Easiest Slow Cooker Ham Hock & Beans Recipe!

There’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty bowl of beans and savory meat to bring comfort on a chilly day. But who has hours to stand over a stove? Enter the slow cooker, your culinary superpower for creating deeply flavorful, hands-off meals. This guide will walk you through the absolute easiest slow cooker ham hock and beans recipe, transforming simple ingredients into a rich, satisfying dish perfect for any weeknight or weekend gathering.

Why Choose a Slow Cooker for This Dish?

The slow cooker is an invaluable tool for dishes like ham hock and beans. It allows for a low and slow cooking process that tenderizes the ham hocks beautifully, extracting all their smoky, savory goodness and collagen, which enriches the beans and creates a luxurious, thick broth. This method also minimizes active cooking time, letting you ‘set it and forget it’ while the magic happens.

The Nutritional Powerhouse: Ham Hocks & Beans

Ham Hocks: More Than Just Flavor

Often overlooked, ham hocks are packed with flavor and provide a surprising nutritional punch. They contribute collagen, which is beneficial for joint health and skin elasticity, as well as essential minerals. When slow-cooked, they impart a smoky depth that elevates the entire dish.

Beans: Fiber-Rich Goodness

Beans are a cornerstone of healthy eating. They are an excellent source of plant-based protein, dietary fiber (essential for digestive health and satiety), and a range of vitamins and minerals like folate, iron, and potassium. Combining them with ham hocks creates a complete and balanced meal.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1-2 smoked ham hocks (about 1.5-2 lbs total)
• 1 lb dried great northern beans (or navy beans), rinsed
• 6-8 cups chicken or vegetable broth (or water)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2-3 celery stalks, chopped
• 2-3 carrots, chopped
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• (Optional) Pinch of red pepper flakes for heat

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Easiest Slow Cooker Ham Hock and Beans Recipe

1. Rinse Beans: Thoroughly rinse your dried beans under cold water. Inspect for any small stones or debris and discard. Soaking is optional, but if you have time, soak them overnight to reduce cooking time and aid digestion.
2. Combine Ingredients: Place the rinsed beans, ham hocks, chopped onion, celery, carrots, minced garlic, bay leaf, and dried thyme into your slow cooker.
3. Add Liquid: Pour in enough broth or water to cover all ingredients by about 1-2 inches.
4. Season: Season lightly with salt and black pepper at this stage. Remember, ham hocks are salty, so you can always add more at the end.
5. Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, or until the beans are tender and the meat easily falls off the ham hocks.
6. Shred Ham: Carefully remove the ham hocks from the slow cooker. Once cool enough to handle, pull the meat off the bones, discarding skin, fat, and bones. Shred the meat and return it to the slow cooker.
7. Final Touches: Stir the shredded ham back into the beans. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Tips for the Perfect Batch

• Soaking Beans: While not strictly necessary for a slow cooker, an overnight soak can reduce cooking time and make the beans more digestible for some. If soaking, drain and rinse before adding to the cooker.
• Broth vs. Water: Using broth will add more depth of flavor than plain water. Chicken or vegetable broth works well.
• Seasoning: Be mindful of salt content, as smoked ham hocks are already salty. Taste and adjust at the very end.
• Veggies: Don’t skip the aromatic vegetables (onion, celery, carrots, garlic) as they form the flavor base.

Serving Suggestions

This humble slow cooker ham hock and beans recipe is a complete meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a side of cornbread, crusty bread for dipping, or a simple green salad. A dash of hot sauce or a sprinkle of fresh parsley can add a nice finishing touch.

Conclusion: Your New Go-To Meal

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This truly is the easiest way to make a comforting, nutritious, and incredibly flavorful meal. The slow cooker does all the hard work, leaving you with a delicious batch of ham hock and beans that’s perfect for meal prepping, feeding a family, or simply enjoying a warm, homemade dish. Give this simple yet satisfying recipe a try, and discover your new favorite way to enjoy a classic!

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