Savory Southern Style Ham and Bean Stew
Get ready for a truly comforting and hearty dish with this Savory Southern Style Ham and Bean Stew! Packed with rich flavors from smoky bacon and tender ham, and enriched by the wholesome goodness of great northern beans, this recipe is a quintessential representation of traditional Southern cooking. It's the perfect meal for chilly evenings or gatherings, offering both warmth and satisfaction in every spoonful. Easy to prepare and even better when left to develop its flavors over time, this stew is sure to become a beloved favorite at your dinner table.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dried great northern beans
1 lb (soaked overnight in water and drained)
Bacon
6 slices (thick cut)
Onion
1/2 large (diced)
Diced ham
2 cups (fully cooked)
Chicken broth
3 cans (preferably low sodium)
Onion powder
1 tablespoon (none)
Garlic powder
1 1/2 tablespoons (none)
Black pepper
1 teaspoon (freshly ground if possible)
Dried parsley
2 tablespoons (none)
Salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (to taste)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, fry the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Once cooked, remove the bacon from the skillet, allow it to cool, and crumble the pieces into bite-sized bits.
2
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and ham. Sauté over medium heat until the onion is translucent and the ham is browned, about 5-7 minutes.
3
In a crock pot, combine the soaked and drained beans, crumbled bacon, ham and onion mixture, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and dried parsley. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are mixed evenly.
4
Cover and set the crock pot to low heat. Let it cook for at least 8 hours, allowing the beans to become tender and the flavors to meld beautifully.
5
About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the salt to taste, adjusting as necessary. Allow the stew to cook an additional 30 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Southern Style Ham and Bean Stew?
It is a hearty, comforting Southern dish featuring smoky bacon, tender ham, and great northern beans.
What type of beans are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of dried great northern beans.
How should the dried beans be prepared before cooking?
The beans should be soaked overnight in water and then drained.
How many slices of bacon are needed?
You will need 6 slices of thick-cut bacon.
How do I prepare the bacon for the stew?
Fry the bacon until crisp, let it cool, and then crumble it into bite-sized bits.
How much onion is required?
The recipe uses 1/2 of a large onion, diced.
What type of ham is used in this stew?
The recipe requires 2 cups of fully cooked diced ham.
Should the onion and ham be cooked before going into the crock pot?
Yes, sauté them in the bacon skillet for 5-7 minutes until the onion is translucent and the ham is browned.
What kind of broth is recommended?
3 cans of chicken broth are used, preferably the low sodium variety.
How much onion powder is added?
One tablespoon of onion powder is included in the seasoning mix.
How much garlic powder does the recipe call for?
The stew uses 1 1/2 tablespoons of garlic powder.
What type of pepper should I use?
One teaspoon of black pepper is used, ideally freshly ground.
How much dried parsley is in the stew?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of dried parsley.
When should I add the salt?
Salt should be stirred in about 30 minutes before serving.
How much salt is typically added?
The recipe suggests 1 1/2 teaspoons, or to taste.
What is the main cooking method for this stew?
The stew is cooked in a crock pot or slow cooker.
What setting should I use on the crock pot?
The crock pot should be set to low heat.
How long does the stew need to cook?
It should cook for at least 8 hours to allow the beans to become tender.
Can I skip sautéing the onions?
While possible, sautéing the onions and ham first helps develop the flavor and brown the meat.
Is this recipe suitable for cold weather?
Yes, it is described as a perfect meal for chilly evenings.
How many ingredients are in the recipe?
There are a total of 10 main ingredients.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to fry the bacon in a large skillet until it is crisp.
How do I know when the onion and ham are ready during sautéing?
They are ready when the onion is translucent and the ham is browned, usually after 5-7 minutes.
Should all ingredients be stirred together in the crock pot?
Yes, stir well to ensure all beans, meats, broth, and spices are mixed evenly.
What makes this a Southern style dish?
It follows traditional Southern cooking techniques and flavor profiles using ham, bacon, and white beans.
Can I use fresh parsley instead of dried?
While the recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of dried parsley, you can adapt with fresh if preferred.
Is the ham already cooked?
Yes, the recipe specifies using fully cooked diced ham.
Can the flavor be improved over time?
Yes, the recipe states the stew is even better when left to develop its flavors over time.
Why is the salt added last?
Adding salt at the end of the cooking process prevents the beans from becoming tough.
What is the final step before serving?
Allow the stew to cook for an additional 30 minutes after adding the salt to ensure the seasoning is well incorporated.