Slow Cooker Black Bean Tacos check all the boxes - ✅ delicious, ✅hands-off ✅ budget friendly! Made with dried black beans, salsa, and simple pantry staples, this easy crockpot recipe requires zero soaking and delivers big flavor with minimal effort.
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📝Shopping list
There are ingredients you'll need to make this taco Tuesday recipe. For quantities and full preparation instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
- Dried black beans
- Chunky salsa -mild, medium, or spicy based on your preference
- Diced onion - my lazy self buys them already cut up!
- Diced green chili
- Taco seasoning - use store bought or make your own (recipe below)
- Garlic - minced garlic from the jar or freshly minced are both great
- Broth - vegetable or onion broth keep this dish plant-based. Chicken broth is delicious too.
💜Why you will love your slow cooker for this recipe
- Hands-free cooking - just toss the ingredients in a greased slow cooker and walk away. No babysitting required
- Budget-friendly - dried black beans are one of the most economical proteins around
- Plant-based & better for you - naturally vegan and filling. It is the perfect meatless Monday slow cooker meal.
- Perfect for meal prep - makes enough for leftovers or freezing
Preparing Your Slow Cooker
Prepare your slow cooker by coating it with a non-stick agent. Any nonstick cooking spray or oil will work. Olive oil and avocado oil are my go-to coatings.
NOTE: Some slow cooker inserts come with a nonstick surface. Use of a non-stick agent is still suggested. However, oil is sometimes recommended rather than spray to protect the longevity of the non-stick surface. Check your slow cooker's manual if you have any concerns.
Alternatively, you can choose to use a slow cooker liner to make these crockpot black bean tacos.
Get Cooking
- 🫘 Start by rinsing your beans. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP. Dried beans can be covered in dirt and dust. Discard any small stones and off-color beans that may be in the bag after rinsing.
- 🫘 Add beans and all other ingredients to a greased slow cooker and give it a good stir
- 🫘 Cover your slow cooker and cook on high for 5-6 hours.
- 🫘 Test beans to make sure they are soft and ready to eat prior to serving. Undercooked beans can cause food poisoning. Test beans by pressing between two fingers. The inside should be soft and creamy.
- 🫘 Served finished beans in your favorite warm tortillas or taco shells! These delicious black beans make a great vegetarian option on diy taco bars.
🍋🟩Bean taco topping ideas
Some of our favorite toppings for slow cooker black beans recipe are:
- Sour cream
- Cojita cheese
- Shredded lettuce
- Sliced jalapenos
- A squeeze of fresh lime juice
- Diced red onions
- Guacamole/avocados
Alternative serving idea
Serve this dried black bean recipe in bowls over rice or cauliflower rice.
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🔁Substitution suggestions
- Not a fan of black beans? Dried pinto beans or dried navy beans are both good substitutions. Pinto beans will have about the same cooking time, but navy beans will need an extra hour or so.
- Would you rather use canned beans? You can still make these amazing slow cooker black bean tacos. They should be ready to serve in 2-3 hours on high or 4-6 on low.
- Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic
- Use hot salsa or red pepper flakes to dial up the heat
- Toss in diced bell peppers, zucchini, or fresh corn kernels during the last half hour of cooking for a veggie boost.
Storing
The best way to store leftovers is in an airtight container. They refrigerate beautifully for 4-5 days. Or, freeze beans for up to 3 months.
Defrost frozen beans overnight in the refrigerator before gently reheating.
😉Hints & hacks
- Looking to feed a large family? Just double this black bean taco filling recipe. Cooking time shouldn't change, but that will depend a bit on your slow cooker. Check beans carefully to ensure they are all fully cooked before serving.
- This easy plant-based slow cooker recipe is terrific any day of the week. It can stay on the warm setting in your slow cooker. Perfect for when your people will be eating at different times.
- If you are a bean fan, you will also love pumpkin chili, Madras Lentils, and (my favorite) pizza beans!
- I always recommend the use of a slow cooker liner. Of course, this is an optional step. I like to purchase my liners in bulk for a less expensive per-piece price.
- In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine!
- Always double-check to make sure your slow cooker is on and plugged in!!! Coming home to a cold slow cooker is the worst! 🙄
❓FAQ
Nope! This recipe is designed for unsoaked dried black beans, saving you time and effort. Just rinse and go.
No! Dried black turtle beans should not be used in a slow cooker.
Kidney beans contain a toxic compound that is only killed off at very high temperatures. Generally slow cookers do not reach a high enough temperature to destroy this compound.
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📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Black Bean Tacos
(Click on the stars to leave a rating)
Print Pin Rate SaveAll nutrition information shown here is automatically generated and should be considered an estimate. If you follow a specific diet, please calculate your own values to ensure accuracy.
Equipment
- 3.5 quart slow cooker or larger
Ingredients
- 16 oz dried black beans rinsed and drained
- 15 oz chunky salsa spice level based on your preference
- 1 cup diced onion
- 7 oz can diced green chili
- ⅓ cup taco seasoning see below for homemade taco seasoning recipe
- 1½ tablespoon minced garlic
- 4 cups vegetable broth can use chicken (not plant-based) or onion
Instructions
- Rinse beans over a sink to remove dirt and check for stones or other foreign particles
- Add 16 oz dried black beans (rinsed), 15 oz chunky salsa, 1 cup diced onion, 7 oz can diced green chili, ⅓ cup taco seasoning, 1½ tablespoon minced garlic, and 4 cups vegetable broths to a greased slow cooker
- Stir to combine and cover
- Cook on high for 5-6 hours on high
- Stir and serve in taco shells with your favorite taco topping (see above for suggestions)
Final Step
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Notes
- 4 tablespoons chili powder
- 1.5 tablespoons cumin
- 1.5 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried cilantro
Nutrition
All nutrition information shown here is automatically generated and should be considered an estimate. If you follow a specific diet, please calculate your own values to ensure accuracy.
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