This Slow Cooker White Beans with Smoked Ham Hocks recipe is a big, warm bowl of comfort that takes only 15 minutes to prep.
Prep Time 20 minutesminutes
Cook Time 8 hourshours
Total Time 8 hourshours20 minutesminutes
Servings 12servings
Ingredients
2medium onionsdiced
2large carrotsdiced
4ribscelery
6garlic cloves
1teaspoondried thyme leavesor 1 tblsp. fresh
2tablespoonsolive oil
3large meaty smoked ham hocks
1pounddried Great Northern beans
6 ½cupschicken stock
2teaspoonssalt
Optional garnishes: diced fresh tomato, diced red onion, snipped chives
Instructions
Cut the onion into medium (1/2-inch) dice. Peel the carrots and cut them and the celery into approximately 1/2-inch pieces. Coarsely chop the garlic.
Place a skillet over medium high heat. Add the olive oil, swirling it to coat the pan. Add the onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and thyme.
Cook, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes or until the onions begin to appear translucent.
Place the vegetables along with the ham hocks, beans, and chicken stock in a large (6-quart or larger) slow cooker.
Cook on low for 8 hours.
About 1 hour before the cooking time is complete, remove the ham hocks from the slow cooker and let them cool until they can be handled. Remove and discard the bones, fat, and skin from the ham hocks. Chop or shred the meat and return it to the slow cooker with the beans.
Add the salt and continue cooking until the beans are completely tender.
Garnish individual servings with diced fresh tomato, diced red onion, and/or snipped chives.
Notes
If you have leftover ham, you can use it in place of the ham hocks. Cut the ham into about 1/2-inch cubes.
Smoked turkey wings are a great substitute for ham hocks if you prefer not to use pork.
Allow the beans to cool completely and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium-low heat.