Easy + AMAZING Slow Cooker Charro Beans

• servings: 8 servings
• active time: 20 minutes
• total time: 10 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 pound bacon

1 pound dried pinto beans

4 cups water

2 cups beef broth

6 cloves garlic (minced)

Fresh jalapeno (diced, optional)

1 tablespoon cumin

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes & green chiles (such as Rotel)

1 cup fresh cilantro leaves (chopped)

Salt & freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Cook the bacon until crispy. Drain, chop, and set aside.

Place the beans in a colander, rinse well, and remove any stones or shriveled beans.

Pour the beans into a large slow cooker. Cover with water and beef broth. Add chopped bacon, garlic, jalapeño (if using), cumin, garlic powder, and chili powder; stir to combine. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours (or on HIGH for 4 to 6 hours) or until almost done.

Stir in the Rotel and chopped cilantro; cover and cook for an additional hour or until tender (the total cooking time on LOW will likely be between 9 to 11 hours, depending on how hot your particular slow cooker runs). When the beans are done, season with salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste (stir in 1/2 teaspoon of salt at a time, tasting before adding more).

Nutrition

• Calories: 289 kcal
• Total Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.02 g
• Cholesterol: 11 mg
• Sodium: 247 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 39 g
• Dietary Fiber: 10 g
• Total Sugars: 3 g
• Protein: 16 g