Ham and Beans

Here’s a hearty, old-fashioned recipe for Ham and Beans — simple, comforting, and perfect for using up leftover ham or a ham bone. This one-pot meal is traditionally made with dry white beans (like navy or great northern), but you can adapt it to canned beans for a faster version.

🫘 Ham and Beans (Stovetop or Crock Pot)

🕒 Cook Time:

• Stovetop: 2–2.5 hours

• Slow Cooker: 6–8 hours on low

🍽️ Serves: 6–8

Ingredients

• 1 lb dry navy beans or great northern beans (or 3 cans, drained)

• 1 meaty ham bone, ham hock, or 2–3 cups diced cooked ham

• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 carrots, diced (optional)

• 2 celery stalks, diced (optional)

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 bay leaf

• 6–8 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 1 tsp dried thyme or 1 tbsp chopped fresh (optional)

• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional for a little kick)

Instructions

🔹 Step 1: Soak the Beans (If using dry)

• Rinse and sort beans.

• Quick soak method: Boil beans in water for 2 minutes, remove from heat, cover, and soak 1 hour.

• Or soak overnight in cold water. Drain before using.

🔹 Step 2: Cook

Stovetop Method:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, sauté onion, carrots, and celery (if using) in a bit of oil until soft (5–7 minutes).

2. Add garlic, stir for 30 seconds.

3. Add soaked beans, ham bone or ham, bay leaf, thyme, and enough water/broth to cover by 2 inches.

4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 2–2.5 hours, stirring occasionally.

5. Remove ham bone, shred meat, and return to the pot.

6. Simmer uncovered for 20–30 minutes more to thicken.

7. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Slow Cooker Method:

1. Add all ingredients to a 6-quart slow cooker.

2. Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until beans are tender.

3. Remove ham bone, shred meat, and stir back in.

✅ Tips & Variations

• No ham bone? Use diced ham and 1 tsp smoked paprika or a dash of liquid smoke for flavor.

• Canned beans shortcut: Skip soaking and reduce cook time by about half.

• Make it creamy: Mash a cup of beans and stir back in for a thicker broth.

• Add greens like chopped kale or spinach at the end for color and nutrition.

🍞 Serve With:

• Cornbread or crusty bread

• A side salad or pickled beets

• A splash of vinegar or hot sauce on top (Southern style)