Hearty Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Ham and Beans Recipe

Slow cooker ham and beans transform ordinary ingredients into a symphony of comfort that dances on your palate.

Robust flavors weave through tender legumes, creating a culinary masterpiece that whispers of home.

Smoky aromas drift from the pot, promising a meal that hugs your soul from the inside out.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this hearty dish, turning simple components into extraordinary dining experiences.

Each spoonful tells a story of tradition and warmth, inviting you to savor every delectable bite.

The slow cooker works its magic, coaxing rich, complex tastes from humble ingredients.

This recipe will make your taste buds sing with pure, unfiltered satisfaction.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours

Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes

Calories: 295 kcal

Servings: 5

What’s in Pioneer Woman Ham and Beans

• Smoked Ham: Select a high-quality, lean cut with robust smoky flavor for maximum taste impact.
• Chicken Stock: Choose low-sodium variety to control salt content and enhance natural ingredient profiles.

• Onions, Carrots, Celery: Pick fresh, firm produce with vibrant colors and no blemishes for optimal texture and flavor.
• Garlic: Select plump, firm cloves without sprouting for intense, pure aromatics.
• Tomato Paste: Look for rich, deep red paste without preservatives for concentrated umami depth.

• Bay Leaf: Choose whole, intact dried leaves with deep green color and strong fragrance.
• Thyme: Pick fresh sprigs with bright green leaves and strong herbal aroma.
• Kosher Salt, Ground Black Pepper: Use freshly ground for maximum flavor intensity.
• Parsley: Select bright green, crisp leaves without wilting for fresh garnish.

• Cannellini Beans: Choose canned beans with no added salt, rinse thoroughly for clean, pure bean texture.

Cooking Tools to Make Ham and Beans Simple

• Skillet: Large, heavy-bottomed pan for sautéing ham and vegetables.
• Cutting board: Sturdy surface for chopping ingredients.
• Chef's knife: Sharp blade for precise vegetable and herb cutting.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for accurate salt and seasoning.
• Slow cooker: Essential for long, gentle cooking of the bean stew.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Colander: Needed to drain cannellini beans.
• Kitchen twine: Used to tie thyme sprigs for easy removal.
• Ladle: Great for serving the finished stew.

How to Cook Hearty Ham and Beans

• Kickstart The Flavor Base

Grab a skillet and warm some olive oil over medium heat. Toss in diced smoked ham and cook until it turns golden and crispy, creating a delicious foundation for your stew.

• Build Your Aromatic Layers

Chop onions, carrots, and celery into bite-sized pieces. Add onions to the skillet with the ham, letting them dance and become translucent. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and cook the vegetables until they soften and release their mouth-watering aroma.

• Elevate The Taste Profile

Stir in minced garlic and a dollop of tomato paste. Let these ingredients mingle and intensify for a couple of minutes, creating a rich, deep flavor that will make your taste buds sing.

• Transfer And Combine

Move the sizzling ham and vegetable mixture into your slow cooker. Pour in some chicken stock to create a luxurious liquid base that will help everything blend together beautifully.

• Add Hearty Elements

Gently fold in drained cannellini beans, a bay leaf, and a bundle of fresh thyme. These ingredients will infuse your stew with incredible depth and rustic charm.

• Slow Cook To Perfection

Cover the slow cooker and let magic happen. On low heat, let the stew simmer for 7-8 hours, or if you’re short on time, use high heat for 3-4 hours until everything is tender and bursting with flavor.

• Final Flourish And Serve

Remove the thyme bundle and bay leaf. Season with ground black pepper and adjust salt to your liking. Sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley on top for a bright, fresh finish that will make this stew absolutely irresistible.

Tips for Richer Flavor and Texture

• Swap Protein Power: Replace smoked ham with diced pancetta, crispy bacon, or chorizo for a different flavor profile and added richness.
• Bean Bonanza: Experiment with different white beans like great northern, navy beans, or butter beans to create unique texture and taste variations.
• Herb Haven: Try fresh rosemary or oregano instead of thyme, or add a pinch of smoked paprika for an extra layer of depth and warmth.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dish a day ahead and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld and intensify overnight for an even more delicious meal.

