Ultimate Great Northern Beans

Discover the cozy, soul-warming delight of the "Ultimate Great Northern Beans," a hearty, nutritious recipe brimming with earthy flavors and wholesome ingredients. Perfectly cooked Great Northern beans are simmered with aromatic vegetables like onion, carrot, and celery in a rich vegetable broth, enhanced by smoked paprika, thyme, and bay leaves for an irresistible depth of flavor. A final splash of apple cider vinegar and fresh parsley adds a bright, fresh finish, while optional red pepper flakes provide a subtle kick. This one-pot dish is versatile—serve it as a comforting main course or a hearty side paired with crusty bread or your favorite protein. With easy preparation and a long simmer for tender perfection, it's the ultimate crowd-pleaser for chilly evenings or anytime you crave a nutritious, plant-based meal. Perfect for keywords like "Great Northern beans recipe," "hearty bean stew," and "vegetarian comfort food."

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:135 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Great Northern beans
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 medium Onion
• 4 cloves Garlic
• 1 medium Carrot
• 2 stalks Celery
• 6 cups Vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
• 2 Bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
• 0.5 teaspoons Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

Step 1

Rinse and sort the Great Northern beans, removing any debris or damaged beans. Place the beans in a large bowl, cover with water by at least 3 inches, and soak for 8 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse before cooking.

Step 2

Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 3

Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and chop the carrot and celery into small pieces. Add the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery to the pot and sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened.

Step 4

Stir in the smoked paprika, dried thyme, and bay leaves, and cook for an additional minute to release their flavors.

Step 5

Add the drained and rinsed beans to the pot, followed by the vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.

Step 6

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and creamy. Add more broth or water if needed to keep the beans submerged during cooking.

Step 7

About 15 minutes before the beans are done, season with salt and black pepper. Adjust seasonings to taste.

Step 8

Once the beans are tender and the broth has thickened slightly, stir in the apple cider vinegar and fresh parsley for a bright, fresh finish.

Step 9

If desired, sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes for a touch of heat before serving.

Step 10

Serve warm as a comforting and nourishing main dish, or pair as a side with your favorite protein or bread. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2079.4 grams (2079.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1269

Total Fat 44.40g	57%
Saturated Fat 6.90g	35%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 6919mg	301%
Total Carbohydrate 192.20g	70%
Dietary Fiber 45.00g	161%
Total Sugars 31.80g
Protein 49.30g	99%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 492mg	38%
Iron 13mg	69%
Potassium 2939mg	63%

*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: 29.3%

Protein: 14.4%

Carbs: 56.3%