Slow Cooker Pinto Beans and Ham is a simple recipe that is hearty, filling, and delicious! This is comfort food! This crock pot pinto beans and ham is a slow cooker dump and start recipe. So easy!
Slow Cooker Pinto Beans and Ham
If you happen to have a leftover meaty ham bone from Easter, or even older in your freezer, go dig it out and make this! Not only will you regain valuable space in your freezer (is that just me?), but you can make this EASY dinner!
To me, easy means minimal work. This is a slow cooker dump and start recipe. All you need to do is chop up an onion and some garlic, dump everything in the crock, turn it on and go do something fun!
Or work. You can go do work, like I do.
Do I need to soak my pinto beans?
Nope! I make this recipe using dry beans. It's the difference of cooking on High heat for unsoaked beans, to cooking on Low heat for soaked beans.
If you have old beans (not sure how you can tell other than they have been in the pantry a looooong time), they take longer to cook. Just a FYI.
What if I don't have a leftover meaty ham bone?
- If your freezer isn't hiding a leftover meaty ham bone, you can go to Honey Baked Ham® (if you have one in your area) and buy one from them. I hear that's a great option.
- You can go to the grocery store and get a couple of smoked pork hocks (ham hocks), or even smoked turkey wings or legs.
- Just add some liquid smoke if you have it, for the smoky flavor, and use chicken or pork (add chicken halfway through cooking).
Does this freeze well?
Yes. Though if your ham bone was frozen already, you may not want to leave it in the freezer for too long.
This crock pot pinto beans and ham recipe reheats like a dream! Great to take to work. Just grab some fresh bread and butter and you are set!
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If you make this crock pot pinto beans and ham recipe, please comment below and let me know how you liked it!
Slow Cooker Pinto Beans and Ham is a simple recipe that is hearty, filling, and delicious! This is comfort food! This crock pot pinto beans and ham is a slow cooker dump and start recipe. So easy!
- 1 Meaty Ham Bone
- 2 ½ cups Pinto Beans (dry or soaked overnight)
- 8 cups Water (6 cups for soaked beans)
- 1 large Bay Leaf
- 5 cloves Garlic, minced (or to taste)
- 1 lg Onion, diced
- ½ teaspoon Thyme Leaves, dried (not ground)
- 2 sprigs Fresh Rosemary
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
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Rinse your meaty ham bone (especially if it has pineapple/fruit on it).
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Add everything except for the salt to the crock. Stir.
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Cook on High for 7-8 hours (for soaked beans cook on Low for 7-8 hours). Stir halfway through cook time and add water if beans are not covered.
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Remove the ham bone and bay leaf and discard.
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Taste and add salt if needed.
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Serve with some bread, if desired.
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Julia
I use this recipe each time when making pinto beans! The only adjustment I make is using chicken or beef broth instead of water.
Dee Magninie
My husband grows pintos. He says the lighter in color the fresher they are. The darker, the older. FYI
Thanks for the recipe!
Sandy
Oh, that's interesting!
Joseph King
It was delicious. We used cut up ham pieces and added celery. We made cornbread to go with it.
shellie
During the winter, I love to make pinto beans with a ham bone from honey baked ham (there is usually a lot of ham on it still). But instead of water, I use beef broth. So delicious and comforting. Goes great with cornbread.
Linda
What can you use in place of a bay leaf? Is it really necessary?
Sandy
You can leave it out.
Susan
Can you use a ham steak and if so, how to cut it?
Sandy
Yes you can. Cut ham into slightly larger than bite-sized chunks.
Shelley
This was the answer I was looking for. Thanks!
B Good
This recipe was delicious. I used a ham bone from Honey Baked Ham. I did not know that was an option. I used a little more pepper at the end and one teaspoon of Creole Seasoning.