You can cook in a crock-pot if you wish. Feel free to use any beans you like. The original recipe used great northern, chili and pork n beans. If you don't like your soup thick, you can add the corn & beans undrained. If you can't find or don't have mexican stewed tomatoes, regular are ok to use. You can cut up the stewed tomatoes if you prefer smaller pieces. I have used diced and petite diced tomatoes when making this soup instead of stewed tomatoes and liked it as well. This recipe is very adaptable!