Ham and Beans
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
1 hr 30 mins
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Additional Time
8 hrs
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Total Time
9 hrs 50 mins
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Servings
8
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Calories
378 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Ham and Beans
Description
This recipe for Ham and Beans starts by soaking dry white beans overnight to ensure even cooking. On the stovetop, butter melts to soften diced onions, carrots, and celery, which provide foundational aromatics. Garlic is added briefly to build flavor. The soaked beans return to the pot along with a ham bone or ham hock, fresh thyme and rosemary sprigs, brown sugar, and a bay leaf. Water is added and the mixture simmers gently for 60 to 90 minutes until the beans are tender and the flavors meld.
After cooking, the ham bone is removed and diced ham is added, or if using a ham hock, the meat is stripped from the bone and returned to the pot. Additional cooking time allows the ham to integrate fully. Seasoning with salt and pepper is adjusted to taste at the end. The dish is garnished with chopped parsley for a touch of freshness.
Ham and Beans is a filling, slow-cooked stew with softened beans, savory meat, and the subtle sweetness of brown sugar balancing the saltiness from the ham. It’s a traditional, comforting dish well-suited for cooler weather and makes good use of leftovers.
The texture comes from thoroughly cooked beans and tender vegetables, with the ham providing hearty, smoky flavor. The vegetables are cut into larger pieces to withstand long cooking without disintegrating.
Ingredients
- 1 pound White beans such as Great Northern, dry
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3/4 cup onion diced
- 2 large carrot peeled, halved and cut into 3/4 inch pieces
- 2 talks celery sliced
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 1 ham bone or ham hock
- 2 prigs thyme fresh
- 2 prigs rosemary fresh
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 bay leaf
- 8 cups water
- 2 cups ham diced
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped
Instructions
- Place the beans in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Soak for 8 hours or overnight.
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots and celery and cook for 5-6 minutes or until softened.
- Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Return the soaked beans to the pot.
- Place the ham bone, thyme, rosemary, brown sugar and bay leaf in the pot.
- Pour the water into the pot and bring to a simmer.
- Cook for 60-90 minutes or until beans are tender.
- Discard the bay leaf and herb sprigs.
- Discard the ham bone. Stir in the diced ham. If you're using a ham hock, remove the hock, cut the meat off the bone and return the meat to the pot.
- Cook for another 10-15 minutes, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Sprinkle with parsley, then serve.
Notes
- Use a ham bone or ham hock to enrich flavor; if using a bone, keep diced ham aside to add later.
- Cut carrots and celery into larger chunks so they hold up during long simmering.
- If beans have seasoning packets, add them near the end of cooking if desired.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 378 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 378kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 46g | 15% |
| Protein | 16g | 32% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 23mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 431mg | 18% |
| Potassium | 120mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 637IU | 13% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 27mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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