Great Northern Beans Recipe
This great northern beans recipe is hearty, cozy, and packed with flavor. A Southern classic made easy with pantry staples and slow-cooked goodness!
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried great northern beans soaked overnight or quick-soaked – see tips
- 6 cups chicken broth or water – broth adds depth
- 1 ham hock or smoked turkey leg for smoky, meaty flavor
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 carrots diced
- 2 celery ribs diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme optional
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Soak the Beans (8–12 hours or quick-soak)
- Place beans in a large bowl, cover with water by 2 inches, and soak overnight.
- Or, for a quick soak: place beans in a pot, cover with water, bring to a boil for 2 minutes, then let sit (off heat) for 1 hour. Drain and rinse.
- Sauté the Aromatics (5 minutes)
- In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in garlic and cook another minute until fragrant.
- Add Beans and Broth (5 minutes)
- Stir in the soaked beans.
- Add broth, ham hock (or smoked meat), bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil.
- Simmer (1.5–2 hours)
- Reduce heat to low and cover partially.
- Simmer until beans are tender and creamy, about 90–120 minutes.
- Stir occasionally and add more broth or water if needed.
- Finish and Serve
- Remove ham hock, shred any meat, and return it to the pot.
- Discard bay leaves.
- Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Soaking beans overnight shortens cooking time and makes them easier to digest.
- Don’t add acidic ingredients (like tomatoes or vinegar) until beans are fully tender, or they may stay tough.
- For vegetarian beans, omit the ham hock and use vegetable broth with smoked paprika for flavor.
- Beans absorb liquid as they cool—add a splash of broth or water when reheating.
- Freezer-friendly: store cooled beans in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months.