• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Beans and Legumes
    • dairy-free
    • Freezer-friendly
    • Make Ahead Recipes
    • Whole Grain Recipes
  • Weeknight Meals
    • Quick & Easy
    • Slow Cooker
  • Baked Goods and Desserts
    • Breads
    • Cakes and Pastries
    • Cookies
    • Egg-Free Baking
    • Muffins
  • Vegan Recipes
    • Beans and Legumes (V)
    • Breads (v)
    • Breakfast (V)
    • Vegan Cookie Recipes
    • Desserts (v)
    • Mains and Dinners (V)
    • Salads (V)
    • Snacks (v)
    • Soup (V)
    • Whole Grains (V)
  • Gluten-Free Recipes
  • about
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
    • Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy

The In Fine Balance Food Blog logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan
  • WFPB
  • GF
  • Sweet Things
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Recipe index
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Vegetarian
    • Vegan
    • WFPB
    • GF
    • Sweet Things
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
    • Recipe index
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    You are here: Home » Vegan Recipes

    Published: Jan 12, 2016 · Modified: Mar 2, 2020 by Trish · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads ·

    Slow Cooker Black Bean and Barley Burritos

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    A healthy meal made in the slow cooker. Vegan if you skip the cheese and sour cream or stick with vegan alternatives.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time4 hrs
    Total Time4 hrs 10 mins
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 271kcal
    Vegan, Vegetarian
    Slowcooker

    Barley, black beans, and sweet corn come together in an easy, tasty vegan burrito. Make this barley burrito filling in the slow cooker for a quick and healthy weeknight dinner.

    barley, sweet corn and blackbean burritos in a soft tortilla with lime

    We all know how much I love taco and burrito recipes and I really love using my crockpot. This is super quick for a busy weeknight.

    ...or good for dinner on a Sunday after an afternoon spent playing outside in the snow. 

    Make these black bean and barley burritos in the slow-cooker

    This meal comes together quickly, quite literally a dump and forget kind of meal. Everything goes into the crock pot.. black beans, uncooked dried barley, frozen corn, spices, some canned tomatoes with green chillies...

    slowcooker filled with ingredients to make barley and blackbean burritos

    Cooking with Barley

    Barley is one of those ingredients that I have a real hard time with. It's not that I don't like it. I do! But I have so few recipes where it really works. This is one of those recipes where barley works.

    In my opinion, barley needs flavours that can work with its earthy flavour and chewy texture. It's not as easy to work with as rice or quinoa. Barley needs other components that will stand up to it. 

    Which is why I think this recipe works so well. The sweetness of the corn and the bold, Mexican spices let the barley do its thing. Texture. Barley is all about texture. Let other ingredients do the flavour part. 

    Like in this kale and barley bowl, lemon is the predominant flavour. And in this broccoli salad - olives and sundried tomatoes are the strong flavours needed. 

    slowcooker with blackbean and barley burrito filling

    How to make Black Bean, Corn and Barley Burritos

    It's best if you have a slow cooker or crockpot that is programmable for this recipe. Especially if you are getting dinner ready before work in the morning. This burrito filling only needs 4 hours on low heat.

    At 4 hours most of the liquid is absorbed and the barley is perfectly cooked. My crockpot will turn itself to warm when done, holding dinner until we are ready to eat, like this one. Totally taking all the stress out of dinner.

    Once that yummy filling is ready just warm up some soft tortillas, prepare your toppings and dinner is ready. Easy Peasy.

    soft taco shell filled with vegan black bean and barley filling

    Keep this meal vegan by skipping the cheese and sour cream or using dairy-free alternatives. I'm happy without. But this is totally up to you and gives you an easy option to keep everyone happy - vegans, vegetarians, what have you. This recipe is slightly adapted from Cooking Light.

    4.43 from 7 votes

    Crockpot Black Bean and Barley Burritos

    A healthy meal made in the slow cooker. Vegan if you skip the cheese and sour cream or stick with vegan alternatives.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time4 hrs
    Total Time4 hrs 10 mins
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 271kcal

    Required equipment

    • Slowcooker or Crockpot

    Ingredients

    In the Crockpot:

    • 2 cups fat-free lower-sodium organic vegetable broth
    • 1 cup uncooked pearl barley
    • 1 cup frozen whole-kernel corn
    • ¼ cup chopped green onions about 3, white and green parts
    • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice the juice of half of a lime (slice the other half and serve with the burritos)
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • ½ teaspoon ground red pepper
    • 19 oz cooked black beans rinsed and drained, or about 2 cups
    • 540 mls canned diced tomatoes undrained (about 2 cups)
    • 4 oz diced green chiles, undrained (1) 4 oz can
    • 1 clove garlic minced (I add this in the last 15 minutes)
    • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
    • salt to taste

