Recipe: Slow Cooker Black Bean Enchiladas (2024)

  • Recipes
  • Main Dishes
  • Casseroles

Emma Christensen

Emma Christensen

Emma is a former editor for The Kitchn and a graduate of the Cambridge School for Culinary Arts. She is the author of True Brews and Brew Better Beer. Check out her website for more cooking stories

updated May 2, 2019

Be the first to leave a review!

Recipe: Slow Cooker Black Bean Enchiladas (1)

An easy recipe for slow cooker enchiladas with black beans and cheese. Vegetarian.

Serves6 to 8

Jump to Recipe

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Black Bean Enchiladas (2)

This dish might not win any beauty contests, but I’ll say this: it’s seriously good. The tortillas get soft and chewy during cooking, absorbing some of the salsa and becoming the perfect vehicle for beans, corns, and lots of melted cheese. (And isn’t it all about the melty cheese, really?)

These slow cooker enchiladas are one of my go-to meals when I’m out of ideas and have some bits and leftovers to use up, and they always hit the spot.

I also like that this is a classic dump-and-cook slow-cooker recipe. It only requires you to mix the filling and roll up the tortillas before plugging in the cooker and walking away. The onions soften during cooking and the flavors have plenty of time to meld. It’s perfect for times when I don’t want to dirty a lot of dishes or deal with an extra step of pre-cooking vegetables.

Tester’s Notes

These enchiladas are a personal favorite. They’re not the kind of thing I’d serve to guests — things get a bit messy and less-than-photogenic when served from the slow cooker — but they are most definitely the kind of thing I adore eating when it’s just me, my husband, and a good movie to watch on the couch.

Some of you who’ve made this recipe over the years describe it as “mushy but delicious,” and I have to agree with that assessment. Using tortillas that are a few days old and a little stale helps with this situation, and flour tortillas hold up better than corn tortillas. But, to be completely honest, I kind of love that slightly mushy, chewy quality! It sounds like such a negative, I know, but this feels like comfort food to me. These enchiladas are the perfect meal to scoop onto a plate and take to the couch. From your comments and feedback, I know many of you agree!

On the other hand, if you’d prefer more classic enchiladas (and I respect that), I recommend baking this recipe in the oven instead of the slow cooker. There are instructions for this at the end of the recipe below.

Either way, I do hope you enjoy this recipe. Pick a night when the weather keeps you inside and you have a good movie that’s waiting to be watched. Enjoy!

Emma, March 2015

Comments

Slow-Cooker Black Bean Enchiladas

An easy recipe for slow cooker enchiladas with black beans and cheese. Vegetarian.

Serves 6 to 8

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 1

    small yellow onion (or 1/2 large onion), diced small

  • 1

    sweet bell pepper, diced small

  • 1

    (16-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

  • 1 cup

    frozen corn kernels

  • 2 teaspoons

    chili powder

  • 1 teaspoon

    ground cumin

  • 1 teaspoon

    kosher salt

  • 1 1/2 cups

    shredded Monterey Jack, colby, or other melting cheese, divided

  • 2

    (16-ounce) jars salsa, any kind

  • 12 to 15

    medium (6-inch or so) flour tortillas

  • Optional: 1 cup leftover meat or extra veggies — chicken, pork, hamburger, beef, baked tofu, or roasted vegetables

Instructions

  1. Place the onion, bell pepper, black beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, salt, 1/2 cup of the cheese, and meat (if using) in a medium bowl and stir to combine. Spread about 1 cup of the salsa over the bottom of a 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker, enough to evenly coat the bottom with a bit of sauce.

  2. Fill each of the tortillas with about 1/3 cup of the filling, roll them up as tightly as you can, and pack them seam-side down in a single layer into the bottom of the slow cooker. Don't worry if some filling falls out — just tuck it back in once you've set the tortilla down.

  3. When you complete the first layer (you will make 3 layers), spread about another cup of salsa over the top and sprinkle with about 1/2 cup of the remaining cheese. Continue rolling the remaining tortillas with the remaining filling to make one more layer; if you have leftover filling, sprinkle this over the top. Finish by pouring the 1 cup of the salsa evenly over the top of the enchiladas. Reserve the last 1/2 cup of cheese to add later.

