Crockpot Ham and Beans
Crockpot Ham and Beans is a hearty and delicious meal that’s easy to make. Simply combine ham, pinto beans, veggies, and a few seasonings in your crockpot and let it cook low and slow all day. The result is a flavorful and comforting dish the whole family will love!
For more Crockpot Recipes, be sure to check out my Beef Ragu, Crockpot Chicken Alfredo, and Slow Cooker Burrito Bowls.
Crockpot Ham and Beans was a frequent dinner in my house when I was growing up. We usually ate it on Sunday evenings, and it was always prepared by my dad. It was one of his absolute favorite meals, and he loved eating his with a big dollop of mayonnaise on top.
Sometimes my dad would chop up hot dogs to use in place of the ham, which as a kid was how I loved to eat it. He also sometimes served it over rice or mashed potatoes. It’s a versatile dish that’s easy to adapt to your preferences or what you have on hand.
These days, I love eating a big bowl of ham and beans topped with sliced jalapenos and sour cream, with a hunk of cornbread on the side. It’s the perfect warm and comforting dinner, plus it’s budget-friendly and easy to prepare for busy weeknights.
Ingredients for Crockpot Ham and Beans
A full list of ingredients, measurements, and instructions are located in the recipe card below.
- pinto beans
- bone-in ham steak
- white onion
- garlic
- bay leaf
- Spices: salt, pepper, and smoked paprika
How to Make Crockpot Ham and Beans – Step by Step
A full list of ingredients, measurements, and instructions are located in the recipe card below.
- Rinse the pinto beans then soak them in a large bowl of water for at least four hours, or overnight.
- Combine the beans in a slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Use a potato masher to mash some of the cooked beans to thicken the broth.
Tips and Notes
- Soak the beans for at least four hours, or do a quick soak. I prefer to soak my beans overnight, but if I forget (which I do A LOT), a quick soak will work in a pinch. Start by adding your beans to a large soup pot and cover with a few inches of water. Bring to a boil and boil the beans for one minute. Remove the pot from the heat and cover with a lid. Let the pot sit undisturbed for one hour. Drain, and proceed with the Crockpot Ham and Beans recipe.
- What kind of beans to use: I use pinto beans in this recipe. You could also use dry northern beans.
- Brown the ham for extra flavor. If you have time, browning the ham will lend extra smoky flavor. It’s not necessary though!
- Stovetop instructions: add all ingredients (make sure you’ve soaked the beans first) to a large soup pot or dutch oven and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until beans are tender, around 4-5 hours.
- Serving suggestions: we love to eat our ham and beans with rice. It also tastes delicious topped with sliced jalapenos, a squirt of hot sauce, or a dollop of sour cream!
Storing and Freezing
Any leftover crockpot ham and beans can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. It can also be frozen for up to 6 months when stored in a freezer safe container or ziploc bag. Thaw your ham and beans in the refrigerator overnight before heating and serving.
FAQs
Yes, it’s important to soak the beans before cooking them in the crockpot. Soaking the beans helps to ensure they cook evenly and come out tender and creamy.
It takes about 8 hours to fully cook ham and beans in the crockpot.
Yes, you can use canned beans in place of the dried beans, though the flavor profile will be a bit different. Be sure to drain and rinse the beans before adding to the crockpot. Your cook time will also reduce to about 3-4 hours on low when using canned beans.
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!
Recipe: Crockpot Ham and Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry pinto beans
- 2 pounds bone-in ham steak, chopped
- 1/2 white onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 6 cups water
Equipment
- 1 Crockpot
Instructions
- Rinse the pinto beans in a colander under cold water and pick out any small rocks or debris. Soak the beans in a large bowl of water for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Drain and rinse the beans. Combine the soaked beans with the chopped ham, onion, garlic, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika in the slow cooker. Stir in the water.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the beans are tender.
- Discard the bay leaf and ham bone. Then use a potato masher to mash some of the cooked beans to thicken the broth. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Soak the beans for at least four hours, or do a quick soak. I prefer to soak my beans overnight, but if I forget (which I do A LOT), a quick soak will work in a pinch. Start by adding your beans to a large soup pot and cover with a few inches of water. Bring to a boil and boil the beans for one minute. Remove the pot from the heat and cover with a lid. Let the pot sit undisturbed for one hour. Drain, and proceed with the Crockpot Ham and Beans recipe.
- What kind of beans to use: I use pinto beans in this recipe. You could also use dry northern beans.
- Brown the ham for extra flavor. If you have time, browning the ham will lend extra smoky flavor. It’s not necessary though!
- Stovetop instructions: add all ingredients (make sure you’ve soaked the beans first) to a large soup pot or dutch oven and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until beans are tender, around 4-5 hours.
- Serving suggestions: we love to eat our ham and beans with rice. It also tastes delicious topped with sliced jalapenos, a squirt of hot sauce, or a dollop of sour cream!
- Storing and Freezing: any leftover crockpot ham and beans can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. It can also be frozen for up to 6 months when stored in a freezer safe container or ziploc bag. Thaw your ham and beans in the refrigerator overnight before heating and serving.
Such a satisfying dish! Adding on our must make list!
I immediately tried it and it didn’t disappoint!! My whole family loved it!