Slow Cooker Mexican Quinoa & Black Beans
 
Prep time
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This has been a favorite at our house for some time now. I found the original recipe on Pinterest, but have just tweaked it a little here and there. I also double the recipe because it makes great leftovers. I like to serve this with some tortilla chips, cilantro, avocado and vegan sour cream, but we've also been known to scoop it into a warm flour or corn tortilla with all fixins' like tomato, cilantro, avocado, etc. It's so easy to make; just toss in a slow cooker and it's ready in about 3 hours. (And it's gluten-free!) You can sub in any other kind of bean, such as kidney or chili beans, but I also think some lentils would be perfect too. And why not throw in a diced red bell pepper? The possibilities are endless!
Author:
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 2 15-oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 3 C vegetable broth
  • 1-1/2 C tri-color quinoa
  • 1 C salsa
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 tsp cumin
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1-1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Zest and juice from 1 lime
  • 1-2 avocados, peeled, pitted and cubed
  • 1 C fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Vegan sour cream
  • Corn tortilla chips
  • Optional: flour tortillas or corn taco shells
Directions
  1. Combine the beans, broth, quinoa, salsa, bay leaves, cumin, salt, and garlic powder in a slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 3 to 3-1/2 hours. If you can, stir it around once or twice.
  2. Once done, stir in the lime zest and juice.
  3. Season individual servings with pepper and top with avocado, cilantro and sour cream. Enjoy with tortilla chips.
Recipe by Epicurean Vegan at http://epicureanvegan.com/2014/10/04/slow-cooker-mexican-quinoa-black-beans/