Crockpot Bean Soup

[greenT]

The ingredient amounts listed are waaay too much for a 3.5 qt. crockpot- about half would work fine (I ended up scooping out half and recooking it later).  Great soup though, and packed with beany goodness that your body will remind you about for days! 

[FiveFootNufn]

To eliminate post-bean gas always rinse canned beans before cooking and when using dried beans, soak them for at least 8 hours (aka overnight). This will get rid of the bean's sugars and THAT is what causes gas, etc.

[NancyLee]

My attempt at this came out horribly  I had bought a bag of mixed beans at the spice shop just because they were pretty but with no idea what to do with them. When I saw this recipe I was thrilled. I didn't soak the beans (as per the recipe saying I didn't need to) and they cooked (most of the time simmering) in my crock pot for nearly 10 hours. It looked good, it smelled like minestrone but it was so horribly bitter that I had to throw it out and we ordered pizza. What happened?

[FiveFootNufn]

Wow, I am not sure because when I made this it was delicious and I added all kinds of things I had sitting around my kitchen. My hypothesis is the beans you bought were the culprit? That is the only thing I can think of...any other guesses out there?

[NancyLee]

Wow, I am not sure because when I made this it was delicious and I added all kinds of things I had sitting around my kitchen. My hypothesis is the beans you bought were the culprit? That is the only thing I can think of...any other guesses out there?

The beans that were in there (that I remember) are small 1/2 rounds green (peas), small 1/2 rounds yellow, small blacks, red kidney beans, white beans with red speckling. I threw the wrapper out. Is there a site that "spells out" all the different types of beans with photos and flavors? 

[ilivetowrite]

Wow, I am not sure because when I made this it was delicious and I added all kinds of things I had sitting around my kitchen. My hypothesis is the beans you bought were the culprit? That is the only thing I can think of...any other guesses out there?

The beans that were in there (that I remember) are small 1/2 rounds green (peas), small 1/2 rounds yellow, small blacks, red kidney beans, white beans with red speckling. I threw the wrapper out. Is there a site that "spells out" all the different types of beans with photos and flavors? 

I just tried this with that same bean mix... It's in the pot now. I'll let you know how it turns out. I did soak the beans first, but didn't cook them.

[NancyLee]

Wow, I am not sure because when I made this it was delicious and I added all kinds of things I had sitting around my kitchen. My hypothesis is the beans you bought were the culprit? That is the only thing I can think of...any other guesses out there?

The beans that were in there (that I remember) are small 1/2 rounds green (peas), small 1/2 rounds yellow, small blacks, red kidney beans, white beans with red speckling. I threw the wrapper out. Is there a site that "spells out" all the different types of beans with photos and flavors? 

I just tried this with that same bean mix... It's in the pot now. I'll let you know how it turns out. I did soak the beans first, but didn't cook them.

Looking forward to how it came out. Maybe I was supposed to soak the beans first....I just might have taken "dry" too literal?

[Kates211]

My attempt at this came out horribly  I had bought a bag of mixed beans at the spice shop just because they were pretty but with no idea what to do with them. When I saw this recipe I was thrilled. I didn't soak the beans (as per the recipe saying I didn't need to) and they cooked (most of the time simmering) in my crock pot for nearly 10 hours. It looked good, it smelled like minestrone but it was so horribly bitter that I had to throw it out and we ordered pizza. What happened?

For some reason, I always have to pre-cook beans before using them...they just don't cook in my crockpot with other stuff.  No clue why.  I just do a bunch at once - I soak about 3-4 bags worth overnight, then cook them in two rounds in my crockpot.  Fill your crockpot about half full with beans (maybe a little bit less) and fill water to about 3/4 full.  Set it on low and leave it for about 9 hours.  Then, drain and rinse the beans and package them, about 2 cups to a bag, in quart-size freezer bags.  (Each one of these is about 15-16 oz, the equivalent of a can without all the slimy stuff that comes with it.)  Then, when you want to use them, just grab a bag and dump them in whatever it is.  If it's a crock recipe, they'll thaw and act just like canned beans; if it's a quick soup or something, allow a few extra moments for thawing.

I think I'm going to try this recipe over the weekend.  We're gluten-free, so I'll use quinoa instead of pearled barley, but the rest looks yummy!  Thanks!

[ilivetowrite]

Wow, I am not sure because when I made this it was delicious and I added all kinds of things I had sitting around my kitchen. My hypothesis is the beans you bought were the culprit? That is the only thing I can think of...any other guesses out there?

The beans that were in there (that I remember) are small 1/2 rounds green (peas), small 1/2 rounds yellow, small blacks, red kidney beans, white beans with red speckling. I threw the wrapper out. Is there a site that "spells out" all the different types of beans with photos and flavors? 

I just tried this with that same bean mix... It's in the pot now. I'll let you know how it turns out. I did soak the beans first, but didn't cook them.

Looking forward to how it came out. Maybe I was supposed to soak the beans first....I just might have taken "dry" too literal?

Oops, sorry, completely forgot to come back and say that it turned out superb. I believe soaking them was the key.

[ximmortalkitten]

Would someone be able to give me a better time estimate? I know most crock-pot recipes are 6-8 hours.. but I saw someone put 10 hours (at least I think that's what I saw). It sounds awesome and I really want to try it! I think I'm going to try presoaking, or using canned beans, even if it's just a quick soak.