Flavorful Slow-Cooked Great Northern Beans with Ham
This hearty and comforting dish combines the creaminess of great northern beans with the rich, smoky flavor of ham hocks, resulting in a delightful meal that's perfect for cold nights or casual gatherings. After experimenting with several recipes, I've crafted this version to amplify the flavors with aromatic vegetables, robust herbs, and spices. Let your slow cooker do the work while you savor the enticing smells wafting through your kitchen. Serve it over rice for a complete and satisfying meal that will leave your family and friends asking for seconds!
10
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dried Great Northern Beans
2 lbs (Soaked overnight, drained, and rinsed.)
Ham Hock (or neck bones)
1 lb (Optional: can substitute with cooked ham or bacon added at the end.)
Carrots
1 lb (Chopped.)
Celery Ribs
5 (Chopped.)
Large Onion
1 (Chopped.)
Garlic Cloves
6 (Mince.)
Chicken Broth (or Water with Bouillon Cubes)
6 cups (Use as is.)
Bay Leaves
4 (Use whole.)
Salt
2 teaspoons (Use as is.)
Black Pepper
1 teaspoon (Use as is.)
Garlic Powder
1/4 teaspoon (Use as is.)
Onion Powder
1/4 teaspoon (Use as is.)
Smoked Paprika
1/4 teaspoon (Use as is.)
Dried Thyme
1/4 teaspoon (Use as is.)
Celery Seed
1/4 teaspoon (Use as is.)
Dried Parsley
1/4 teaspoon (Use as is.)
Cayenne Pepper
1/8 teaspoon (Use as is.)
Instructions
1
Begin by soaking the dried great northern beans overnight in a large bowl filled with water (12-24 hours). Once soaked, drain and rinse the beans thoroughly.
2
In your slow cooker, combine 6 cups of chicken broth and the ham hocks. Set the cooker to high heat and let it cook for 60 minutes to enhance the flavor of the broth.
3
After cooking, remove the ham hocks from the slow cooker. Once they are cool enough to handle, strip the meat from the bones, discard any excess fat, and set aside the shredded meat for later.
4
While the ham hocks are cooking, prepare the vegetables: chop the carrots, celery, and onion, and mince the garlic cloves.
5
With the ham hocks removed, add the rinsed beans, chopped carrots, celery, onion, minced garlic, bay leaves, and all the spices and seasonings to the slow cooker.
6
Cover and cook on high heat for about 5 hours, or longer if using low heat, until the beans are tender.
7
Once cooked, stir back in the shredded ham meat. Adjust seasoning to taste, if necessary.
8
Serve the flavorful bean mixture over steaming rice for a hearty meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Flavorful Slow-Cooked Great Northern Beans with Ham?
It is a hearty, comforting dish that combines creamy great northern beans with smoky ham hocks, aromatic vegetables, and robust spices in a slow cooker.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to serve 10 people.
How long should I soak the dried Great Northern beans?
The beans should be soaked overnight in water for approximately 12 to 24 hours.
What is the first step in the slow cooker process?
The first step is to combine 6 cups of chicken broth and the ham hocks in the slow cooker and cook on high for 60 minutes to flavor the broth.
What should I do with the ham hocks after the initial hour of cooking?
Remove them from the cooker, strip the meat from the bones, discard the fat, and set the shredded meat aside for later.
Can I substitute ham hocks with something else?
Yes, you can use 1 lb of neck bones, or substitute with cooked ham or bacon added at the end of the cooking process.
How many carrots are needed for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of chopped carrots.
How many celery ribs should be used?
You should use 5 chopped celery ribs.
What type of onion is recommended?
One large chopped onion is recommended for this dish.
How much garlic is included in the recipe?
The recipe requires 6 minced garlic cloves.
What liquid is used as the base for the soup?
You can use 6 cups of chicken broth or water mixed with bouillon cubes.
How many bay leaves are required?
The recipe calls for 4 whole bay leaves.
What is the cook time for the beans on high heat?
The beans should be cooked on high heat for about 5 hours until they are tender.
Can I cook this recipe on low heat?
Yes, you can cook it on low heat for a longer duration until the beans reach the desired tenderness.
What spices are used to season the beans?
The spices include salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, celery seed, dried parsley, and cayenne pepper.
How much salt and black pepper is used?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper.
Is this recipe spicy?
It has a very mild heat from 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika.
When do I add the shredded ham back into the slow cooker?
Stir the shredded ham back into the mixture once the beans are fully cooked and tender.
What is the recommended way to serve this dish?
It is recommended to serve the flavorful bean mixture over steaming rice.
Does this recipe have a vegetarian option?
Yes, it is tagged as having a vegetarian option, which would involve omitting the ham hocks and using vegetable broth.
How much dried beans do I need?
You will need 2 lbs of dried Great Northern beans.
Should the beans be rinsed after soaking?
Yes, after soaking for 12-24 hours, the beans must be drained and rinsed thoroughly.
What is the amount of smoked paprika used?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika.
How many garlic cloves are minced?
Six garlic cloves are minced for the recipe.
What is the preparation for the celery?
The 5 celery ribs should be chopped before being added to the slow cooker.
Is garlic powder used in addition to fresh garlic?
Yes, the recipe uses both 6 fresh garlic cloves and 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder.
What kind of beans are used in this recipe?
Great Northern beans are used for their creaminess.
How much dried thyme is added?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme.
Can I add the vegetables at the same time as the beans?
Yes, the chopped carrots, celery, onion, and minced garlic are added to the slow cooker along with the rinsed beans and spices.
What should I do if the seasoning isn't perfect at the end?
After stirring in the ham, you should adjust the seasoning to taste before serving.