How Long Do Beans Take To Cook In The Crockpot

Beans take about 6 to 8 hours to cook in a crockpot on low, or 3 to 4 hours on high, depending on the type and size of the bean.
 
If you’ve been wondering how long do beans take to cook in the crockpot, the honest answer is that it varies a bit based on what kind of beans you’re working with and whether you soaked them first.
 
That said, the crockpot is one of the easiest ways to cook beans because you can set it and forget it while the slow heat does all the work.
 
In this post, we’ll cover exactly how long beans take to cook in the crockpot, the best methods for getting them tender, and a few mistakes that can leave you with stubborn, crunchy beans.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

How Long Do Beans Take to Cook in the Crockpot?

Beans take anywhere from 3 to 8 hours to cook in the crockpot, and here’s what determines the timing:
 

1. Cooking on Low vs. High

On low heat, beans take about 6 to 8 hours to cook in the crockpot, which is perfect if you’re heading to work and want dinner ready when you get home.
 
On high heat, beans take roughly 3 to 4 hours to cook in the crockpot, which works great if you’re home and want them done sooner.
 
The low setting gives beans a creamier texture, while high heat is faster but can sometimes make the skins split a little more.
 

2. Soaked vs. Unsoaked Beans

If you soak your beans overnight, they’ll take about 6 hours on low to cook in the crockpot.
 
Unsoaked beans take closer to 8 hours on low, since the crockpot has to soften them from scratch.
 
Soaking also helps beans cook more evenly and makes them easier to digest, which is a nice bonus.
 

3. The Type of Bean Matters

Smaller beans like black beans and navy beans tend to cook faster, usually around 6 hours on low.
 
Larger beans like kidney beans, pinto beans, and chickpeas take closer to 8 hours on low to fully soften.
 
So when you ask how long do beans take to cook in the crockpot, the type of bean you’re using is one of the biggest factors.
 

How to Cook Beans in the Crockpot Perfectly

Getting beans tender and flavorful in the crockpot comes down to a few simple steps:
 

1. Rinse and Sort Your Beans

Always rinse your beans and pick out any small stones or shriveled ones before they go in the crockpot.
 
This takes just a minute and saves you from biting into something unpleasant later.
 

2. Add Enough Liquid

Beans need plenty of water or broth to cook properly in the crockpot, so use about 3 cups of liquid for every cup of dried beans.
 
The beans will absorb a lot of that liquid as they cook, so don’t be shy with it.
 

3. Season at the Right Time

Add aromatics like onion, garlic, and bay leaves at the start so the beans soak up all that flavor while they cook in the crockpot.
 
Hold off on adding salt until the beans are tender, since salt added too early can keep beans from softening properly.
 

4. Skip the Acid Until the End

Ingredients like tomatoes, lemon juice, and vinegar can slow down how long beans take to cook in the crockpot.
 
Stir those in during the last 30 minutes of cooking so your beans still get tender.
 

5. Check for Doneness

Around the 6-hour mark, start testing your beans by tasting one or two.
 
They’re done when they’re soft all the way through but still hold their shape.
 
If they’re still firm, keep cooking and check again every 30 minutes.
 

Common Mistakes When Cooking Beans in the Crockpot

Even though beans are simple to cook in the crockpot, a few common mistakes can throw off your timing:
 

1. Using Old Beans

Beans that have been sitting in your pantry for years take much longer to cook in the crockpot, and sometimes they never fully soften.
 
Always use beans that are less than a year or two old for the best results.
 

2. Overfilling the Crockpot

Beans expand as they cook, so filling the crockpot more than halfway with dry beans can lead to a messy overflow.
 
Give them room to grow and your cooking time will stay predictable.
 

3. Opening the Lid Too Often

Every time you lift the lid, heat escapes and adds extra time to how long beans take to cook in the crockpot.
 
Resist the urge to peek and let the crockpot do its thing.
 

4. Skipping the Soak on Big Beans

Large beans like kidney beans really benefit from an overnight soak, otherwise they can take 10 hours or more to cook in the crockpot.
 
If you’re short on time, at least do a quick soak by boiling them for a few minutes and letting them sit for an hour.
 

So, How Long Do Beans Take to Cook in the Crockpot?

Beans take about 6 to 8 hours to cook in the crockpot on low, or 3 to 4 hours on high.
 
Soaked beans cook faster, smaller beans finish sooner, and unsoaked large beans take the longest.
 
With the right liquid, seasonings, and a little patience, your crockpot beans will come out tender, creamy, and full of flavor every single time.
 
Hope this post has helped you figure out exactly how long beans take to cook in the crockpot so your next batch turns out perfectly.