Crock Pot Great Northern Beans
This Crock Pot Great Northern Beans recipe offers a warm, hearty, and flavorful slow-cooked bean dish that’s effortless to prepare. Using simple pantry staples and a slow cooker, the beans become tender and infused with savory seasonings, making it a comforting and customizable meal perfect for meal prep or a cozy dinner.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus overnight soaking)
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian (if using vegetable broth and no meat)
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound Great Northern Beans, rinsed and soaked
- 1 medium Onion, diced
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 medium Carrots, chopped
- 2 stalks Celery, chopped
- 4 cups Vegetable or Chicken Broth
- 2 Bay Leaves
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Optional Spices
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Thyme
- Prep the Beans: Rinse and sort the Great Northern beans to remove any debris. For best results, soak the beans overnight or use a quick soak method to soften them and reduce cooking time.
- Combine Ingredients in the Crock Pot: Add the soaked beans, diced onion, chopped carrots, celery, minced garlic, bay leaves, and broth into the slow cooker. Stir well to mix all flavors together.
- Cook Low and Slow: Set the crock pot to low heat and cook the beans gently for 6 to 8 hours, allowing them to absorb the seasonings and become tender without breaking apart.
- Season and Finish: After cooking, remove the bay leaves. Season with salt, pepper, and any additional preferred spices. Stir thoroughly and taste to adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve Warm: Scoop the beans into bowls and enjoy a cozy, flavorful meal. Garnish as desired with fresh parsley, olive oil, or grated Parmesan.
Notes
- Use soaked beans to ensure even cooking and reduce cooking time.
- Cook on low heat to achieve tender beans without them falling apart.
- Layer flavors by adding vegetables and herbs to enrich the dish naturally.
- Check liquid levels during cooking, adding more broth if the beans absorb too much.
- Salt towards the end of cooking to prevent beans from toughening.
- For a thicker stew texture, mash a portion of the beans near the end or add cornstarch mixed with water.
- This recipe is versatile: use vegetable broth and extra veggies for a vegetarian version or add smoked sausage for smoky flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Crock Pot, Great Northern Beans, slow cooker recipe, hearty beans, vegan beans, easy bean recipe, meal prep beans