Navy beans, also known as haricot beans, are a versatile type of bean that can be used in soups, stews, salads and more. When cooked properly, navy beans become tender and creamy. In this article, I will instruct you how to cook navy beans in 3 different ways.

1. Do I Need to Soak Navy Beans Before Cooking?

Soaking navy beans is an important step for certain cooking methods. For crock pot and stovetop methods, soaking is highly recommended. This process softens the beans, reduces cooking time, and ensures even cooking.

To soak, rinse the navy beans thoroughly under cold water, place them in a large bowl, and cover with water. Allow them to soak for 8 to 12 hours or overnight. Once soaked, drain and rinse the beans before cooking. For the Instant Pot method, soaking is not necessary, as the pressure cooking process breaks down the beans efficiently.

2. How To Cook Navy Beans in Crock Pot

The crock pot method is ideal for slow-cooked, tender beans that absorb the smoky flavor of ham hocks. This process is simple and requires minimal supervision.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound navy beans (soaked and rinsed)
  • 2–3 ham hocks
  • 6 cups water or chicken broth
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Add the soaked navy beans to the crock pot.

Place the ham hocks on top of the beans, followed by the onion, garlic, and bay leaf.

Next, pour in water or chicken broth until the ingredients are fully submerged. Then cover and cook on low for 8–10 hours or on high for 4–5 hours.

Once the beans are tender, carefully remove the ham hocks. Shred the meat off the bones and return it to the crock pot.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm and enjoy.

3. How To Cook Navy Beans in Instant Pot

For a quicker cooking process, the Instant Pot is the perfect choice, allowing you to prepare navy beans and ham hocks in a fraction of the time.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound navy beans (soaked or unsoaked)
  • 2–3 ham hocks
  • 6 cups water or chicken broth
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Rinse the navy beans, even if you’re using unsoaked beans.

Next, add the beans, ham hocks, onion, garlic, bay leaf, and liquid to the Instant Pot. Then secure the lid and set the valve to the “Sealing” position.

For unsoaked beans, set the Instant Pot to cook on Manual/Pressure Cook for 45 minutes. For soaked beans, set it for 25–30 minutes.

Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes before performing a quick release.

Remove the ham hocks, shred the meat, and return it to the pot. Finally, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

4. How To Cook Navy Beans on Stove

The stovetop method is the traditional way to cook navy beans with ham hocks, delivering rich flavors and tender beans. This method requires some attention to ensure the beans cook evenly.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound navy beans (soaked and rinsed)
  • 2–3 ham hocks
  • 6–8 cups water or chicken broth
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

In a large pot, add the ham hocks, navy beans, onion, garlic, and bay leaf then pour in water or chicken broth until the ingredients are fully submerged

Next, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer the mixture over low heat for 1.5–2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent the beans from sticking to the bottom.

Check the beans for tenderness. If needed, add more liquid and continue cooking until the beans are fully tender.

Remove the ham hocks and shred the meat, and return it to the pot.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately for a comforting, homemade meal.

Cooking navy beans with ham hocks is a delicious way to enjoy a hearty, protein-packed meal. I hope that after reading this article, you knew how to cook navy beans perfectly at home. Whether you’re using a crock pot, Instant Pot, or stovetop, the key is to allow the flavors to develop fully as the beans become tender and the ham hocks infuse the dish with smoky richness.

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Julia Jane is a home cook inspired by her mother's cooking. With the desire to share my cooking experiences with everyone, she created this website

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