How To Cook Navy Beans In The Crockpot

😊 Why you will love this recipe

There are so many reasons to love this Crockpot navy beans recipe. Not only is it easy to make, but it's also packed with flavor and nutrition. Here are some more reasons why you'll love this recipe:

• It's a budget-friendly meal. Navy beans are an inexpensive protein option that will stretch your food budget further.
• It's a hearty and filling meal. Navy beans are a great source of fiber and protein, making them a filling and satisfying option for dinner.
• It's packed with nutrients. In addition to being a good source of fiber and protein, navy beans are also a good source of iron, folate, and magnesium.
• It's a versatile recipe. This recipe can easily be tailored to your liking. Feel free to add other vegetables, change the spices, or use a different type of bean.

🛒 What groceries will you need?

This Crockpot navy beans recipe calls for only a few simple ingredients that you might already have in your pantry. Here's what you'll need:

• Dried navy beans: You can find these at your local grocery store in the dry beans aisle. You can also use Great Northern beans or cannellini beans if you can't find them.
• Diced onion: You can use any onion that you have on hand. I like to use yellow onion, but white or red onion would also work well in this recipe.
• Celery: I like to add celery to this recipe for some extra crunch, but feel free to omit it if you're not a fan.
• Garlic: This recipe calls for four cloves of garlic, about equal to one teaspoon of minced garlic. You can also use garlic powder if you don't have fresh garlic on hand.
• Chicken stock: This recipe can use store-bought chicken stock or homemade chicken stock. I like to use low-sodium chicken broth to control the amount of salt in the recipe.
• Spices: This recipe calls for dried thyme, smoked paprika, black pepper, and sea salt. You can adjust the amount of each spice to suit your taste preferences.

See the recipe card for a complete list and quantities.

🔪 Crockpot Instructions

Making this Crockpot navy beans recipe is easy! Simply add all the ingredients to your slow cooker and let it do the work for you. Here's how to make it.

• Boil the dried navy beans for 10 minutes (skip this step if you did an overnight soak).
• While boiling, prep the onions, celery, and garlic.

• Drain the beans. Check for any bad beans or debris.
• Put all of the ingredients in the crockpot.

• Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook for 8 hours on the low setting or the high setting for 5-6 hours, or until the beans are soft.
• When cooked, remove ⅓ of the bean mixture to a pan. Use an immersion blender to cream the beans.
• Add the creamed beans back to the rest of the mixture and stir.
• Serve warm, and enjoy!

⭐ Hint: If you prefer not to use a ham hock but want a similar pork flavor, add in one tablespoon of Better Than Bullion Ham Base.

✔️ Substitutions

This Crockpot navy beans recipe is very versatile. Here are a few ideas for how you can change it up:

• Bone broth: Use chicken bone broth vs regular chicken stock.
• Add other vegetables: Feel free to add additional vegetables, such as carrots, celery, or potatoes.
• Change up the spices: If you want to change up the flavor of these beans, try adding different spices, such as a bay leaf, curry powder, or cumin.
• Use a different type of bean: If you can't find dried navy beans, you can also use Great Northern beans, pinto beans, or cannellini beans.
• Make it vegetarian: To make this recipe vegetarian, use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
• Make it vegan: To make this recipe vegan, omit the ham and use vegetable
• Use Ham hock, meaty ham bone, ham shank, or leftover ham: This will add flavor and depth of flavor to your beans. If you don't have any ham on hand, you can also use a smoked turkey leg or some slices of bacon.

⭐️TIP: Have leftover holiday ham? Here are some tips for freezing ham!

🔀 Crockpot vs. instant pot, which is best for beans?

When making navy beans, you have two options: the crockpot or the Instant Pot. Both methods are easy and require little hands-on time. Here's a comparison of the two methods:

Crockpot: The crock pot is ideal for making large batches of beans that can be eaten over several days. It's also a good option if you want to let the beans simmer all day long so that the flavors can meld together.

Instant Pot: The Instant Pot pressure cooker is an excellent option if you want to make a smaller batch of beans or if you want to eat it right away. It's also a good option if you forget to soak the beans overnight (you can cook them in the Instant Pot without pre-soaking).

Ultimately, deciding which cooking process to use is up to you. If you have an Instant Pot, feel free to use it. If not, the crock pot will work just fine.

❓ FAQ

Do navy beans need to be soaked before cooking?

No, navy beans do not need to be soaked before cooking. However, soaking the beans overnight will help them cook faster and make them more digestible if you have the time.

Can I freeze these navy beans?

Yes, you can freeze these navy beans. First, let the beans cool completely, then transfer them to freezer-safe containers or bags.

Be sure to label the containers with the date so you know how long it's been in the freezer. For example, Navy beans will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

What is the difference between navy beans and white kidney beans?

The main difference between navy beans and white kidney beans is their color. Navy beans are small, white beans, while white kidney beans are larger and slightly off-white. However, both types of beans have a similar texture and flavor.

How do you know when navy beans are done?

Navy beans are done cooking when they are soft and can be easily pierced with a fork. If the beans are not quite ready, continue cooking them until they reach the desired consistency.

Why are my navy beans not getting soft?

There are a few reasons why your navy beans might not be getting soft. One possibility is that the beans are too old and have gone bad. Another possibility is that you're not using enough water or broth. If you do not cook with enough liquid, you will not end up with very soft beans.

If you are using old beans or do not have enough liquid, try buying a bag of fresh, dried beans and adding more liquid. This should help them to soften up. You may also need to cook the beans for longer than the recipe states if they are particularly stubborn.