Slow-Cooked Great Northern Beans with Ham
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 pounds dried Great Northern beans 3 cups
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium yellow onion finely diced (1 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 1/2 pounds smoked ham cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups water
Instructions
- Place the beans in a large Dutch oven and sort through them, discarding any debris or damaged beans. Cover with cold water by 2 inches. Cover the pot with a lid and let beans soak overnight for 8 hours.
- Drain the soaked beans through a colander and rinse. Dry the Dutch oven completely.
- Heat the Dutch oven over medium heat. Add butter and allow to melt completely. Add the diced onion and cook until it becomes translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic, thyme, and parsley. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the drained beans and ham chunks to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Pour in the chicken broth and water, then stir to combine all ingredients.
- Increase heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 3-6 hours, depending on desired creaminess. For very creamy beans, cook for the full 6 hours.
- Serve hot as a side dish, optionally with cornbread for a complete comfort meal.
There’s something truly special about the aroma that fills your kitchen when you’re making slow-cooked Great Northern beans with ham. It’s one of those dishes that instantly transports me back to childhood, sitting around my grandmother’s table on a cold Sunday afternoon. The beans bubble away on the stove for hours, filling the house with that rich, savory smell that makes everyone gather in the kitchen asking “when will it be ready?”
I’ve been making this recipe for years now, and it never fails to deliver that same comfort and satisfaction. What I love most about Great Northern beans is how they transform during that long, slow cooking process. They start out as these firm, pale little ovals, but after hours of gentle simmering, they become incredibly creamy and tender, almost melting in your mouth while still holding their shape beautifully.
The key to this recipe is patience. I know we live in a world of instant everything, but some things just can’t be rushed. These beans need time to absorb all those wonderful flavors from the ham, the aromatic herbs, and that perfect combination of chicken broth and water. When I’m having a busy day, I’ll start these in the morning and let them do their thing while I go about my other tasks. The house smells amazing all day, and by dinner time, we have this incredible side dish that pairs perfectly with just about anything.
I use smoked ham cut into generous chunks because it adds such depth of flavor. As the beans cook, that smoky ham flavor infuses throughout the entire pot. The meat becomes incredibly tender too, practically falling apart by the time it’s done. Sometimes I’ll use leftover holiday ham, and it works beautifully. Other times I’ll grab some ham steaks from the deli counter and cut them up myself.
The herbs in this recipe are simple but essential. Dried thyme and parsley might seem basic, but they add just the right amount of earthy, savory notes without overpowering the natural flavors of the beans and ham. I’ve experimented with fresh herbs before, and while they’re lovely, I actually prefer the deeper, more concentrated flavor that dried herbs give during the long cooking process.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that soaking the beans overnight is absolutely worth the planning ahead. I used to try shortcuts, thinking I could skip this step, but the beans just don’t cook as evenly without proper soaking. Now I make it part of my routine – the night before I want to make this dish, I set out the beans to soak. It’s become one of those little rituals that makes the whole cooking process feel more intentional and satisfying.
The texture of these beans after six hours of cooking is something special. They’re creamy enough that some of them break down slightly, creating this wonderful, thick cooking liquid that’s almost like a light gravy. But most of the beans remain intact, giving you that perfect combination of creaminess and substance in every bite. It’s comfort food at its finest – hearty, filling, and soul-warming.
I love serving these beans as a side dish with cornbread, but honestly, they’re substantial enough to be a meal on their own. My family often makes a dinner out of just these beans, some fresh cornbread, and maybe a simple green salad. There’s something so satisfying about a meal that’s both simple and deeply flavorful.
The leftovers are fantastic too, which is good because this recipe makes a generous amount. The flavors actually develop and deepen overnight in the refrigerator. When I reheat them the next day, I often need to add a splash of water or broth because they thicken up as they cool. But that just means the flavors have concentrated even more.
What I appreciate most about this recipe is how it brings people together. There’s something about beans and ham that feels deeply communal and nurturing. It’s the kind of food that makes you want to invite people over, to share a meal around the table and catch up on life. It reminds us that some of the best meals don’t require fancy ingredients or complicated techniques – just good quality basics, treated with care and given the time they deserve.
This dish also represents great value cooking. Dried beans are incredibly economical, and when you combine them with ham and let them cook slowly, you create something that feels much more expensive than it actually is. It’s the kind of recipe that can feed a crowd without breaking the budget, which makes it perfect for family gatherings or when you want to bring something substantial to a potluck.
Every time I make these beans, I’m reminded of why I love home cooking so much. It’s not just about the end result, though these beans are absolutely delicious. It’s about the process – the planning ahead, the gentle tending, the way the house fills with wonderful aromas. It’s about creating something nourishing and satisfying from simple ingredients, and sharing it with the people you care about.
So if you’re looking for a recipe that delivers maximum comfort with minimal fuss, give these slow-cooked Great Northern beans with ham a try. Just remember to soak those beans the night before, clear your schedule for a few hours of gentle simmering, and prepare for your kitchen to smell absolutely incredible. Your family and friends will thank you, and you’ll have discovered your new go-to comfort food recipe.
