Ham N Beans

Cozy up with a hearty bowl of Ham N Beans, a classic comfort food that’s as satisfying as it is simple to prepare. This rustic dish combines tender great northern beans and smoky ham hock with aromatic vegetables like onion, celery, and carrot for a rich, savory broth that bursts with flavor. Slow-simmered to perfection over a few hours, this one-pot wonder is low-maintenance yet guaranteed to impress. Perfect for feeding a hungry crowd, it’s a warming and wholesome meal that pairs beautifully with freshly baked cornbread or crusty bread. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, Ham N Beans is the ultimate homestyle dinner for chilly nights—budget-friendly, protein-packed, and full of nostalgia.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:195 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried great northern beans
• 1 piece ham hock or ham shank
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 medium carrot, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 piece bay leaf
• 8 cups chicken broth (or water)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the dried beans thoroughly under cold water, removing any debris or imperfect beans. Place the beans in a large bowl, cover with water (at least 3 inches above the beans), and soak overnight. Drain and rinse before cooking.

Step 2

In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the soaked beans, ham hock, diced onion, celery, carrots, and garlic.

Step 3

Add chicken broth (or water) to the pot, ensuring the ingredients are fully submerged. Stir in the bay leaf, salt, and black pepper.

Step 4

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer gently for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.

Step 5

Around the 2-hour mark, check the beans for tenderness. If they are soft and creamy, remove the ham hock from the pot. Shred the meat from the bone, discard the fat, and return the shredded ham to the pot.

Step 6

Remove the bay leaf and taste the broth, adjusting the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.

Step 7

Serve the Ham N Beans hot, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. Pair with freshly baked cornbread or crusty bread for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2916 grams (2916.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2332

Total Fat 48.10g	62%
Saturated Fat 16.20g	81%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 143mg	48%
Sodium 11310mg	492%
Total Carbohydrate 310.60g	113%
Dietary Fiber 75.70g	270%
Total Sugars 24.10g
Protein 156.40g	313%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 900mg	69%
Iron 26mg	143%
Potassium 7099mg	151%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 18.8%

Protein: 27.2%

Carbs: 54.0%