If you’re looking for a hearty, budget-friendly meal, navy beans should be at the top of your list. Whether you know them from classic navy bean soup or the comforting “ham and beans,” this recipe delivers simple ingredients, easy preparation, and crowd-pleasing results.
Today, I’m sharing the best way to make tender navy beans packed with savory flavor, perfect for family dinners, make-ahead meal prep in a crock pot, or feeding a crowd.
Hearty Navy Beans The Easy Way
Guess one of my favorite reasons to whip up a batch of navy beans? It’s the perfect excuse to finally put that holiday ham bone sitting in my freezer to good use. You know the one you swore you’d “do something amazing with it” after Christmas, and then life happened. It’s satisfying to turn leftovers into a meal that tastes like you spent all day working magic in the kitchen, even though your slow cooker did all the heavy lifting. For another hearty bean favorite, you might also enjoy trying this Easy Seasoned Tender Crock Pot Pinto Beans (Vegetarian).
- Easy to Prepare: Simple ingredients and hands-off simmering make it stress-free.
- Great for Entertaining: Perfect for feeding a crowd without breaking a sweat or your grocery budget. Or if you’re in the mood for a big potluck hit, check out Easy To Make Slow Cooker Potluck Recipes.
- Customizable: Vegetarian and Instant Pot versions are easy to create.
Tips Before You Get Started
Soak Your Beans: For the best texture and faster cooking, soak your dried navy beans overnight. If you forget, use the quick soak method by boiling them for a few minutes, then letting them sit covered for an hour.
Use the Right Slow Cooker Size: A 6-quart slow cooker is ideal to give the beans enough room to cook evenly without overflowing. If you’re new to slow cooker cooking, this Crock Pot Cooking Guide is full of handy tips!
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Skipping the soak: Without soaking, beans take much longer to cook and may not soften properly.
- Over-salting early: Ham can release salt as it cooks. Always season at the end once you’ve tasted the finished beans.
- Not enough liquid: Beans absorb a lot of liquid while cooking. Keep extra broth on hand to adjust the flavor as needed.
Ingredient Tips
Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, be sure to check the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Navy beans: Look for small, oval, cream-colored beans. Dried navy beans are an economical option and can be found in bulk bins or packaged in the bean aisle. Substitute with great northern beans if needed.
- Ham bone or diced ham: Check your grocery store’s meat section or ask the butcher for ham bones. I always use a leftover holiday ham bone or substitute it with smoked turkey legs.
- Bay leaf: Find dried bay leaves in the spice aisle. Store them in a sealed container for freshness.
- Chicken broth: Use low-sodium broth for better control over seasoning. Substitute with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version. For a broth variation that adds even more flavor, you might want to check out Easy-To-Follow Guide: Canning Bone Broth.
No, navy beans do not need to be softened by soaking them before cooking. However, rehydrating them will help them cook faster and make them more digestible if you have the time.
Overnight soak: To soak navy beans overnight before using them in a slow cooker, simply place the dried beans in a large bowl and cover them with water. Allow them to soak for at least 8 hours or overnight. This process helps to soften the beans and reduce cooking time. If you choose to soak them, be sure to drain and rinse them before adding them to the slow cooker.
Preboiling: To save time you can preboil the navy beans for 15 minutes before cooking them in the crock pot. This helps to remove some of the indigestible sugars that can cause digestive discomfort. You know the saying, beans beans the more you eat them……. It also helps to jumpstart the cooking process, resulting in softer beans in a shorter amount of time in the crockpot.
How to Cook Navy Beans In A Crock Pot
This is a simple, hearty recipe that’s easy to prepare using your slow cooker.
Prep For Crock Pot Navy Beans
Rinse dried navy beans and remove any debris. Boil them for 15 minutes, then drain and add them to your crock pot.
While the beans boil, chop the onion, celery, and garlic into small pieces. Add drained beans, chopped veggies, ham, bay leaf, thyme, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt.
Add Liquid and Cook
Next, stir in the vegetable broth. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 6 hours, until the beans are soft.
Tip: If you want a creamy navy bean soup remove ⅓ of the soup and blend it with an immersion blender or in a blender until smooth. Stir it back into the crock pot for a creamier texture.
Ingredient Variations and 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 diced vegetables, such as carrots, celery, or potatoes.
- 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.
- 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.
- For a richer broth, add a splash of heavy cream at the end.
Recipe Variations:
- Instant Pot Option: If you are in a hurry, use your Instant Pot. Cook the soaked beans with all ingredients on high pressure for 35 minutes, then perform a natural release.
