Now you may think that trying to save money on legumes may take penny-pinching to a whole new level but look at these prices. It used to be buying a can of beans over $1 was unheard of but now even on sale, black beans are over a $1!
Reg took me to the Bulk Barn where I strategically bought things that are hard to find: smoked paprika, pure orange zest and pure almond extract on top of a nice big bag of black beans. Combined this cost $13 and the black beans were only $3.
You know I have been testing my crockpot to see if it is worth keeping in my kitchen. I figured if it helps me save money, time and effort by doing a great job with dried legumes, it would finally prove its worth.
I soaked my dried black beans overnight in a big bowl of water.
I rinsed them well, put them in my crockpot and again covered them with water. I started them on high for the first two hours or so, then brought the temperature down to low for at least four hours. That is one nice thing about a crockpot, you can just forget about it which I am very good at doing.
They turned out beautiful! And this was just a small portion of the beans I bought.
Earlier this summer I made my own stovetop-cooked chickpeas. I could not believe how much cooking them on the stove heated up my kitchen.
I loved that they tasted so much better than the canned ones which I have always had issues with. So this won me over and saving money at the same time?!!
I have done red kidney beans both on the stove and the crockpot. The slow cooked may have a tendency to make beans a little mushier because you might overcook them a bit but that is much better than under cooking them, if you ask me.
I love that I can do a large batch in the crockpot with very little effort and zero heating up of my kitchen. When they are done, I can divvy them up and freeze them in quantifies that work for me. Does it save me money? Yes, I believe so. Even better, I just feel the beans are cleaner and healthier this way than buying canned.
So my cute little crockpot, you have earned your spot in my kitchen. No more testing, you can just sit there happily at home on my shelf until I have more legumes to make!
Your title? Slayed me. Am now imagining your little crockpot being patted on the snout and running around the farmyard.
Yes, I can hear that cutie little crockpot of yours breathe a happy sigh of relief 🙂
I recently picked up some various beans from Bulk Barn as well, and I have to agree they are so much better than canned. They take more time but well worth it. We got some Adzuki, Mung and Pinto Beans. The Pinto Beans were used to make Pioneer Woman’s “Spicy Beans”. They were a hit. The jalapeno peppers almost killed us but they were really, really good!
It’s never occurred to me to cook and freeze quantities of beans. Thanks for that. Makes it more appealing to grow and dry my own even. Kudos to your crock pot for making the cut!
Thanks Cathy and I will forever be calling my crockpot Babe from now on, LOL.
Ava, I think my crockpot did great and am happy to keep it in my kitchen. The beans really are so much better than canned, aren’t they? And they’re cheaper! I have to pick up all kinds of beans now that I feel confident making them this way. Oh those beans sound fantastic!
SweetOne, I learned that trick from $10 Dinners and she insisted so hard that dried beans are so much cheaper I just had to try them and now I have them all divided up and ready to go for chilli, refried beans… Grow your own? OMG, you rock!
I live in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. I love my crockpot. She sits and cooks out on the balcony when it is really hot here. Having a hot homemade soup or anything without heating the whole kitchen gets my big thank you to little crockpot.
Slow cooking beans to freeze has been on a list of mine to try for a while but I still haven’t gotten around to it.
I’m glad your crockpot has earned a spot in your kitchen!
hi suzie, you sure have a smart way way to save time, energy and money, appreciate sharing this with us.
Huh. I have a bag of chickpeas sitting around because I am too lazy to cook them on the stove…I think I have been inspired to pull out the slow cooker. 🙂
Never thought about beans in the crockpot. Of course i’m the only one here (just 2 of us) who will touch them. Still, the idea of not having to drain that nasty slime off them intrigues me! So glad your crockpot has a permanent home now. I bet it’s relieved!
Oh and I made the corn fritter recipe you posted the other day. Awesome!!
Glad I could help everyone! It really is an easy way to save money and have the crockpot really pay off. Dianne, so glad you enjoyed the fritters and I agree, can’t stand that slime.
BTW, I originally wrote that I bought the beans and other items at the dollar store. Doh! I meant Bulk Barn. One of the hazards of writing in the morning, thanks to fibro fog.
Hello! Today I googled Essentials toaster oven as I lost the manual and couldn’t find the toast setting *crosses eyes* and lo and behold, your site popped up! Thanks for all your reviews and recipes.
I am enjoying your site!