Ham Great Northern Beans (Printable Version)

Slow-cooked Great Northern beans with savory ham and aromatic vegetables for a hearty, warming dish.

# What You Need:

→ Beans & Legumes

01 - 1 pound dried Great Northern beans, rinsed and sorted

→ Meats

02 - 1 meaty ham bone or 2 cups diced cooked ham

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 carrots, peeled and diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

07 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
08 - 2 cups water

→ Herbs & Spices

09 - 2 bay leaves
10 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
12 - Salt to taste

# How To Make:

01 - Rinse and sort the dried Great Northern beans to remove debris and discolored beans. Optional overnight soaking will result in softer beans and reduced cooking time.
02 - In a 6-quart or larger slow cooker, combine prepared beans, ham bone or diced ham, chopped onion, diced carrots, diced celery, and minced garlic.
03 - Pour chicken broth and water into the slow cooker. Add bay leaves, dried thyme, and ground black pepper. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
04 - Cover the slow cooker and cook on low setting for 8 hours, or until beans are tender and flavors have melded together.
05 - Remove and discard ham bone and bay leaves. If using ham bone, shred any meat from the bone and return to the soup. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt as needed. Serve hot.

# Cooking Tips:

01 -
  • Hands-off cooking: The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting—just load it up and let it work its magic for 8 hours.
  • Incredibly hearty: With 25 grams of protein per serving, this soup is a genuinely filling main dish.
  • Naturally gluten-free: Made without any wheat or gluten-containing ingredients, it suits a wide range of dietary needs.
  • Freezer-friendly: Leftovers freeze beautifully for up to 3 months, making it a perfect meal-prep staple.
  • Simple, wholesome ingredients: Everything in this recipe is straightforward, accessible, and real.
02 -
  • No soaking required: Dried Great Northern beans cook perfectly in the slow cooker without pre-soaking, though overnight soaking will yield even softer beans and a slightly shorter cook time.
  • Go easy on the salt: Ham—especially from a bone—can be quite salty. Always taste before adding any extra salt at the end.
  • Mash for creaminess: Before serving, press some beans against the side of the slow cooker with the back of a ladle to naturally thicken the broth without any added cream or flour.
  • Boost the flavor: A dash of smoked paprika or a splash of hot sauce stirred in at the end adds a welcome layer of complexity.
  • Check your labels: If using store-bought broth or packaged ham, check labels for potential gluten or allergen cross-contamination to keep the dish truly gluten-free.
  • Use a 6-quart or larger slow cooker: This recipe needs enough space for the beans to expand and the broth to bubble gently without overflowing.
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