Ways to Serve Hearty Ham and Beans

• Serve With Crusty Bread: Slice a warm, rustic baguette or sourdough to soak up the rich, flavorful broth. Each bite becomes a delightful experience of tender ham and hearty beans.
• Pair With Fresh Salad: Toss a crisp green salad with light vinaigrette to balance the robust and savory ham bean stew. The fresh greens provide a refreshing contrast to the warm, comforting dish.
• Top With Grated Cheese: Sprinkle sharp pecorino or aged parmesan over the stew just before serving. Melting cheese adds a creamy, tangy layer that enhances the overall depth of flavors.
• Complement With White Wine: Pour a glass of crisp pinot grigio or chardonnay to complement the smoky ham and earthy beans. The wine's acidity cuts through the richness, creating a perfect dining harmony.

Storage Tips for Leftovers or Freezing

• Preserve Peak Freshness: Store leftover ham and bean stew in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping food safety a top priority.
• Refrigerate Smart: Transfer cooled stew to sealed glass or plastic containers, where it will stay delicious for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, maintaining optimal flavor and texture.
• Freeze for Future Feasts: Portion the stew into freezer-safe containers, leaving slight expansion room, and freeze up to 3 months for quick, satisfying meals that taste just as incredible as the day you made them.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated stew gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of chicken stock if needed to restore moisture and prevent scorching.

Ultimate Woman Slow Cooker Ham And Beans Recipe

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4.9 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Pioneer woman slow cooker ham and beans deliver hearty Southern comfort with minimal kitchen effort. Rich smoky flavors meld together effortlessly, creating a classic family meal you’ll savor down to the last spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 8 oz (226 g) diced smoked ham (pre-cooked)
• 2 cans (15 oz or 425 g each) cannellini or navy beans, drained and rinsed
• 4 cups (960 ml) chicken stock
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped into even ½-inch pieces
• 2 celery stalks, chopped into even ½-inch pieces
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) tomato paste
• 6 sprigs of thyme, tied together with kitchen twine
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ tsp kosher salt, plus extra to taste after cooking
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) chopped parsley, for garnish
• Optional: extra drizzle of olive oil for serving

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Instructions

1. Sauté Ham: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, crisp diced smoked ham until golden-brown with caramelized edges.
2. Prepare Aromatics: Finely dice onions, carrots, and celery into uniform pieces for consistent texture and flavor distribution.
3. Develop Base Flavors: Sauté onions with ham until translucent, then add carrots, celery, and salt. Cook until vegetables soften and release their natural sweetness.
4. Layer Complexity: Incorporate minced garlic and tomato paste, stirring quickly to prevent burning and intensify the dish’s depth of flavor.
5. Slow Cooker Assembly: Transfer ham and vegetable mixture to slow cooker, pour chicken stock over ingredients, ensuring complete coverage.
6. Bean Integration: Drain and rinse cannellini beans, add to slow cooker with bay leaf and fresh thyme bundle. Distribute ingredients evenly.
7. Cooking Process: Cover slow cooker and simmer on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, allowing flavors to meld and create a rich, hearty consistency.
8. Final Touches: Remove thyme and bay leaf, season with black pepper and salt. Garnish with fresh parsley and optional olive oil drizzle before serving hot.

Notes

• Sear Ham Strategically: Browning ham before slow cooking intensifies flavor and creates delicious caramelized edges that add depth to the entire dish.
• Vegetable Precision Matters: Chopping vegetables uniformly ensures even cooking and consistent texture throughout the bean mixture.
• Flavor Layering Technique: Cooking tomato paste with aromatics helps develop a rich, complex taste profile that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal.
• Slow Cooker Magic: Low and slow cooking allows beans and ham to become incredibly tender while merging all seasonings into a deeply satisfying comfort food experience.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 295
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg