Ham and Beans Recipe

Ham: Diced ham adds a savory, smoky flavor to the dish.

Navy beans: These small white beans need to be soaked overnight to become tender during cooking.

Onion: A large onion provides a sweet and aromatic base for the recipe.

Garlic: Minced garlic adds depth and a subtle kick to the flavor profile.

Water: Used to cook the beans and meld all the flavors together.

Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the dish.

Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and balances the flavors.

When preparing this ham and beans recipe, consider using a slow cooker instead of a pot. This allows the flavors to meld together more deeply and ensures the beans become exceptionally tender. Simply combine the diced ham, soaked navy beans, chopped onion, minced garlic, and water in the slow cooker. Set it on low and let it cook for 6-8 hours. Season with salt and black pepper just before serving.

• diced ham - Substitute with smoked turkey: Smoked turkey provides a similar smoky flavor and meaty texture, making it a great alternative to ham.

• diced ham - Substitute with vegetarian sausage: For a vegetarian option, use vegetarian sausage to mimic the savory and hearty qualities of ham.

• soaked overnight navy beans - Substitute with cannellini beans: Cannellini beans have a similar creamy texture and mild flavor, making them a suitable replacement for navy beans.

• soaked overnight navy beans - Substitute with great northern beans: Great northern beans are slightly larger but have a comparable taste and texture to navy beans.

• chopped onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder and slightly sweeter flavor, which can complement the dish well.

• chopped onion - Substitute with leeks: Leeks provide a subtle onion flavor and add a different texture to the dish.

• minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic, though it has a slightly different intensity. Use ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder per clove of garlic.

• minced garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots can add a mild garlic-like flavor with a hint of sweetness.

• water - Substitute with chicken broth: Chicken broth adds depth and richness to the dish, enhancing the overall flavor.

• water - Substitute with vegetable broth: For a vegetarian option, vegetable broth provides a similar depth of flavor without using animal products.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, but use it sparingly to avoid overpowering the dish.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a direct replacement, offering a slightly different mineral content and flavor profile.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor, often described as more earthy and less pungent.

• black pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: For a spicier kick, cayenne pepper can be used, but reduce the quantity to avoid overwhelming the dish.

• Allow the ham and beans to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to soggy beans and spoilage.
• Transfer the cooled ham and beans into airtight containers. For best results, use containers that are the right size to minimize air space, which can cause freezer burn.
• Label the containers with the date and contents. This makes it easier to keep track of how long the ham and beans have been stored.
• Store the containers in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the ham and beans within 3-4 days. This keeps the dish fresh and ready to reheat.
• For longer storage, place the containers in the freezer. The ham and beans can be frozen for up to 3 months without significant loss of quality.
• When ready to reheat, thaw the ham and beans in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even thawing and helps maintain the texture of the beans.
• Reheat the ham and beans on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also reheat in the microwave, using a microwave-safe dish and stirring halfway through the heating process.
• If the ham and beans seem too thick after reheating, add a splash of water or chicken broth to reach the desired consistency.

• Stovetop Method: Place the leftover ham and beans in a saucepan or pot. Add a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. This method helps maintain the texture of the beans and the ham.

• Microwave Method: Transfer the ham and beans to a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. Continue heating in 1-minute increments until hot. This is a quick and convenient method, though it may slightly alter the texture.

• Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the ham and beans in an oven-safe dish. Cover with aluminum foil to retain moisture. Bake for about 20-30 minutes, or until heated through. This method is ideal for reheating larger quantities and helps maintain the dish's original flavor.

• Slow Cooker Method: Transfer the ham and beans to a slow cooker. Set to low heat and cook for 1-2 hours, or until warmed through. This method is perfect for a hands-off approach and keeps the dish moist and flavorful.

• Double Boiler Method: Place the ham and beans in a heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over a pot of simmering water, ensuring the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Stir occasionally until heated through. This gentle method prevents overcooking and preserves the dish's texture.

• Large pot: A large pot is essential for combining and cooking the ham, beans, onion, garlic, and water together. It should be big enough to hold all the ingredients and allow them to simmer without boiling over.

• Wooden spoon: A wooden spoon is useful for stirring the ingredients occasionally to ensure they cook evenly and to prevent the beans from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

• Measuring cups: Measuring cups are necessary for accurately measuring the 6 cups of water needed for the recipe.

• Knife: A knife is needed to chop the onion and dice the ham into small, uniform pieces.

• Cutting board: A cutting board provides a safe and stable surface for chopping the onion and dicing the ham.

• Garlic press: A garlic press can be used to easily mince the garlic cloves, ensuring they are finely chopped and evenly distributed in the dish.

• Measuring spoons: Measuring spoons are necessary for measuring the salt and black pepper accurately.

• Colander: A colander is useful for draining the soaked navy beans before adding them to the pot.

• Ladle: A ladle is helpful for serving the hot ham and beans once they are cooked and ready to eat.

Use canned beans: Substitute soaked beans with canned beans to cut down on prep time.

Pre-chopped ingredients: Buy pre-chopped onions and minced garlic to save time on chopping.

Instant pot: Use an Instant Pot to cook the ham and beans in a fraction of the time.

Batch cooking: Make a larger batch and freeze portions for quick meals later.

Pre-cooked ham: Use pre-cooked diced ham to eliminate cooking time for the ham.