This Ham & Beans recipe is a comforting, deeply flavorful, and incredibly budget-friendly dish perfect for a chilly evening or a hearty family meal. Slow-cooked to perfection, the creamy butter beans meld with the smoky richness of the ham, creating a symphony of textures and flavors that will warm you from the inside out. It’s a simple recipe, made with humble ingredients, yet it delivers a taste that’s both nostalgic and undeniably delicious. Whether you choose the stovetop method for that hands-on simmering experience or the slow cooker for effortless convenience, this recipe will quickly become a staple in your kitchen.
Why You Will Love This Recipe: This isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. You’ll love this Ham & Beans because it’s:
- Incredibly Flavorful: The smoky ham imparts a deep, savory flavor to the beans that is simply irresistible. The subtle sweetness of the onion, the gentle warmth of the garlic, and the hint of pepper all contribute to a complex and satisfying taste.
- Budget-Friendly: Using dried beans and leftover ham bones makes this a surprisingly affordable meal. It’s a great way to stretch your grocery budget without sacrificing flavor or nutrition.
- Easy to Make: With just a few simple steps, you can create a restaurant-quality dish in the comfort of your own home. Both the stovetop and slow cooker methods are straightforward and require minimal effort.
- Comforting and Hearty: This recipe is the epitome of comfort food. It’s warm, filling, and satisfying, making it the perfect dish for a cold day or when you need a little bit of soul-soothing nourishment.
- Versatile: This recipe is easily adaptable to your personal preferences. Feel free to experiment with different types of beans, add vegetables like carrots or celery, or adjust the seasonings to your liking.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Ham & Beans is even better the next day! The flavors meld together beautifully as it sits, making it a great option for meal prepping and leftovers.
- A Great Way to Use Leftovers: Instead of tossing that ham bone after a holiday feast, transform it into something truly special with this recipe. It’s a sustainable and delicious way to make the most of your leftovers.
- Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters will enjoy this comforting and familiar dish. It’s a great way to get kids to eat their beans!
Introduction:
Ham & Beans is a culinary classic with roots deep in American Southern cuisine. It’s a dish born out of resourcefulness, transforming simple, inexpensive ingredients into a hearty and flavorful meal. The beauty of Ham & Beans lies in its simplicity and its ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort. For generations, families have gathered around tables, sharing bowls of this warm and satisfying stew, creating memories that last a lifetime. This recipe stays true to the traditional preparation while offering flexibility to suit modern lifestyles. Whether you prefer the hands-on approach of simmering it on the stovetop or the convenience of letting the slow cooker do its magic, the end result is the same: a delicious and soul-satisfying dish that will bring warmth and comfort to your table.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound dried small butter beans (or your preferred type of dried beans, such as great northern or navy beans)
- 1 ham bone with trimmings (leftover from a holiday ham or purchased from your butcher)
- 5 cups water (plus more as needed)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper (or black pepper)
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Preparation:
Step 1: Prepare the Beans: Begin by rinsing the dried butter beans thoroughly under cold running water. Pick through them, discarding any stones, broken beans, or debris. This step is crucial for ensuring a clean and pleasant eating experience. Some people prefer to soak the beans overnight to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility. If you choose to soak, place the rinsed beans in a large bowl, cover them with several inches of water, and let them sit at room temperature for 8-12 hours. Drain and rinse the soaked beans before proceeding to the next step.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients (Stovetop): In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the rinsed (and soaked, if applicable) beans, ham bone, water, diced onion, garlic powder, and white pepper. Ensure that the ham bone is fully submerged in the water.
Step 3: Bring to a Boil, Then Simmer (Stovetop): Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and simmer gently for 2 hours. This slow simmering process allows the flavors to meld together and the beans to begin to soften.
Step 4: Remove Ham Bone and Add Salt (Stovetop): After 2 hours, carefully remove the ham bone from the pot using tongs or a slotted spoon. Set the ham bone aside to cool slightly. Add the salt to the beans. Be mindful of the salt content in the ham bone, as it will contribute to the overall saltiness of the dish.
