When you’re in search of a heat and comforting dish that’s straightforward to make, this Sluggish Cooker Ham and Beans recipe is simply what you want. It’s a hearty, protein-packed meal with tender beans, smoky ham, and a flavorful broth that simmers to perfection in your crockpot.
Why You may Love This Easy Sluggish Cooker Recipe
- Easy Preparation. Simply toss all the pieces within the sluggish cooker and let it do the work.
- Finances-Pleasant. Makes use of easy, reasonably priced components, excellent for feeding a crowd.
- Nice for Leftovers. Tastes even higher the subsequent day because the flavors proceed to develop.
- Versatile. Simply adaptable with totally different beans, seasonings, or extra veggies.
- Protein-Packed. A nutritious, filling meal that is each satisfying and comforting.
Whether or not you are utilizing leftover vacation ham or a ham hock for added depth, this dish is a budget-friendly basic that by no means disappoints.
What Do Ham And Beans Style Like?
Ham and beans are consolation meals at its most interesting, delivering a smoky, savory, and barely creamy style that pairs properly with cornbread or crusty bread. It’s a dish that looks like a heat hug, excellent for cold days or everytime you crave one thing easy but extremely flavorful.
Elements You may Want
- Dried Beans– The guts of the dish, navy beans, nice northern beans, or pinto beans create a creamy and tender texture as they prepare dinner. Utilizing a sluggish cooker eliminates the necessity for in a single day soaking, making this a straightforward, hands-off meal.
- Ham Hock or Ham Bone– That is the key to deep, smoky taste within the broth. Because the ham hock or bone slowly simmers, it infuses the beans with richness. When you’ve got leftover ham, it really works simply as properly and provides further meaty bites.
- Onion– A key fragrant, onion offers a savory base taste that enhances the general depth of the broth.
- Garlic– Brings daring, fragrant depth, elevating the dish with its pure umami-rich taste.
- Hen Broth or Water– The inspiration of the soup, offering moisture and enhancing the flavors as all the pieces simmers collectively. Broth creates a richer style, however water works properly, particularly when utilizing a ham hock or bone to construct depth.
- Bay Leaf & Thyme– These basic herbs add heat, delicate earthiness, and complexity, giving the dish a deep, comforting aroma.
- Salt & Black Pepper– Important seasonings that improve and stability all of the flavors within the soup. Black pepper provides delicate warmth, whereas salt brings out the pure richness of the components.
- Worcestershire Sauce– A taste booster that provides a touch of umami depth with a barely tangy, savory kick.
- Crimson Pepper Flakes– Excellent for individuals who get pleasure from a spicy contact, including delicate warmth that enhances the smoky flavors.
- Contemporary Parsley– Provides a pop of freshness to the ultimate dish, balancing the wealthy and hearty flavors with a vivid, herby end.
Every ingredient works collectively to create a heat, comforting, and flavorful sluggish cooker meal that’s excellent for cozy dinners or straightforward meal prep.
How To Make Ham And Beans
- Prep the Elements. Rinse the dried beans below chilly water and take away any particles or damaged beans. Cube the onion, carrots, and celery for added taste and texture.
- Add All the things to the Sluggish Cooker. Place the beans, ham hock (or ham bone), onion, garlic, bay leaf, and thyme into the sluggish cooker. Pour in rooster broth or water till the beans are totally submerged.
- Cook dinner Low and Sluggish. Set the sluggish cooker to low and prepare dinner for 8-10 hours or till the beans are tender and creamy. If utilizing excessive warmth, prepare dinner for 5-6 hours, however low and sluggish offers the most effective texture.
- Take away the Ham Bone & Shred the Meat. As soon as the beans are tender, take away the ham hock or bone, shred the meat, and return it to the soup. Stir all the pieces collectively and regulate seasoning with salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce if desired.
