Southern Ham and Beans

User Reviews

5.0

3 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    10 mins

  • Cook Time

    2 hrs

  • Additional Time

    8 hrs

  • Total Time

    10 hrs 10 mins

  • Servings

    8 people

  • Calories

    280 kcal

  • Course

    Dinner

  • Cuisine

    American

Southern Ham and Beans

Simple, hearty, and flavorful, ham and beans is a traditional meal that’s been enjoyed throughout the south and Appalachia for generations!

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 1 lb. dried Great Northern beans
  • cold water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 stalk celery, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 4 teaspoons total)
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 smoked ham hock (about 10-12 ounces)
  • 1 dried bay leaf
  • 1 fresh thyme sprig (or about ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 8 ounces cooked, diced ham
  • Garnish: hot sauce; chow-chow; apple cider vinegar; chopped fresh herbs; chopped onion
  • Optional, for serving: cornbread
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Instructions

  1. Place beans in a large bowl or pot. Cover with cold water by 2 inches. Cover and let stand overnight. Drain and rinse the beans.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and celery; cook until the vegetables start to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic; cook for 30 more seconds, stirring constantly.
  3. Add the beans, broth, ham hock, bay leaf, thyme, and ground black pepper to taste. Do not add salt at this time. Pour in enough cold water to cover the beans by about 1 inch. Give everything a good stir. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low or medium-low so that the liquid is at a gentle simmer. Partially cover the pot with a lid, allowing some of the steam to escape. Simmer for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally. If the beans start to look dry, add more water to keep them covered. If there’s more liquid in the pot than you would like, remove the lid completely.
  4. Stir in about a teaspoon of salt. Add the diced ham. Continue simmering for 30-45 more minutes, until the beans are tender. Discard ham hock, bay leaf, and thyme sprig. Use the back of a spoon or a potato masher to mash some of the beans, thickening the broth. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if necessary.
  5. Ladle into bowls. Garnish with hot sauce, chow chow, a splash of vinegar, herbs, and/or chopped onion. Serve with a side of cornbread.

Notes

  • Slow Cooker Method: after soaking the beans, place all of the ingredients in a Crock Pot. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours, or on LOW for 8-10 hours, until the beans are tender. Season with about 1 teaspoon of salt and add the diced ham during the final 1-2 hours of cooking time.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1/8 of the recipe Calories 280kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 39g (13%) Protein 20g (40%) Fat 6g (9%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 3g Cholesterol 15mg (5%) Sodium 414mg (17%) Potassium 916mg (26%) Fiber 12g (48%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 9IU (0%) Vitamin C 5mg (6%) Calcium 111mg (11%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 280 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1/8 of the recipe
Calories 280kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 39g 13%
Protein 20g 40%
Fat 6g 9%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 15mg 5%
Sodium 414mg 17%
Potassium 916mg 19%
Fiber 12g 48%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 9IU 0%
Vitamin C 5mg 6%
Calcium 111mg 11%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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5.0

3 reviews
Excellent

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