Instructions

1. Rinse the black beans, sift through them for small stones or other debris and put them in a large pot with about three times as much cold water as beans. Bring to a boil. Once the beans begin to boil, reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Take the beans off the heat, cover, and let them sit in the warm cooking water for about 10 minutes.

2. Peel and coarsely chop one yellow onion and cut a couple of slices of bacon into about 1-inch pieces. If you prefer fatback or salt pork, cut off the tough rind if it’s present and cube the meat. Salt pork is fatback that has been preserved with salt. Brown the bacon, fatback or salt pork in a small skillet. The meat adds flavor, but leaving it out for vegetarians won’t harm the dish.

3. Pour the beans and their cooking liquid into the Crock-Pot. Add the onion, the browned meat and any rendered fat. Season the beans with salt and black pepper. Season the beans to taste, if you prefer, with garlic, chopped chili or sage.

4. Set the Crock-Pot on low and let the beans cook for 4 to 6 hours, until they’re cooked to your taste.