Green beans are commonly cooked on the stove by steaming, boiling, or even sautéing. However, these aren’t the only options available to a person. Green beans can also be cooked in a slow cooker, such as a Crock-Pot®. There are a variety of Crock-Pot® green bean recipes available, all of which produce tender green beans. Although there are many different brands of slow cookers, many people refer to all green beans cooked in them as Crock-Pot® green beans, even if they use a different brand.
A Crock-Pot® is a type of slow cooker, which means it cooks food much more slowly than stovetop cooking. It also cooks at a lower temperature, which some people believe allows the flavors of the ingredients to blend well. Many different types of food can be cooked in a slow cooker, and many of them require cooking time of eight or more hours on low or four to six hours on high. Cooking green beans this way can take anywhere from four to six hours. However, some people cook them for longer periods of time without affecting the taste or texture of the cooked beans significantly.
Crock-Pot® Green beans are typically a low-maintenance vegetable. In general, all one needs to do is put green beans in a pot with water and cut them in half. He or she may also season to taste with seasonings. Other ingredients, such as onions or smoked meat, are sometimes added to enhance the flavor of the dish. To make the green bean dish more filling, a cook could add potatoes.
After adding the desired ingredients to the pot, the cook can cover it, plug it in, and set it to low. The cook can then go about his or her daily routine without having to worry about the green beans. In fact, cooking experts generally advise against lifting the lid of the Crock-Pot® to check on the food or stir it because this allows steam to escape, potentially increasing the cooking time.
When cooking Crock-Pot® green beans, some people use very little water, if any at all. These vegetables can be cooked without the use of water if broth or a sauce is used instead. Some people even use barbecue sauce to cook Crock-Pot® green beans.