Hearty Slow Cooker Ham and White Bean Stew

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 8 hours
🍽 Serves: 6
★★★★★
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This Hearty Slow Cooker Ham and White Bean Stew is perfect for lazy weekends or busy weekdays when you want something comforting yet effortless. With its rich flavors and simple ingredients, this stew stands out as a warming dish you’ll want to make on repeat.

Ingredients for Hearty Slow Cooker Ham and White Bean Stew

Cooked ham: Adds depth and a savory, smoky element. It’s a great way to use up leftovers from a holiday meal.

Dried white beans: Provide heartiness and a creamy texture once cooked. Soaking them overnight ensures they cook evenly.

Onion, carrots, and celery: The classic mirepoix base that gives the stew its aromatic foundation and subtle sweetness.

Garlic: Infuses the stew with a warm, pungent flavor that complements the ham beautifully.

Olive oil: Used to sauté the veggies, enhancing their natural flavors.

Chicken broth: Acts as a savory backdrop, marrying all the ingredients together.

Bay leaves, thyme, and oregano: These herbs add depth and earthiness, elevating the stew's flavor profile.

Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors.

Fresh parsley: Adds a fresh, bright finish just before serving.

Tips & Tricks

  • If you’re in a pinch, canned beans can substitute dried beans; just reduce the cooking time to 4-5 hours.
  • For a creamier texture, mash some of the beans against the side of the slow cooker before serving.
  • To avoid overly salty stew, taste before adding additional salt, especially if your ham is on the salty side.

Serving Suggestions

This stew pairs excellently with a crusty loaf of bread to soak up all that delicious broth. A simple side salad with a vinaigrette dressing complements the stew’s richness, providing a refreshing contrast. You can also serve it over rice or with a side of roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of bean?
Absolutely! Cannellini or navy beans work just as well in this recipe.
How do I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It also freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, simply omit the ham and use vegetable broth. You might want to add some smoked paprika for that smoky flavor.

Hearty Slow Cooker Ham and White Bean Stew Recipe Walkthrough

First, make sure your beans are thoroughly rinsed after soaking overnight. This step is crucial to remove any dirt or impurities. Once that's done, set them aside while you prepare the other ingredients.

In a skillet, warm up the olive oil over medium heat. Toss in the onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté them until they’re softened, about 5-7 minutes. The aroma at this point is just delightful! Add in the garlic and let it cook for about a minute until it's fragrant.

Transfer your sautéed veggies into the slow cooker. Add the diced ham and soaked beans into the mix. Pour in the chicken broth, ensuring everything is nicely submerged. Toss in the bay leaves, thyme, oregano, and season with salt and pepper to your liking. Give everything a good stir to combine.

Set your slow cooker to low and let it work its magic for 7-8 hours. This allows the beans to become tender and the flavors to meld beautifully. Before serving, don’t forget to fish out the bay leaves, and finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Minimal prep time with maximum flavor payoff.
  • Uses pantry staples and leftover ham, making it budget-friendly.
  • Perfect for meal prep—tastes even better the next day.
  • A cozy, one-pot meal that fills your kitchen with warmth and aroma.

Ingredients

1 lb cooked ham, diced
2 cups dried white beans, soaked overnight
1 large onion, chopped
3 carrots, sliced
3 celery stalks, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
4 cups chicken broth
2 bay leaves
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Rinse soaked beans and set aside.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté onions, carrots, and celery until softened.
3. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
4. Transfer sautéed vegetables, ham, and beans to the slow cooker.
5. Pour in chicken broth, and add bay leaves, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper.
6. Stir to combine and set the slow cooker on low for 7-8 hours or until beans are tender.
7. Before serving, discard bay leaves and sprinkle with fresh parsley.

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