Slow-Cooked Ham and Bean Stew
A hearty stew simmered slowly with smoked ham and dried beans, creating deep savory flavors from pantry staples. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 255 minutes pairs smoked ham, dried white beans, carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 pound, diced into 1-inch cubes smoked ham
- 1 can (15 oz), rinsed and drained dried white beans
- 2, diced into 1/2-inch cubes (1 cup) carrots
- 2 stalks, diced into 1/2-inch cubes (1/2 cup) celery
- 1, diced (1/2 cup) yellow onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 4 cups, low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place diced smoked ham, rinsed dried white beans, diced carrots, diced celery, diced yellow onion, minced garlic, chicken broth, bay leaf, dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper into a slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Step 2: Cover and cook on high for 4 hours until beans are tender and flavors meld, stirring once halfway through.
- Step 3: Discard bay leaf, adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed, and serve hot.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Ham and Bean Stew take to make?
Total time is about 255 minutes (15 min prep + 240 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slow-Cooked Ham and Bean Stew?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep smoked ham from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Ham and Bean Stew?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow-Cooked Ham and Bean Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Slow-Cooked Ham and Bean Stew?
American slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This stew was a hit with the whole family! The ham was perfectly seasoned and the beans were so tender.
- ★★★★★
A comforting classic. Made it for my kids and they loved it.
- ★★★★☆
Cooked perfectly for my family dinner, but it took a bit longer than the recipe said to get the beans tender.