- Vegetarian Option: Skip the ham and add smoked paprika for depth.
- Ham and Bean Soup: Increase broth slightly and after cooking, then use an immersion blender to slightly puree the soup, leaving some pieces of the beans.
- Spicy Kick: Add a diced jalapeno or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- You can also make a similar hearty soup with 16 Bean Soup: Easy Crock Pot Recipe.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of broth if needed.
Storage: Cool completely and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezing: Freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months. I like to use washi tape to label and date the containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Navy Beans For A Crowd
If you’re feeding a large crowd or taking these navy beans to a potluck, here’s a suggestion on how many cups of cooked navy beans you’ll need per person.
Making this navy bean soup is a great way to feed a crowd. It’s economical and a filling, delicious dinner. On average, you can figure a serving is 1 cup of cooked beans per person.
1 pound of dried beans = 3 cups of dried beans = 6 – 7 cups of cooked beans.
Another great idea for crowds is to check out my How To Serve A Chili Bar: Recipes and Party Ideas post.
Biblical Hospitality Reflection
“Hospitality is not about inviting people into our perfect homes; it’s about inviting them into our imperfect hearts.” — Intentional Hospitality
This simple recipe, using dried beans and a leftover ham bone, reminds me of the story of the loaves and fishes, where God multiplies the little we bring. Just as Jesus took a few loaves and fish and fed thousands, so too can a simple pot of beans be a feast when blessed by a willing heart to share hospitality. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19, ESV). Our tables, no matter how modest, become places where God’s provision and presence are celebrated.
Hostessing Tips for Provision Gatherings
- Hospitality as Ministry: View preparing simple, hearty meals as a way of participating in God’s provision for others.
- Setting a Welcoming Atmosphere: Create a space of warmth by lighting a candle, playing soft music, and greeting each guest with genuine joy, letting them know they are valued far beyond the meal itself.
- Fellowship Over Perfection: Focus on the conversations and laughter around the table rather than serving a fancy meal.
- Prep-Ahead Tip: Soak your beans overnight and pre-chop vegetables the evening before to make your hosting day peaceful and easy.
Table Talk Starter
When have you seen God provide in an unexpected or simple way? How might we better trust Him with the “small things” in our daily lives?
Do you have a question about the recipe? Feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help!
How To Cook Navy Beans: Easy Slow Cooker Recipe
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
You can add any recipe from Intentional Hospitality to your shopping list to plan a full menu!
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried navy beans
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 stalks celery, chopped
- ½ pound ham, use left over ham pieces or a ham hock, ham bone, or smoked turkey leg for extra flavor
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 quarts vegetable broth, can also use chicken broth
Instructions
Prepare the Beans
- Rinse the dried beans and remove any debris or bad beans.1 pound dried navy beans
- Place the beans in a pot of boiling water and boil for 15 minutes, then drain.
Prep the Veggies
- While the beans are boiling, chop the onion, celery, and garlic into small pieces.1 medium onion, 4 stalks celery, 4 cloves garlic
Assemble in the Slow Cooker
- Add the drained beans, chopped veggies, ham, bay leaf, thyme, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and broth to the slow cooker.½ pound ham, 1 bay leaf, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 quarts vegetable broth
Cook the Soup
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 6 hours, until the beans are soft.
- When the soup is finished cooking, be sure to remove the bay leaf and discard.
Blend for a Creamy Texture (Optional)
- Remove ⅓ of the soup and blend it with an immersion blender or in a blender until smooth. Stir it back into the pot for a creamier texture.
Notes
- Bone broth: Use chicken bone broth instead of regular chicken stock
- Add other vegetables: Feel free to add additional vegetables, such as carrots, celery, or potatoes.
- Use a different type of bean: If you can’t find navy beans, you can also use Great Northern beans, pinto beans, or cannellini beans.
- 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.
Equipment
🫘 If you are a bean lover, then be sure to try my Easy Seasoned Tender Crock Pot Pinto Beans (Vegetarian), Vegan White Bean Chili, Slow Cooker Bacon and Bourbon Baked Beans Recipe, Easy Seasoned Tender Crock Pot Pinto Beans (Vegetarian), or my family favorite, The Best Homemade Slow Cooker Boston Baked Beans Recipe.
I always use fatback in my beans. I use onion, beans, fatback, salt, pepper.
Yum, I know using fatback makes them good!
Such a simple recipe and a very tasty pot of beans, I served southern style with a pan of cornbread.
Thanks for sharing Deborah. I added your comment at the top of the post in my reader’s star review.
Great recipe!
Thanks for sharing Kathy!