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great northern beans recipe

Homemade Great Northern Beans Recipe

Creamy, hearty, and nutritious, this Great Northern Beans Recipe is ideal for cozy meals, healthy diets, and meal prepping. With a simple process and a touch of customization, you’ll create a versatile dish that’s delicious and wholesome.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 210
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound 2 cups dried great northern beans
  • 8 cups water
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: 1 smoked ham hock or 1 cup vegetable stock for added flavor

Equipment

  • Large bowl (for soaking the beans)
  • Colander (for rinsing and draining the beans)
  • Large pot or Dutch oven (for cooking the beans)
  • Wooden spoon (for stirring the beans)
  • Measuring cups and spoons – for accurate ingredient measurements
  • Knife and cutting board (for dicing onions and mincing garlic)

Method
 

Sort the beans
  1. Rinse and sort the dried beans, discarding debris.
Soak the beans
  1. Soak beans overnight in a large water bowl so they are fully submerged. Or skip that and bring beans to boil and let them sit, covered, for 1 hour (the "quick soak" method).
Cook the beans
  1. Drain the soaked beans and rinse them.
  2. Add the beans, water, onion, garlic, bay leaf, and optional ham hock or vegetable stock to a large pot.
  3. Bring to a boil, lower heat to a simmer and cook for 1.5 — 2 hours, depending on how soft you want the beans. Stir often and add more water, if necessary.
Season to taste
  1. Add salt and pepper during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Adjust seasoning based on your preference.
Serve and enjoy
  1. Serve hot as a side dish, in soups, or as a salad.

Notes

Storage: Store cooked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
Meal prep: Great northern beans are perfect for batch cooking. Add them to tacos, pasta, or grain bowls throughout the week.
great northern beans recipe
Vegetarian option: Omit the ham hock and use vegetable stock for a vegetarian/vegan-friendly dish.
Keto-friendly: High in protein and low in net carbs, this recipe fits perfectly into a keto meal plan.
great northern beans recipe