  4. Cover and cook on HIGH the setting for 2 to 4 hours. In the last 15 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese over the top, re-cover the slow cooker, and finish cooking. Serve the enchiladas with any remaining salsa.

Recipe Notes

Gluten-free enchiladas: Use gluten-free corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas. These tortillas tend to fall apart a bit more during cooking, but I've tried them and the dish is still just as tasty!

Cooking on LOW: You can cook the enchiladas for longer (6 to 8 hours on the LOW setting), but I find that the tortillas in the middle start to get very mushy while the ones touching the sides of the cooker get crispy. Still tasty, though!

Oven-baked enchiladas: To cook these enchiladas in the oven, layer the rolled tortillas in a 9x13-inch baking dish and cover with aluminum foil. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with cheese, and bake uncovered for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the dish is bubbling.

Smaller slow cookers: To make this recipe in a smaller (3-quart or so) slow cooker, halve the recipe and make 3 layers instead of 2.

Doubling the recipe: If your slow cooker is large enough, you can also double the recipe. Just continue creating layers in the slow cooker and bake as usual.

Storage: Leftovers will keep for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.

Filed in:

beans

Canned Goods

Casserole

Cheese

Cooking Methods

easy

Recipe: Slow Cooker Black Bean Enchiladas (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to non soggy enchiladas? ›

To prevent your tortillas from tearing or becoming soggy, quickly fry each corn tortilla in any oil you like for about 10 seconds on each side, until it starts to get crispy but is still pliable. This will add a barrier that will keep the tortilla from absorbing too much sauce, and also adds a little extra flavor.

Can you pre make enchiladas or will they get soggy? ›

If you would like to make a pan of enchiladas in advance, follow the recipe instructions through step 3 (assembling the enchiladas). Wrap the pan tightly with foil. Then you can either refrigerate the enchiladas for up to 3 days, then bake as directed.

How do you keep enchiladas from getting hard on the bottom? ›

Some recipes suggest spreading a little sauce (½ cup for a 3-quart baking dish) on the bottom of the pan before adding enchiladas. This keeps the tortillas from sticking to the pan or getting tough on the bottom.

Why do my enchiladas turn to mush? ›

If you are actually following a quality enchilada recipe, you should have already dipped your tortillas into your chosen sauce before baking. This process softens the tortilla and infuses it with flavor, so if you just dump the rest of the good stuff on top of your dish before baking, you are begging for a soggy mess.

Are enchiladas better with corn or flour? ›

Tortillas: Corn tortillas are traditionally used in Mexican-style enchiladas, but I typically use flour tortillas (which are more commonly used in Tex-Mex and American-style enchiladas) since they are much easier to roll. That said, just about any style of tortillas will work in this recipe.

Is it better to cook enchiladas covered or uncovered? ›

Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, until the enchiladas are cooked through and the tortillas are slightly crispy on the outside. Transfer the baking dish to a wire baking rack. Serve. Serve the enchiladas immediately while they're nice and hot and melty, garnished with lots of fresh toppings.

What makes enchiladas taste better? ›

1. Spice Up Your Life. Enchiladas typically rely on red, green, or brown sauces (brown being the Tex-Mex style featuring a mix of gravy and chiles). Whether you use tomato, tomatillos, or just the peppers themselves as the base, make sure your sauce is a good consistency–about that of cream–and has some nice kick.

How to keep flour tortillas from getting soggy when making enchiladas? ›

Adding your tortillas intoan already-warm pan instead of a cold one will help them start cooking and getting crispy right away, rather than risking sogginess. Make sure that you lightly grease your dish, which will help keep the tortillas from sticking to the pan.

Which is better for enchiladas, white or yellow corn tortillas? ›

Compared to its yellow counterpart, white corn tortillas tend to be softer with a more tender texture. They also have a higher moisture content, which makes them more pliable. These corn tortillas can be easily rolled and folded without cracking or breaking — ideal for enchiladas and flautas.

Do you put enchilada sauce before or after cooking? ›

After you fry the tortillas, dip both sides in your delicious sauce and cover the entire surface. Then stuff and roll.

How to make enchiladas crunchy? ›

Instead, I wrap the tortillas in a damp kitchen towel and microwave them for about 10 seconds. They come out soft and flexible, easy to roll up without cracking. Leave the edges of the tortillas bare. That way, they'll crisp up in the oven, offering a great crunchy contrast to the gooey enchilada middles.

