That is consolation meals at its most interesting—straightforward, hearty, and budget-friendly. Soaking the beans in a single day provides them that good, tender texture. Then toss all of it within the crockpot and the gradual cooker does all of the give you the results you want. You should use packaged diced ham or dissipate leftovers. This dish is all about retaining issues easy and scrumptious.
Use our slow cooker ham recipe for leftovers, or attempt our life-changing pulled ham.
Why Our Recipe
- Easy prep with soaked beans and packaged diced ham or leftover ham.
- Set it and overlook it—simply prep and let your gradual cooker deal with the remaining.
- Consolation meals dinner that’s as budget-friendly as it’s scrumptious.

This recipe is a complete lifesaver once you want a low-effort meal on a budget. It’s filling and simple to vary up to make use of up additional veggies you will have available. Serve it up with a slice of cornbread or some crusty bread, and dinner’s executed. It doesn’t get a lot simpler than this!
Ingredient Notes


- Dried Nice Northern Beans: Retaining issues low-cost with dried beans. You might additionally use navy or pinto beans.
- Yellow Onion: Use yellow or white and be sure you cube it.
- Celery Ribs: We wish to cube them to mix in, however you would additionally simply slice them.
- Carrots: As soon as once more, cube them to have them mix in, however you would additionally slice them for bigger chunks.
- Ham: Packaged ham is tremendous handy, however that is additionally a good way to make use of up leftover ham.
- Hen Broth: Go for low-sodium hen broth if you need extra management over the salt degree which is management over taste. Vegetable broth additionally works.
- Minced Garlic: Freshly minced will all the time provide the greatest taste. Jarred minced garlic works too, it simply has a barely bitter taste.
- Bay Leaves: Remember to take away them earlier than serving.
- Dried Thyme & Oregano: You might play with the herbs, however that is the combo we like greatest.
Ham Choices
Prepackaged Ham: Packaged ham is available in two frequent varieties—cubed and diced. This recipe requires cubed ham because it’s bigger, providing you with greater chunks in each chew. The diced selection will even work within the recipe. Your alternative!
Leftover Ham: Leftover ham is ideal for this dish. Simply cube it into bite-sized items so it blends nicely with the beans and veggies.
Ham Steaks: Many grocery shops promote ham steaks, that are single slabs of ham. These are nice if don’t have leftovers available. Merely cube them up earlier than including them to the gradual cooker.
Smoked Sausage Swap: For one thing completely different, attempt smoked sausage like andouille. Simply cube it into small items earlier than tossing it into the gradual cooker for a smoky, barely spicy twist.
The Science of Soaking Beans
Soaking beans in a single day isn’t only a step to melt them. There’s science behind it!
Hydration for Even Cooking: Dried beans are like little sponges. Soaking them permits them to slowly soak up water, which rehydrates the powerful outer pores and skin and softens the dense inside. This step ensures your beans prepare dinner evenly within the gradual cooker, stopping any unpleasantly crunchy bites.
Reduces Cooking Time: By pre-soaking your beans, you’re giving the gradual cooker a head begin. Beans that haven’t been soaked can take hours longer to prepare dinner by way of.
Helps with Bean Bloat: Beans naturally comprise compounds like phytic acid and oligosaccharides that may trigger a little bit bean bloat. Soaking helps break these down, making the beans simpler in your abdomen.
Cleans the Beans: Throughout soaking, beans launch filth, particles, and impurities, together with substances that trigger foaming throughout cooking. Draining and rinsing soaked beans ensures you’re beginning your recipe with clear beans.


Skipping Soaking Beans
You’ll be able to skip soaking the beans and nonetheless find yourself with a scrumptious pot of ham and beans. Right here’s what it’s essential know:
Fast Soak Possibility: In case you’re brief on time, you’ll be able to quick-soak the beans by boiling them for two minutes and letting them sit in sizzling water for 1 hour earlier than draining and rinsing. It’s not as efficient as an in a single day soak, however it’s an awesome time-saver!
No Soaking at All: In case you skip soaking totally, dried beans will take longer to prepare dinner—plan so as to add an additional 1-2 hours on low within the gradual cooker to ensure they soften correctly.
Rinse Totally: Even for those who skip soaking, all the time rinse the dried beans completely beneath chilly water earlier than utilizing. This step removes filth and particles, so your beans are clear and able to prepare dinner.
Modify the Liquid: Unsoaked beans take in extra liquid whereas cooking. Keep watch over the liquid degree in your gradual cooker and add an additional cup or two of broth as wanted to forestall the dish from drying out.
Serving Recommendations
Simply because it’s ham and beans, it doesn’t need to be boring! Serve alongside cornbread or any crusty bread from the bakery to absorb the flavorful broth. Spoon the ham and beans over steamed white or brown rice to make it much more filling. Add a contemporary aspect of sautéed greens, like spinach. Garnish with contemporary parsley, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, or perhaps a drizzle of sizzling sauce for a spicy kick.
Storage & Reheating Directions
Refrigerate leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days.
Freeze in an hermetic container or freezer bag for as much as 3 months.That within the fridge in a single day earlier than reheating.
Reheat within the microwave with particular person parts in a microwave-safe bowl. Cowl and warmth on excessive in 30-second increments, stirring between, till warmed by way of.
Reheat on the stovetop in a saucepan over medium-low, stirring often, till warmed by way of.
Extra methods to eat beans…
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