Interrupting my regularly scheduled holiday dessert line-up to bring you this very easy and very delicious Slow Cooker White Beans recipe. Apparently, rumor has it that we can’t live on sweets alone. So, here’s some sustenance until the sugar returns.
We make beans, in some form or another, on a weekly basis at home. Beans are my favorite food to cook in the slow cooker. They’re simple, quick, and consistently good. I really love a meal that can be prepared early to free up busy evenings. Our bean rotation usually consists of New Orleans Red Beans, Cuban Black Beans, or these White Beans…all simple slow cooker recipes.
Years ago, I used to make a different white bean recipe on the stove-top. It had more ingredients than this one and the prep was a bit time-consuming. I eventually stopped making it. The girls weren’t crazy about it and my husband got tired of it. Now, years later, this version has restored their love for white beans and it is much simpler than my previous one. My brother’s kids also loved it when I made it for them recently. It’s a definite win when little ones approve, especially when the meal is so nutritious.
Yes, what you’ve heard is true. Beans really are good for your heart. They can help lower blood cholesterol (a leading cause of heart disease) when eaten regularly. They’re also a great source of protein, fiber, magnesium, and antioxidants. Eat more beans!
Some slow cooker meals involve long ingredient lists or multiple steps prior to starting the actual cooking process. Not this one! Only 4 ingredients (not counting the salt & pepper) and no stove-top pre-cooking. I’ve actually even made this with 3 ingredients, when I didn’t have an onion on hand, and it was still great. All you need is a pound of white beans, a can of diced tomatoes, a small onion, and a ham hock.
The prep here truly couldn’t be easier. The only work required is the opening of a can and the chopping of an onion. Everything is then placed into the slow cooker at the same time and cooked on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours. Mine are usually done when cooked on low for 6 hours, but my slow cooker runs a little on the hot side. Just cook them until they are very soft and creamy.
My kids like to eat these beans with rice, but another great option is to serve them with a side of crusty bread. You can also top with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil or shredded Parmesan. A nice side of greens pairs nicely too.
This Slow Cooker White Beans recipe is a great idea for busy days – a true “set it and forget it” meal with 5 minute prep. Perfect for the hustle and bustle of the holidays. It is sure to take a little stress out of your dinner routine and is very delicious and comforting. Enjoy!
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Slow Cooker White Beans
These Slow Cooker White Beans are deliciously creamy and so flavorful. Only 4 ingredients and 5 minute prep time!
- 1 lb (16 oz) Great Northern White Beans
- 6 cups water
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (do not drain)
- 1 smoked pork/ham hock (about 1 lb or slightly smaller)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
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Pick through beans to remove any debris and rinse well. Place into slow cooker. Add 6 cups water and all remaining ingredients.
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Cook covered on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours until beans are soft and creamy. Discard pork/ham hock. Serve with crusty bread or rice. Top with extra-virgin olive oil or shredded Parmesan cheese, if desired.
There is no need to pre-soak beans prior to cooking. Just make sure beans are not old. Old beans will never soften, even after many hours of cooking. Check expiration date and smell the bag. They should not have a smell.
Cooking time and heat varies depending on different slow cooker models. If yours runs hot, use the lower end of the cooking time and vice versa.
These freeze well if tightly covered.
I am so glad I tried this recipe. It was easy to prepare, and everyone loved it. Very tasty and comforting. The perfect meal for a busy day! I will definitely be making this more often. Thank you.
Thanks for commenting. So happy you & the family liked it 🙂
Blanca,
your website is great. I am 63 yo. I have seen many recipes.
the most exciting one I found today was the cuban coffee.
I am so excited to try it and savor that wonderful, cuban coffee taste I so often yearn for.
Gracias, Gracias.
Hi Sonia. Thank you for taking the time to tell me that. I hope you enjoy the Cuban Coffee. I don’t know what I would do without it! There are a few other Cuban recipes on here that you might like too 🙂
Mattias will attempt this recipe this week. He wants to learn how to cook!
This is a good starter recipe. It’s very easy. Tell him to try out the Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken too…another really tasty, really easy one.
I tried out the lemon chicken one myself like a week ago which was great!
I would like to make this soup creamer, something like your cuban black bean recipe. Any suggestions?
Hi Grace! To thicken these more, you can remove some of the beans (maybe about 1 cup), mash them and put them back in. This is how I thicken my black beans too! They will thicken on their own quite a bit upon refrigeration as well, even without mashing. Hope that helps 🙂