- Serve & Get pleasure from. Ladle into bowls and garnish with contemporary parsley or a sprinkle of purple pepper flakes for added warmth. Serve with cornbread, biscuits, or a crusty baguette for a satisfying meal.
Ideas And Methods
Making Sluggish Cooker Ham and Beans is simple, however a number of skilled suggestions might help you obtain the most effective taste and texture. Listed below are some key tips to make sure your dish seems excellent each time:
- No Must Soak Beans. The sluggish cooker softens the beans completely with out pre-soaking. When you favor a softer texture, a fast soak (boil for two minutes, then let sit for 1 hour) works too.
- Use Leftover Ham. When you’ve got leftover ham from a vacation dinner, chop it up and use it as an alternative of a ham bone.
- For a Thicker Broth. Mash among the beans with a spoon earlier than serving. This creates a naturally creamy texture.
- Add Greens for Further Diet. Stir in chopped spinach or kale half-hour earlier than serving for a dietary increase.
- Make it Spicy. Add cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños for further warmth.
Variations
Sluggish Cooker Ham and Beans is a flexible dish that may be personalized to suit totally different tastes and dietary preferences. Listed below are some inventive variations to attempt:
- Smoky Cajun Model– Add smoked sausage, Cajun seasoning, and diced tomatoes for a Southern twist.
- Tex-Mex Model– Stir in inexperienced chilies, cumin, and chili powder and prime with shredded cheese.
- Vegetable-Packed– Add zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms for further diet.
- Creamy– Mix half the soup for a richer, creamier texture.
- Maple-Glazed Taste– Stir in a tablespoon of maple syrup for a barely candy stability to the smoky ham.
What To Eat With Ham And Beans
Ham and beans is a hearty, comforting dish that pairs properly with a wide range of sides to reinforce its flavors and textures. Listed below are among the finest dishes to serve alongside ham and beans:
- Cornbread– A basic pairing that soaks up all of the scrumptious broth.
- Biscuits– Buttery, flaky biscuits complement the wealthy soup.
- Rice or Quinoa– Serve the beans over cooked rice or quinoa for further heartiness.
- Salad– A crisp, refreshing salad provides stability to the meal.
- Pickled Greens– The acidity of pickled onions or jalapeños pairs properly with the smoky, savory flavors.
How Lengthy Does It Final?
Sluggish Cooker Ham and Beans might be saved within the fridge for as much as 4 days when stored in an hermetic container. The flavors typically deepen over time, making leftovers much more scrumptious.
Can You Freeze It?
When you plan to maintain them longer, freezing is a superb choice. As soon as cooled, switch the ham and beans to freezer-safe containers or resealable baggage, leaving somewhat house for growth. They are often saved within the freezer for as much as 3 months.
Once you’re able to eat your leftovers, thaw them in a single day within the fridge and reheat them on the stovetop over low warmth, including a splash of water or broth if wanted to loosen the consistency.
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Servings: 6 servings
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Directions
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Prep the Elements. Rinse the dried beans below chilly water and take away any particles or damaged beans. Cube the onion, carrots, and celery for added taste and texture.
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Add All the things to the Sluggish Cooker. Place the beans, ham hock (or ham bone), onion, garlic, bay leaf, and thyme into the sluggish cooker. Pour in rooster broth or water till the beans are totally submerged.
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Cook dinner Low and Sluggish. Set the sluggish cooker to low and prepare dinner for 8-10 hours or till the beans are tender and creamy. If utilizing excessive warmth, prepare dinner for 5-6 hours, however low and sluggish offers the most effective texture.
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Take away the Ham Bone & Shred the Meat. As soon as the beans are tender, take away the ham hock or bone, shred the meat, and return it to the soup. Stir all the pieces collectively and regulate seasoning with salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce if desired.
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Serve & Get pleasure from. Ladle into bowls and garnish with contemporary parsley or a sprinkle of purple pepper flakes for added warmth. Serve with cornbread, biscuits, or a crusty baguette for a satisfying meal.