What are the best tortillas to use for enchiladas? ›

Enchiladas are typically made with corn tortillas. I like Mission brand Super Soft White Corn Tortillas, though you can use the brand you like best.

How to make corn tortillas soft for enchiladas? ›

Wrap a stack of tortillas in damp paper towels or a damp kitchen towel, then wrap in plastic wrap or place in a microwave-safe resealable plastic bag (keep the bag open to vent). Microwave until warm and flexible, about 1 minute.

How do you make enchiladas without falling apart? ›

To make enchiladas, get some oil in a skillet or frying pan, get it hot (but not smoking hot), and heat the tortilla in the hot oil for a few seconds each side. Put the tortilla in a plate and remove the excess oil with a paper napkin. If you do this, when you roll the enchiladas the tortilla will not break.

How do you fix watery enchilada sauce? ›

Or alternately, you can thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry (equal parts cold water and cornstarch whisked together, then added to the sauce once it has reached a simmer). Storage instructions: Let the sauce cool to room temperature.

How to keep tortillas from getting soggy in the fridge? ›

Parchment paper or wax paper is ideal for wrapping up your wrap when complete, as it not only keeps the wrap shaped correctly but it also allows it to breathe which prevents moisture build-up that makes wraps soggy.

Top Articles
Pan-Fried Cantonese Noodles Recipe | Little Spice Jar
Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes & Recipes
Spasa Parish
Rentals for rent in Maastricht
159R Bus Schedule Pdf
Sallisaw Bin Store
Black Adam Showtimes Near Maya Cinemas Delano
Espn Transfer Portal Basketball
Pollen Levels Richmond
11 Best Sites Like The Chive For Funny Pictures and Memes
Things to do in Wichita Falls on weekends 12-15 September
Craigslist Pets Huntsville Alabama
Paulette Goddard | American Actress, Modern Times, Charlie Chaplin
What's the Difference Between Halal and Haram Meat & Food?
R/Skinwalker
Rugged Gentleman Barber Shop Martinsburg Wv
Jennifer Lenzini Leaving Ktiv
Ems Isd Skyward Family Access
Elektrische Arbeit W (Kilowattstunden kWh Strompreis Berechnen Berechnung)
Omni Id Portal Waconia
Kellifans.com
Banned in NYC: Airbnb One Year Later
Four-Legged Friday: Meet Tuscaloosa's Adoptable All-Stars Cub & Pickle
Model Center Jasmin
Ice Dodo Unblocked 76
Is Slatt Offensive
Labcorp Locations Near Me
Storm Prediction Center Convective Outlook
Experience the Convenience of Po Box 790010 St Louis Mo
Fungal Symbiote Terraria
modelo julia - PLAYBOARD
Abby's Caribbean Cafe
Joanna Gaines Reveals Who Bought the 'Fixer Upper' Lake House and Her Favorite Features of the Milestone Project
Tri-State Dog Racing Results
Navy Qrs Supervisor Answers
Trade Chart Dave Richard
Lincoln Financial Field Section 110
Free Stuff Craigslist Roanoke Va
Stellaris Resolution
Wi Dept Of Regulation & Licensing
Pick N Pull Near Me [Locator Map + Guide + FAQ]
Crystal Westbrooks Nipple
Ice Hockey Dboard
Über 60 Prozent Rabatt auf E-Bikes: Aldi reduziert sämtliche Pedelecs stark im Preis - nur noch für kurze Zeit
Wie blocke ich einen Bot aus Boardman/USA - sellerforum.de
Infinity Pool Showtimes Near Maya Cinemas Bakersfield
Hooda Math—Games, Features, and Benefits — Mashup Math
Dermpathdiagnostics Com Pay Invoice
How To Use Price Chopper Points At Quiktrip
Maria Butina Bikini
Busted Newspaper Zapata Tx
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Golda Nolan II

Last Updated:

Views: 6440

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Golda Nolan II

Birthday: 1998-05-14

Address: Suite 369 9754 Roberts Pines, West Benitaburgh, NM 69180-7958

Phone: +522993866487

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Shopping, Quilting, Cooking, Homebrewing, Leather crafting, Pet

Introduction: My name is Golda Nolan II, I am a thoughtful, clever, cute, jolly, brave, powerful, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.