! I’ve never seen this brand of beans, but they looks great!
Just thinking about that awesome market makes me want to plan another trip!
These sound great. I love the flavors in them. I haven’t made beans in my slow cooker before. What am I looking for as they near completion? Also, you mention the water level — am I trying to maintain the same water level throughout cooking? Thanks!
Thanks! You need to do it! LOTS of great flavors! And easy…
I’ve never made beans in my slow cooker and don’t know why – so easy! Next time I’m in SF, I’ll have to check out that market!
Thanks, Joanie! I don’t know why I didn’t do it for so long either! So easy.
Simple recipe that sounds absolutely delightful! I’ve actually never slow cooked beans before!
Thanks. Levan! My slow cooker is my best friend!! Beans are perfect in there!
I just heard about these beans! I would love a big bowl of these cranberry beans. It would be perfect on a cold night 🙂
I love all beans but these are great! And aren’t they so pretty??
I couldn’t find the black eyed peas I’m sure I bought, so I cooked up cranberry beans in my slow cooker.
Marvelous flavor & consistency, just had first bowl. YUMM
So glad to hear that!!
Sonia,I’d like to have this for my lunch!This reminds me of the good old days, my mum also prearped dried noodles in smilar way but for the sauce we also added a few drops of sesame oil and personally I like to add tomato sauce as well.
This looks great. Any idea how to convert the pound of beans into cups? I bought a 10lb bag on Amazon.
2 cups per lb
Hello~ I have never even heard of cranberry beans before but saw them at the store and decided to get them. Making this recipe today but I’m going to add shredded chicken to the recipe and use chicken broth instead of the water. Looking forward to seeing how this turns out.
I tried the simple, easy to make recipe and my wife and daughter LOVED THEM. they came out tasty and tender. We ate the leftovers until they were gone! Perfect! Thanks Erin.
Thank you so much for letting me know! We love them here, too!