What is Crocktober?
Crocktober is the unofficial tradition of breaking out the slow cooker for the season’s first cool-weather meals. As the mornings turn crisp and the evenings get busy, the crockpot earns its keep, filling the house with something that smells like home before you’ve even thought about dinner.
Crocktober is one of our favorite times of year, and our beans are made for it. Low and slow is where they shine, simmering into something creamy, hearty, and full of flavor. Their premium quality means they hold their shape, soak up every bit of seasoning, and reward a little patience with a pot that tastes like home. From Louisiana classics to easy weeknight dinners and tailgate favorites, these six crockpot recipes have you covered.
From Louisiana classics to easy weeknight dinners and tailgate favorites, these six crockpot recipes have you covered.
Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice
The Monday tradition, made even easier. Our Red Kidney Beans simmer all day with the holy trinity, smoked sausage, and Creole seasonings, then get served over fluffy white rice with a few dashes of hot sauce. Pro tip: sauté the trinity and sausage first if you have time, but if you don’t, toss everything in raw and let the slow cooker do its thing.
Where Y’at? White Beans
A New Orleans take on slow-cooker comfort food from Lauren Malone Keller. Our Baby Lima Beans get cozy with andouille, cubed ham, and a hit of crab boil seasoning. It’s the kind of dish that tastes like Sunday at somebody’s grandmother’s house, no matter what day of the week you make it.
Slow Cooker Lima Beans and Ham
Old-school comfort with a Southern soul. Large Lima Beans slow-cook with ham (or bacon, dealer’s choice), tomato soup, dry mustard, and bell pepper for a stick-to-your-ribs supper. Five minutes of prep, eight hours later you’ve got dinner.
Slow Cooker Lentil & Black Bean Taco Soup
A vegetarian-friendly weeknight win. Our Lentils and Black Beans team up with green chiles, fire-roasted tomatoes, and a smoky blend of cumin, chili powder, and paprika. Set out the toppings (cilantro, sharp Cheddar, a dollop of Greek yogurt) and let everyone build their own bowl.
Slow Cooker White Bean & Chicken Chili
Creamy, perfectly seasoned, and built for a crowd. Our Great Northern Beans (or Cannellini Beans, if that’s what you prefer) simmer with chicken, smoky Hatch chiles, and just enough cayenne to keep things interesting. A swirl of cream and a spoonful of masa at the end pulls it all together.
Slow Cooker Cheesy Refried Bean Dip
Crocktober isn’t all about dinner. This one starts with our Pinto Beans, turns them into refried beans, then layers in cream cheese, sour cream, taco seasoning, and a melty blanket of sharp Cheddar and Monterey Jack. Set it out at a tailgate or a porch hang and watch it disappear.
What kind of beans are best for slow cooker recipes?
Dry beans are made for slow cooking. The long, low heat gives them time to soften without falling apart, and they soak up the flavor of whatever you cook them with. Camellia’s Red Kidney Beans, Great Northern Beans, Black Beans, Pinto Beans, and Lima Beans are all crockpot favorites, each one bringing its own personality to the pot.
However Crocktober finds you, whether it’s a busy weeknight, a slow Sunday, or somewhere in between, the slow cooker has a way of making dinner feel easy, cozy, and worth gathering around. Set it, forget it, and come back to a house that smells like fall.