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Learn how to cook great northern beans perfectly with my easy recipe. Simmered with spices and smoked ham, the beans turn out pillow soft with so much flavor.
Love all things beans? Try my chana masala, dahl, butter beans, and Tuscan white bean soup next.
You’ll find white beans in many of soup recipes here, but have you ever considered eating them on their own? With the right flavor boosters, you’d be surprised at how hearty and flavorful they can be!
I make this Instant Pot Great Northern Beans recipe when I need a healthy side dish, a protein-packed topping for grain bowls, or an easy potluck recipe. The beans are nutty and the addition of ham in a flavorful broth makes them completely irresistible! I rarely end up with leftovers by the end of the meal.
What are Great Northern beans?
Great Northern beans or Northern beans are a type of white bean. Similar to chickpeas and cannellini beans, they’re medium-sized, have a mild, almost nutty flavor, and a firm, yet tender texture when cooked.
They’re a popular addition to soups and stews but are just as crave-worthy when served on their own or used as a topping for salads or veggie sides.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Completely hands-off. Thanks to the Instant Pot, I get to relax while the beans cook to tender perfection!
- Anything but boring. A side of white beans may not sound exciting, but thanks to a handful of flavor boosters, you’ll be craving these beans for days after digging in.
- Always crowd-pleasing. When I need a healthy yet family-friendly side dish or something easy to make for dinnertime sides, this ticks the box.
- Multiple cooking methods. I like to use the Instant Pot, but I’ve tested these beans stovetop and in the slow cooker too.
Ingredients needed
- Great Northern beans. I like to use dry beans because they’re tastier than canned, inexpensive, and easy to cook. They’re also loaded with plant-based protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and a long list of other health benefits (source).
- Garlic and onion. These two savory aromatics give this recipe a delicious baseline of flavor.
- Water. To soften the beans and prevent them from sticking to the Instant Pot.
- Chicken stock. Cooking white beans in water AND chicken broth fills them with savory flavors. Feel free to use vegetable broth or just water if you want.
- Smoked ham. Pick up sliced smoked ham from the deli counter or make my homemade recipe. It gives the beans a slightly sweet, smoky, and salty flavor. Leftover home-cooked ham works just as well! You can also chop up some ham steaks too.
- Seasonings. You need salt, pepper, paprika, and ground cloves.
How to cook Great Northern beans
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Soak the beans. Pour the beans into a large pot or bowl and cover with water. Let them soak overnight.
Step 2- Cook. The next day, add the soaked beans and the rest of the ingredients to the Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for 25 minutes, then season to taste when they’re done.
Alternative cooking methods
Before cooking the beans in the instant pot, I also tested this exact recipe both using the stovetop and a slow cooker. If you don’t have an instant pot, try one of the two methods below.
Stovetop method: Cooking dry beans on the stovetop takes a little longer than the pressure cooker but still delivers amazing results. Start by adding the soaked beans and the rest of the ingredients to a medium saucepan. Next, bring the mixture up to a boil, then cover with a lid and lower the heat to a simmer. Finally, let the beans simmer for 6 to 8 hours or until they’re tender.
Slow cooker method: To slow cook, add the soaked beans and the rest of the ingredients to your slow cooker. Cook on High for 4 to 6 hours or until the beans are slightly soft and tender.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Speed up the soak. When I’m in a rush, I’ll quickly soak the dried beans. To do so, add them to a pot and fill it with water, then heat the water to a boil on the stovetop. Boil for a few minutes, then remove the pot from the heat and let the beans soak in the warm water for about 1 to 1 ½ hours.
- Adjust the cooking time. If you don’t want to soak the beans, increase the cooking time by 10 minutes.
Variations
- For a deeper flavor. Start the recipe by sauteeing the onions and garlic in the oiled Instant Pot using the Saute function. Their developed flavors will soak right into the beans!
- Instead of smoked ham. Flavor the beans with my pastrami, turkey pastrami, air fryer bacon, pancetta, prosciutto, or any cured or deli meat you like.
- Vegetarian substitutions. Simply omit the ham from this recipe and cook the beans in vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian version.
- Season with fresh herbs. Try cooking the beans with bay leaves, fresh thyme, oregano, and/or parsley to give them a boost of fresh Italian flavors.
Storage instructions
To store: After cooling, you can store the cooked white beans in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
To freeze: The cooked beans also freeze well for up to 6 months. Let them thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
To reheat: The easiest way to reheat the beans is in the microwave in 30-second increments. You could also reheat them in a pot on the stove over medium-low heat with a small splash of broth.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, try using cannellini beans (white kidney beans) or navy beans instead. These two varieties of white beans are very similar and are good substitutes for each other.
You can, but I wouldn’t recommend using the Instant Pot for it (it will yield mushy beans). Use my stovetop method and then stir through the beans towards the last five minutes of simmering time.
If you aren’t using the instant pot option, you do need to soak the beans overnight or for at least 4 hours.
More cozy veggie sides
Great Northern Beans Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound great northern beans
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 large onion diced
- 4 cups water
- 13 1/2 ounces chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups smoked ham cut into cubes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
Instructions
- Wash and soak the beans overnight or for at least 10 minutes.
- Add the soaked beans, garlic, onion, water, chicken broth, smoked ham, salt, pepper, paprika, and cloves to an Instant Pot. Close the lid, set the vent to the sealing position, and set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 15 minutes. Natural release for 10 minutes.
- Season to taste with more salt and pepper and serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published October 2023, updated and republished November 2024
Yes just needed recipe containing beans as I love them so much. Thanks.
Awesome beans! They reality the spot.
Best and easy taste great filling thank you for a great recipe.
Thanks, Timothy!