Step 5: Continue Cooking and Add Ham (Stovetop): Continue simmering the beans, covered, for another 1-2 hours, or until the beans are tender and creamy. The cooking time will vary depending on the type of beans you use and how long they were soaked (if applicable). While the beans are simmering, carefully trim or chop the ham from the cooled ham bone. Discard the bone and any excess fat or gristle. Add the chopped ham to the beans during the final hour of cooking. This allows the ham to infuse its flavor into the beans without becoming overly dry. If the beans are becoming too thick, add more water as needed to reach your desired consistency.
Step 6: Taste and Adjust Seasoning (Stovetop): Taste the Ham & Beans and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or garlic powder to your liking. You can also add other spices, such as smoked paprika or a pinch of cayenne pepper, for an extra layer of flavor.
Step 7: Rest and Serve (Stovetop): Remove the pot from the heat and let the Ham & Beans rest, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the flavors to meld together even further, resulting in a more flavorful and satisfying dish.
Crock Pot Preparation:
Step 1: Combine Ingredients (Crock Pot): In a large slow cooker, combine the rinsed (and soaked, if applicable) beans, ham bone, water, diced onion, garlic powder, and white pepper.
Step 2: Cook on High: Cook on High for 4 hours.
Step 3: Remove Ham Bone and Add Salt (Crock Pot): After 4 hours, carefully remove the ham bone from the slow cooker. Add the salt to the beans.
Step 4: Continue Cooking and Add Ham (Crock Pot): Continue cooking beans until tender; approximately 2-4 hours on High or 3-5 hours on Low. While the beans are simmering, carefully trim or chop the ham from the cooled ham bone. Discard the bone and any excess fat or gristle. Add the chopped ham to the beans during the final hour of cooking. This allows the ham to infuse its flavor into the beans without becoming overly dry. If the beans are becoming too thick, add more water as needed to reach your desired consistency.
Step 5: Taste and Adjust Seasoning (Crock Pot): Taste the Ham & Beans and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or garlic powder to your liking. You can also add other spices, such as smoked paprika or a pinch of cayenne pepper, for an extra layer of flavor.
Step 6: Rest and Serve (Crock Pot): Turn off the heat and let the Ham & Beans rest, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the flavors to meld together even further, resulting in a more flavorful and satisfying dish.
COOKING Rating: Easy
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve the Ham & Beans over a bed of fluffy white rice or brown rice.
- Serve with a side of cornbread for a classic Southern pairing.
- Top with a dollop of sour cream or plain yogurt for added creaminess.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for a pop of color and freshness.
- Serve with a side salad for a complete and balanced meal.
Tips:
- For a richer flavor, use chicken broth or vegetable broth instead of water.
- Add a bay leaf to the pot while simmering for extra depth of flavor. Remember to remove it before serving.
- If you don’t have a ham bone, you can use smoked ham hocks or diced smoked ham.
- For a thicker consistency, mash a portion of the beans against the side of the pot with a spoon.
- If you’re short on time, you can use canned beans, but the flavor won’t be as rich as with dried beans. Be sure to rinse and drain canned beans before adding them to the pot. Reduce the cooking time accordingly.
- To make it vegetarian or vegan, consider using vegetable broth instead of water.
Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus soaking time, if desired)
Cook Time: 3-4 hours (stovetop), 6-8 hours (crockpot)
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours and 15 minutes (depending on method and soaking)
Nutritional Information: (Estimated, may vary based on specific ingredients and portion size)
Calories: 400-500
Protein: 25-30 grams
Sodium: 800-1200 mg (depending on the ham bone)
Conclusion:
Homestyle Ham & Beans is more than just a recipe; it’s a culinary hug. It’s a reminder of simpler times, of home-cooked meals shared with loved ones. This recipe is a blank canvas for your creativity and personal preferences. Feel free to experiment with different beans, vegetables, and seasonings to create your own unique version of this classic dish. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is sure to impress. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to create a dish that will warm your heart and soul.
Questions and Answers About This Recipe:
Q1: Can I use a different type of bean in this recipe?
A: Absolutely! While this recipe calls for small butter beans, you can easily substitute them with other types of dried beans, such as great northern beans, navy beans, pinto beans, or even kidney beans. Keep in mind that different beans may require slightly different cooking times, so be sure to check for
