Hearty Ham and Bean Supper

🕒 Prep: 30 min
🔥 Cook: 9 hours
🍽 Serves: 8
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This Hearty Ham and Bean Supper is the perfect comfort food that warms the soul on those chilly evenings. It's a classic dish, rich in flavor and simple to prepare, thanks to the magic of a slow cooker.

Ingredients for Hearty Ham and Bean Supper

Navy beans: These little powerhouses soak up flavors beautifully and provide a creamy texture. They're also packed with fiber and protein.

Ham hock: This is the heart of the dish, adding a smoky richness that infuses every bite. It makes the broth deeply savory.

Celery, carrots, and onion: This trio forms the holy trinity of flavor in many soups and stews, providing a sweet and earthy base.

Garlic: Just two cloves are enough to add depth and warmth to the dish.

Bay leaf and thyme: These herbs offer a subtle aromatic backdrop. The thyme gives a hint of earthiness, while the bay leaf adds depth.

Black pepper: A little kick that enhances the overall flavor without overpowering.

Tips & Tricks

  • If you're short on time, use canned beans. Just reduce the cooking time to 4-5 hours on low.
  • For a thicker stew, mash some beans against the side of the slow cooker before serving.
  • Prefer a spicier dish? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a gentle heat.

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs beautifully with a crusty loaf of bread — perfect for soaking up every last bit of the savory broth. A simple side salad with a tangy vinaigrette also complements the hearty flavors nicely, adding a fresh contrast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of bean?
Absolutely! Great Northern or cannellini beans work well too.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes, this dish freezes well. Just cool completely before transferring to airtight containers.
What can I substitute for the ham hock?
Smoked turkey legs or bacon can be a good alternative for a similar smoky flavor.

Hearty Ham and Bean Supper Recipe Walkthrough

Start by rinsing and sorting through your dry navy beans. You want to remove any debris or shriveled beans. Once cleaned, place them in a large bowl and cover with plenty of water to soak overnight. This step helps soften the beans and makes them easier to digest.

The next day, drain and rinse the beans well. Then, gather your ham hock, celery, carrots, onion, garlic, bay leaf, thyme, and black pepper. Add them all to your slow cooker along with the beans.

Pour in 8 cups of water, which will slowly transform into a flavorful broth as everything cooks. Give it a gentle stir to mix the ingredients. Cover your slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 8-10 hours. This long, slow cooking process allows the beans to become tender and the flavors to meld beautifully.

Once the beans are tender, take out the ham hock. Shred the meat off the bone and return it to the slow cooker. Stir everything together and taste. Add salt as needed to bring out all the flavors.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Uses simple pantry ingredients.
  • Perfect for batch cooking and meal prep.
  • Budget-friendly and feeds a crowd.
  • Rich in proteins and fibers.
  • Set it and forget it — the slow cooker does the hard work!

Ingredients

1 lb dry navy beans
1 large ham hock
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp black pepper
8 cups water
Salt to taste

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Rinse and sort the dry navy beans, discarding any debris.
2. Place the beans in a large bowl, cover with water, and soak overnight.
3. Drain and rinse the beans.
4. Add the beans, ham hock, celery, carrots, onion, garlic, bay leaf, thyme, and pepper to the slow cooker.
5. Pour 8 cups of water into the slow cooker and stir to combine.
6. Cover and cook on low setting for 8-10 hours or until beans are tender.
7. Remove the ham hock, shred the meat, and return it to the slow cooker.
8. Season with salt to taste before serving.

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