Emilie Meyer
Cooking northern beans in a crockpot is a great way to make a large batch of beans, and it's a simple and hands-off process. The long cooking time means that the beans will definitely soften, and you can add a variety of ingredients to make a tasty and hearty meal. Northern beans are larger than navy beans but smaller than cannellini beans and have a delicate nutty flavour. They are versatile and protein-packed, and you can serve them as a side dish or add them to salads, soups, stews, and more.
How to cook northern beans in a crock pot
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Beans | Great Northern, Navy or cannellini beans |
| Soaking | Overnight in a large bowl of water (optional) |
| Cooking time | High for 4-5 hours or low for 7-8 hours |
| Ingredients | Ham hocks, smoked neck bones, vegetables (carrots, celery, onion), broth, vinegar, sugar, hot sauce, salt |
| Serving suggestion | Cornbread or biscuits |
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What You'll Learn
Soaking the beans
To soak the beans, start by rinsing them under cool, running water. Remove any shrivelled, discoloured, or otherwise unappetising beans, as well as any small stones or foreign objects. Transfer the beans to a large bowl and cover them with several inches of clean water. Add a teaspoon of salt if desired; this will help keep the beans intact during cooking and prevent "blow-out" beans. Let the beans soak for 8 hours to overnight, then drain the water and rinse the beans again before adding them to the crock pot.
For a quicker cooking time, or if your beans are older than a year, you can also try soaking the beans overnight in a brine solution. To make the brine, mix 1 1/2 tablespoons of salt into 8 cups of water. This will further help to soften the beans and reduce cooking time.
While not necessary, pre-soaking the beans can improve the texture and digestibility of the final dish. It is especially useful if you are short on time when it comes to the actual cooking process, as it reduces the cooking time required for the beans to become tender.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for northern beans in a crock pot can vary depending on the desired level of doneness and the specific crock pot being used. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Firstly, it is recommended to soak the beans overnight in water to make them softer and easier to digest. This step is optional, but it can reduce the cooking time. If you are using kidney beans, it is important to boil them for 10 minutes before cooking to neutralise toxins.
After soaking and rinsing the beans, transfer them to the crock pot and cover them with water or low-sodium chicken broth by about 2 inches. You can also add aromatics like bay leaves, garlic, and salt to taste at this stage.
For cooking, there are two temperature settings you can use:
- High: Cook the beans on high heat for 2 hours. Then, reduce the heat to low and continue cooking for an additional 4 to 6 hours.
- Low: Cook the beans on low heat for 6 to 8 hours. Start checking the beans after 5 hours and then every 30 minutes until they are cooked to your desired level of doneness.
It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the crock pot and the type of beans used. It is recommended to check the beans regularly, especially if you are using a crock pot for the first time, to ensure they are cooked to your liking.
Once the beans are tender, you can remove any meat or bones that were added for flavour and shred the meat before returning it to the crock pot. Give the beans a good stir, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Finally, serve the beans hot with cornbread or biscuits, or use them in salads, soups, stews, or as a dip. You can also store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze them for later use.
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Adding meat
Choosing the Meat
There are several types of meat that pair well with northern beans. Ham is a popular choice, and you can use ham hocks, ham shanks, or leftover ham chunks. These options add a smoky flavor to the dish. Alternatively, you could use bacon, which also adds a nice smoky taste. If you don't have ham or bacon, you can use a smoked turkey leg for a similar effect. For a different flavor profile, consider using salt pork or a meaty ham bone.
Preparing the Meat
If you're using ham hocks or shanks, you'll want to cook them in the crockpot with the beans and other ingredients. The meat will become tender and fall off the bone, which you can then remove before shredding the meat and returning it to the crockpot. If you're using leftover ham or pre-cooked bacon, you can add it towards the end of the cooking process to heat it through.
Seasoning and Broth
When adding meat, be mindful of the salt content in the dish. Ham and bacon can release salt as they cook, so it's best to season at the end, tasting as you go. You can also add ham seasoning to enhance the smoky flavor. If you want a richer broth, replace some or all of the water with chicken or vegetable broth.
Soaking the Beans
While not mandatory, soaking the beans before cooking can help reduce cooking time and make them easier to digest. Simply cover the beans with cool water and let them soak for 3-8 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse the beans before adding them to the crockpot. Remember to adjust the liquid amount in your recipe if you've soaked the beans.
Cooking Time and Temperature
The cooking time and temperature will depend on your crockpot and personal preference. Most recipes recommend cooking the beans on high for the first hour or two, then reducing the heat to low for an additional 4-6 hours. However, you can also cook them on low for 7-8 hours if you prefer a slower cook.
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Aromatics and seasoning
For a smoky, meaty flavour, you can add a ham hock, ham shank, or bacon to your northern beans. If you use a ham hock or ham shank, remove the bone before serving. You can also add vegetables such as carrots, celery, and potatoes to your beans for extra flavour and texture.
To enhance the flavour of your beans, you can replace some or all of the water with vegetable or chicken broth. You can also add seasonings like pepper, brown sugar, or hot sauce to taste. If you want a nuttier flavour, try toasting the beans before adding them to the slow cooker.
Remember, the beauty of cooking northern beans in a crockpot is that you can easily customise the flavours to your taste preferences. So feel free to experiment with different aromatics and seasonings to find your perfect combination.
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Storing and reheating
Storing your northern beans is easy. Once they're cooked, let them cool thoroughly before packing them into airtight containers and storing them in the fridge. Make sure you leave about half an inch of space at the top of each container to allow for expansion. You can also freeze your beans in airtight containers or zip-close freezer bags.
Your beans will last in the fridge for between three and seven days. If you've frozen them, they'll last for up to three months. It's best to portion your beans before freezing so you can easily take out what you need. Two-cup portions are a good size for recipes.
To reheat your beans, you can use the microwave or a saucepan on the stove. If you're reheating from frozen, let the beans thaw in the refrigerator first.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to cook the beans on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 7-8 hours.
Soaking the beans before cooking is optional but recommended, as it reduces the cooking time and makes them easier to digest. It is suggested to soak the beans in water for 12-24 hours or overnight.
You can add a variety of ingredients to the crockpot with northern beans, such as ham hocks, ham shanks, smoked neck bones, or vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery. You can also add seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic, and bay leaves, and liquids like water, chicken broth, or vegetable broth.