    Toppings:

    • 8-10 8-inch flour tortillas
    • shredded sharp cheddar cheese vegan alternative or your choice
    • thinly sliced lettuce
    • salsa
    • sour cream vegan alternative or your choice
    • Chopped fresh cilantro optional

    Instructions

    • In the base of your slow cooker dump all ingredients up to diced green chillies. Set slow cooker on low heat and cook for about 4 hours, or until barley is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
    • About 15 minutes before serving add minced garlic and fresh cilantro to the crockpot. Taste for salt and adjust if necessary. (This will depend on whether you use low or no sodium beans, tomatoes and stock).
    • To serve, offer toppings - fresh green onions, fresh chopped cilantro, shredded cheese, salsa and sour cream. Fill each burrito with ½ cup to ⅔ cup of filling and add toppings as desired.
    • Leftovers store nicely for 3-4 days refrigerated or in freezer for up to a month.

    Notes

    Nutritional information represents ⅙ of the filling only, excludes toppings and wraps
    There are totally acceptable & yummy vegan alternatives for sour cream and cheese shreds available these days. GIve some a try! Use your favourite.  
    Calories: 271kcal (14%) Carbohydrates: 55g (18%) Protein: 13g (26%) Fat: 1g (2%) Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) Cholesterol: 2mg (1%) Sodium: 237mg (10%) Potassium: 673mg (19%) Fiber: 13g (54%) Sugar: 9g (10%) Vitamin A: 594IU (12%) Vitamin C: 14mg (17%) Calcium: 159mg (16%) Iron: 3mg (17%)
    Trish Cowper | The infinebalance Food Blog
    Tried this recipe?Mention @infinebalance or tag #infinebalance!

    More barley recipes

    • Lemon Barley with Kale | the infinebalance food blog
      Lemon Barley with Kale Bowls
    • Broccoli with Barley

    More Vegan Recipes

    • Carrot Cashew Paté
    • Apple Butter Bars (vegan)
    • Healthy Vegan Oatmeal Cookies with Dark Chocolate
    • Vegan Cream of Celery Soup

    The latest recipes

    top side view of dark chocolate pot de creme with whipped cream and chocolate covered espresso beans

    Dark Chocolate Pots de Creme with Espresso

    roasted banana bundt cake with vanilla glaze on a white table

    Roasted Banana Cake with Spiced Rum

    dark chocolate blondies with walnuts on parchment paper

    Dark Chocolate Walnut Blondies

    a chip dipping into a hot and cheezy spinach and artichoke dip

    The best hot artichoke dip

    chia seed pudding in 2 glass jars with blueberries, strawberries and kiwi

    Easy Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding

    Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a reply: Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Bernice Hill says

      March 06, 2020 at 4:20 pm

      Barley is delicious and satisfying! I think these would be a great Meatless Monday taco option.

      Reply
    2. Kristen says

      March 07, 2020 at 12:04 pm

      These sound delicious. I would never have thought to do barley, but we always have some in our house so I’ll definitely be giving these a try. My daughter loves beans and anything that resembles a taco so I’m sure these will be a hit!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Trish Cowper

    Hi. I'm Trish.

    I'm a curious home cook, just as enthusiastic about healthy ingredients and whole foods as I am about cookies.

    more about me →

    Popular

    • Dark Chocolate Pots de Creme with Espresso
    • Roasted Banana Cake with Spiced Rum
    • Dark Chocolate Walnut Blondies
    • The best hot artichoke dip
    • Easy Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding
    • Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole
    • Make-Ahead Kale Salad
    • Raspberry Lemon Muffins

    • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Privacy Policy
      • Cookie Policy
      • Disclosures
    • Disclaimer

    recent posts

    • Dark Chocolate Pots de Creme with Espresso
    • Roasted Banana Cake with Spiced Rum
    • Dark Chocolate Walnut Blondies
    • The best hot artichoke dip
    • Easy Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding
    Trish Cowper

    Hi. I'm Trish.

    I'm a curious home cook, just as enthusiastic about healthy ingredients and whole foods as I am about cookies.

    more about me →

    Popular

    • Perfect Lemon Muffins
    • Spiced Cranberry Rum Sauce
    • Tahini and Greek Yogurt Dip
    • Mediterranean Eggplant Stew
    • Strawberry Banana Jam
    • High Protein Pasta and Carrot Salad with Cumin
    • Carrot Mash with Miso
    • Easy Baked Tofu Recipe

    Footer

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme

    7ads6x98y