When it comes to comfort food, few dishes are as nostalgic and satisfying as Old-Fashioned Ham and Beans. This hearty, soul-warming recipe brings together the savory flavors of tender ham and creamy beans in a rich, flavorful broth, making it the perfect meal for any occasion. Whether it’s a chilly evening or a family gathering, this dish offers a taste of tradition and home-cooked goodness.
Let’s take a closer look at this delicious recipe and explore how it has stood the test of time as a beloved family favorite.
Ingredients for Old-Fashioned Ham and Beans
- 1 lb Great Northern beans (soaked overnight and drained)
- 1/2 lb cooked ham meat (shredded or cubed)
- 1 ham bone (with some meat left on it)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 1/2 tsp garlic salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Water (enough to cover all the ingredients)
Instructions for Making Old-Fashioned Ham and Beans
This Old-Fashioned Ham and Beans recipe is incredibly simple and straightforward, allowing the rich flavors to develop slowly as the ingredients simmer together. Perfect for a cozy evening, it only requires a little patience as it cooks, ensuring that the beans absorb all the goodness of the ham and seasonings.
Step 1: Prepare the Beans
Start by soaking the Great Northern beans overnight. This step helps soften the beans, reducing the cooking time while ensuring that they cook evenly and absorb the delicious flavors from the ham and broth. After the beans have soaked, drain them thoroughly before adding them to your cooking pot.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients
In a large soup kettle or Dutch oven, combine the soaked and drained beans with the cooked ham meat, ham bone, brown sugar, chopped onion, garlic salt, and black pepper. These ingredients come together to create the perfect balance of sweet and savory, making the dish irresistible. The brown sugar adds a subtle sweetness that complements the smoky, savory ham, while the garlic salt and pepper provide just the right amount of seasoning.
Step 3: Add Water and Simmer
Pour enough water into the pot to cover all the ingredients by about 2 inches. The water acts as the base of your broth, helping the flavors meld together as the dish simmers. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and allow it to simmer for 2-3 hours. During this time, the beans will soften and absorb the flavors of the ham and seasonings, while the ham bone will release additional richness into the broth.
Step 4: Stir Occasionally and Taste
As the beans simmer, be sure to stir the mixture occasionally to prevent anything from sticking to the bottom of the pot. After a couple of hours, check the beans for tenderness. If they are soft and the broth has thickened into a hearty, flavorful consistency, it’s ready to serve! Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings as necessary, adding extra salt, pepper, or brown sugar if you prefer a more intense flavor.
Test Kitchen Tips for the Best Ham and Beans
- Using Leftover Ham: If you have leftover glazed ham, you may want to reduce the amount of brown sugar in the recipe. The sweetness from the glaze will contribute to the overall flavor, and too much brown sugar could make the dish overly sweet.
- Choice of Ham: In the test kitchen, we used a smoked ham hock and a ham steak because we didn’t have leftover ham. Both options worked wonderfully, giving the beans a deep, savory flavor. If you don’t have a ham bone, you can substitute with cubed ham or even bacon for an extra touch of smokiness.
- Beans: Soaking the Great Northern beans overnight is essential for achieving the best texture and flavor. If you forget to soak them overnight, you can also use the quick-soak method by boiling them for 5 minutes and then letting them sit covered for about an hour.
- Adjusting Consistency: If your beans absorb too much liquid while simmering and the dish becomes too thick, simply add more water or broth to reach your desired consistency. The beans will continue to soak up the liquid, so be sure to keep an eye on the broth level.
Why Old-Fashioned Ham and Beans is a Timeless Favorite
There’s something undeniably comforting about a big pot of Old-Fashioned Ham and Beans. This dish has roots in humble, everyday cooking, where ingredients were simple, and the focus was on maximizing flavor and nourishment. Whether you’re preparing it for a family dinner or making it to warm up after a long day, it’s a recipe that brings people together.
This meal is versatile, too. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread, cornbread, or a side of sautéed greens. It’s also perfect for meal prepping, as the flavors intensify after a day or two in the fridge, allowing you to enjoy it again without any extra work.
Conclusion:
A Bowl of Comfort
There’s no denying the appeal of Old-Fashioned Ham and Beans. It’s a dish that celebrates tradition, simplicity, and the joys of home-cooked meals. With just a few basic ingredients and a little time, you can create a flavorful and hearty meal that will satisfy both the body and the soul. Whether you’re following the recipe for the first time or preparing it for the hundredth, it’s always a crowd-pleaser that will make your kitchen smell like home.
Next time you’re in the mood for something filling and comforting, give this classic recipe a try. You won’t be disappointed by the warm, savory flavors that come together in a way only Old-Fashioned Ham and Beans can.
