Crockpot Ham and Beans

a crockpot bowl full of cooked 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!

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 8

Soak Time 4

Total Time 12

Servings

Calories 341

Author Ashlyn Edwards | Belle of the Kitchen

Equipment

1 Crockpot

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

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.

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