A few years ago I did the Daniel fast (veggies/fruits) for church, and I needed a bean recipe for some protein. This is the best bean recipe I’ve had, so I thought I would share. My son LOVES these beans, so we pretty much make this 2-3 times a month. They last a long time too.
This is also a VERY economical recipe. Like Dave Ramsey says, “Beans and rice. Rice and beans!” A serving of these beans will cost you roughly $0.39-0.65!!! Hello cheap! $Almost $4.00 for the full recipe (that’s all ingredients included).
Ingredients:
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| All the ingredients minus the beans |
3 cups of dried pinto beans (I use Great Value and they’re great)
1 box of chicken broth (I use low sodium) – you can also use 1 can broth and the rest water
1 yellow onion
1-2 Tbsp Chili Powder (depending on your spice tolerance)
1 Tbsp Paprika
1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
1 Tbsp Lawry’s Salt
1/2 Tbsp Salt (I use Kosher salt) – I don’t really use this anymore to cut the sodium
Several dashes of Liquid Smoke – this is the KEY ingredient. I probably use about a Tbsp, but I don’t measure
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| The KEY to this recipe! It smells like a BBQ pit going into your beans!!! So good. And I’m just realizing as I post this picture that the expiration date is tomorrow. Hmmm…didn’t know that. |
*On all the spices, I use just shy of 1 Tbsp…you can’t really mess it up, so use as much or as little as you’d like.
Directions:
The Night Before: Measure out 3 cups of dried beans and pick out all the crummy ones (broken, dirty looking). Once you’ve done this, soak them overnight in water. This will soften the beans and take away the “gas” element that often comes with eating beans!
*Side Note: Remember that song? “Beans Beans! They’re good for your heart. The more you eat, the more you fart.” Haha! I can’t help but sing this song every time I make beans. And I laugh out loud every time.
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| The crummy beans |
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| Before they have soaked all night. Make sure to put enough water in your jar…it will at least double in size. |
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| After they have soaked all night. |
The Next Morning:
1. Drain and rinse the beans and pour them in your crock pot. You might see a few more crummy beans…just pick them out.
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| Nice action shot right? |
2. Chop onion – I like to cut my pieces small. Add to beans.
3. Pour chicken broth and/or water over the beans. I use all chicken broth. But if you’re using half water, just make sure to cover the top of the beans slightly.
4. Add all your spices and liquid smoke and stir all the goodness together.
5. I cook my beans on low heat for about 7-9 hours. If I’m at home, I give it a stir about halfway through.
*You might get home and take a look at your beans and think you burned them, but don’t worry…just stir them and they’ll be fine.
*Helpful Hint: If you don’t get the beans in the crock pot a full 7-9 hours before dinner like I have, just put it on high for about 3-5 hours and adjust it to low for another 2 or so. All crock pots are different, but doing high then low can cut your time down if you need to.
Feel free to add cheese, jalapenos, green onions, sour cream, corn bread, tomatoes, quinoa, etc… Add some rice for a COMPLETE protein! You get the best nutrients when you combine the beans and rice!
It would be neat if you could do a post talking more about your experience with the Daniel fast! I would really like to read that. Also, unrelated, do you have any posts on tithing?
Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing. I look forward to trying this recipe for the kiddos over Thanksgiving break. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
OMG! I just cooked this tonight and it is AMAZING. I don't even like pintos (was making it for my hubby) but I'm on my 2nd bowl! And the kids are even eating it! 🙂
LOVED this recipe! I made it yesterday and not only are they delicious, they smell soooo good too! Thank you so much! 🙂
You described this recipe as "vegetarian" in this post: http://snyderstellall.blogspot.com/2013/04/feeding-toddler-tons-of-meal-ideas-and.html?m=1 yet it includes chicken stock. You would want to substitute vegetable stock to make it vegetarian and follow the Daniel Fast, correct?
Yes, you are correct. I mentioned that in the comments section of that post as well. Can't believe I didn't even think about the broth…clearly I'm not vegetarian 🙂 You could even use water instead of broth.
Our bean song goes: Beans, Beans, the musical fruit, the more you eat, the more you toot!
I like this version better as we use the word toot vs. fart 🙂
What size of slow cooker do you use? I have a 6.5 quart size and find that most recipes are written for the 4-quart so my dishes tend to overlook if the crockpot isn't full enough .
I have a 6 qt crock pot (maybe it's 6.5???). That's what I use for the beans. I used to have a 4 qt, but it was just too small for most meats and such. But I dropped it a few months ago and it broke. The 6 qt one works perfect.
I have a 6 qt crock pot (maybe it's 6.5???). That's what I use for the beans. I used to have a 4 qt, but it was just too small for most meats and such. But I dropped it a few months ago and it broke. The 6 qt one works perfect.
Can you freeze this recipe after?
To be honest, I'm not sure. I've never frozen them before. I would think you probably could, but ?? I'm not a huge fan of freezing any meals (although I do sometimes)…I always think they taste/turn out different.
Will the "Hickory" liquid smoke work as well?
Tiffany, yes it will. I actually have that kind in my pantry right now and use it. I think I probably prefer the Mesquite, but both work fine. And since writing this, I add a lot more of the liquid smoke to the beans. Probably about 3 Tbsp. or more
What size can of broth and how much water did you use? Or what size box? Thanks! !
It is a total of 32 oz. of chicken broth. The box is 32 oz. so if you are getting cans, I get 2 regular size cans (15oz) and add a little water if needed.
These are my favorite beans, thank you for the recipe. I’ve been making them for a year or so now and my family loves them.
Thanks Emily! I made these the other day actually. Still my go-to bean recipe. It’s so easy 🙂