Ham and Beans

Ham and Beans

8 servings
You are going to love this flavorful ham and beans dish with the perfect blend of spices, onions, celery and carrots,

Ingredients

  • dried great northern beans

    or dried pinto beans

    1 lb.
  • olive oil
    1 ½ tbsp
  • yellow onion chopped
    1 medium
  • ribs celery chopped
    2
  • carrots peeled and chopped
    3 large
  • garlic minced
    2 cloves
  • dried marjoram
    1 tsp
  • dried basil
    ½ tsp
  • dried thyme
    ½ tsp
  • ground cumin
    ½ tsp
  • ground cayenne pepper
    ¼ tsp
  • bone in ham steak diced

    don't forget to throw in the bone

    1 lb
  • low-sodium chicken broth
    4 c
  • packed light brown sugar
    ¼ c
  • bay leaf
    1
  • kosher salt to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

  1. 1

    Rinse the beans and sort through them, removing any pebbles. Add the beans to a large pot, cover them with cold water, and soak them overnight in the refrigerator. Drain the beans in a colander in the sink and rinse.

  2. 2

    Dry the pot. Heat the olive oil in the pot over medium-low heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrots, cooking and stirring frequently until the carrots and celery are tender.

  3. 3

    Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic, dried marjoram, dried basil, dried thyme, ground cumin, and ground cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.

  4. 4

    Add the diced ham, ham bone, and drained beans to the pot. Add enough chicken broth to cover the mixture. Stir in the brown sugar and add the bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 1 1/2-2 hours or until the beans are tender.

  5. 5

    Fish out the bay leaf and ham bone. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Ham and Beans

Ham and Beans

5.0(8)8 servings352 cal

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Ratings & Reviews

0.0/ 5
Exceptional

Based on 8 ratings

smalltownwoman.com
5.0(8 reviews)
View original recipe

Rating Breakdown

About this Recipe

Craving a deeply satisfying and comforting meal that warms you from the inside out? This flavorful ham and beans recipe is a true testament to simple, hearty cooking, delivering a taste of home without fuss.

Why This Ham and Beans Recipe Works

What makes this ham and beans so special is its thoughtful blend of aromatic vegetables and a robust spice profile. From savory marjoram and basil to a hint of warming cayenne pepper, each ingredient plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor. Plus, using a bone-in ham steak ensures a rich, savory depth that can't be achieved any other way.

What to Expect

Prepare for a truly comforting experience. You'll find tender, creamy great northern or pinto beans swimming in a deeply flavored broth, studded with tender diced ham and perfectly cooked onions, celery, and carrots. The subtle sweetness from brown sugar balances the savory ham and earthy spices, creating a well-rounded dish that feels both traditional and incredibly satisfying. This generous recipe yields 8 servings, making it perfect for family dinners or meal prepping.

Customization & Variations

This versatile dish is easy to adapt to your pantry. While great northern beans are classic, you can confidently use dried pinto beans if that's what you have on hand. For a different flavor twist, consider adjusting the cayenne pepper to your preference, making it milder or spicier. The blend of marjoram, basil, and thyme provides a beautiful aromatic base that's hard to beat.

Serving & Context

This ham and beans dish is the quintessential comfort food, ideal for a cozy dinner on a chilly evening. Serve it simply in a bowl, perhaps alongside a slice of crusty bread to soak up every last drop of the delicious broth.

Frequently Asked Questions