Description

This Savory Slow-Cooked Northern Beans recipe is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender Great Northern beans slowly simmered with aromatic herbs, smoky ham hock or turkey bacon, and a blend of vegetables. Perfect for a hearty meal, this dish combines rich flavors and rustic textures, making it an ideal slow cooker recipe for easy, hands-off cooking.

Ingredients

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Beans and Broth

2 cups Dried Great Northern Beans (or navy or cannellini beans as substitute)
6 cups Water or Chicken Broth (chicken broth recommended for richer flavor)

Vegetables and Aromatics

1 small Onion, diced
4 cloves Garlic, minced
1 cup Carrots, diced
1 cup Celery, diced
1 leaf Bay Leaf (remove before serving)

Seasonings and Spices

1 teaspoon Dried Thyme (or Italian seasoning as alternative)
1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika (optional)
1 teaspoon Black Pepper (to taste)
1 teaspoon Salt (add at the end)
1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional for spice)

Fats and Add-ins

1 piece Smoked Ham Hock or Turkey Bacon (for smoky flavor; omit for vegetarian)
2 tablespoons Olive Oil or Butter (optional for richness)

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Instructions

Preparation: Rinse the dried Great Northern beans thoroughly under cold running water, removing any small stones or debris. Soaking the beans overnight is optional but can reduce cooking time and improve digestibility.
Combine Ingredients: In your slow cooker, add the rinsed beans, diced onion, minced garlic, diced carrots, diced celery, smoked ham hock or turkey bacon (if using), bay leaf, dried thyme, smoked paprika (if using), black pepper, and your choice of water or chicken broth. Ensure the beans and ingredients are submerged by at least 2 inches to allow even cooking.
Slow Cook the Beans: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set the cooker to LOW for 8-10 hours or HIGH for 4-6 hours, depending on your schedule. Cook until the beans are tender and flavors meld together, stirring occasionally if possible.
Final Seasoning and Serving: Once the beans are cooked and tender, carefully remove the bay leaf and smoked ham hock or turkey bacon piece. Stir in the salt and drizzle in olive oil or a pat of butter if desired to add richness. Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve the beans warm as a hearty main dish or side.

Notes

Soaking the beans overnight can reduce the cooking time significantly and improve texture.
For a vegetarian version, omit the smoked ham hock or turkey bacon; consider adding smoked paprika or liquid smoke for flavor depth.
You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian option.
Adding diced carrots and celery enhances the flavor complexity and adds nutritional value.
Adjust the red pepper flakes according to your tolerance for spice or omit them for milder flavor.
Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 4 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months.