Easy Delicious Cajun Ham and Beans Slow Cooker Recipe

This ham and beans slow cooker recipe is a simple yet flavorful dish. It brings together tender ham, creamy beans, and aromatic seasonings in a convenient slow cooker, allowing you to enjoy a yummy and mouthwatering meal with minimal effort. 

WHAT TYPE OF HAM WORKS BEST IN HAM AND BEANS?

When deciding on the best ham for your ham and beans recipe, consider the flavor profile and texture you desire. Traditional choices like ham hocks or ham shanks impart a rich, smoky essence to the dish. This will infuse each bite with a depth of flavor that's hard to resist.

Alternatively, if you have leftover holiday ham or get ham steak from your meat department, this can also serve as excellent options. It will surely provide a savory twist with every spoonful. Whether you opt for the convenience of diced ham or the robustness of a leftover ham bone, the key lies in selecting a ham that complements the beans and seasoning in your recipe.

Experimenting with different cuts and flavors can lead to discovering the best ham for your pot of beans, ensuring a hearty meal and satisfying dish for your whole family.

WHAT IS THE QUICK SOAK METHOD?

The quick soak method is a great way to prepare dry beans for your ham and beans recipe in a fraction of the time compared to traditional soaking methods. Here are the steps if you want to try this neat trick at home:

WASH BEANS

The first step is reall easy. All you have to do is simply rinse your beans under cold water. Try and remove as much debris as you can too while washing them. 

BOIL THEM

Once the beans are all washed and cleaned, you can then transfer them in a large bowl. Pour and cover them with enough liquid, about 2 inches of water above the beans. After that, bring the water to a boil and let the beans cook for 2 minutes. 

SOAK THE BEANS

When the 2 minutes are up, remove the pot from heat. Cover the beans first with a lid and let those beans soak for about an hour. This process helps soften them. It will reduce their cooking time significantly. 

READY TO USE

Once soaked, drain and rinse the beans before adding them to your recipe. The quick soak method is perfect for any busy mom out there or anyone looking to cut down on cooking time without compromising its flavor.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH HAM AND BEANS?

This ham and bean soup recipe is a perfect way to make any chilly day feel warm and comforting. It is already delicious as it is but pairing it with something is different too. Check these suggestions out:

1. Cornbread

To complement this coziest meal, consider serving it with a side of cornbread. It is a classic side dish that goes well with the rich flavors of ham and beans perfectly. Its slightly sweet and has a crumbly texture. This is ideal for soaking up the savory broth of the dish.

2. Crusty Bread

Whether it's a baguette, ciabatta, or rustic sourdough, crusty bread adds a delightful crunch and chewiness to your meal. Perfect for mopping up any leftover juices or enjoying alongside each scrumptious spoonful.

3. Garnish

Fresh parsley sprinkled on top adds a pop of color and freshness to the plate. You can also add a dash of chili powder to give this great recipe a kick of heat.

4. Fresh Salad

Additionally, a simple side salad with lemon juice dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of the beans and ham. This could also be a light and refreshing salad made with crisp greens, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and your favorite dressing. The acidity and freshness of the salad provide a nice contrast to the dish.

5. Steamed Vegetables

Tender-crisp vegetables such as green beans, broccoli, or carrots make a nutritious and colorful addition to your meal. Steaming helps retain their natural flavors and nutrients, providing a healthy balance to the dish.

6. Soup

A small bowl of soup, such as a clear broth with vegetables or a creamy potato soup, can serve as a comforting accompaniment to ham and beans. The soup adds warmth and depth to the meal, making it even more satisfying during a cold day.

7. Roasted Potatoes

A filling and tasty side is crispy roasted potatoes with herbs and spices. Their soft insides and crusty outsides enhance the ham's meatiness and the creamy smoothness of the beans.

​8. Honey Glazed Carrots

The glazed carrots, sweet and delicate, offer a delightful counterpoint to the savory tastes of the beans and ham. Carrots' inherent sweetness harmonizes with the dish's smoked undertones to provide a pleasing harmony of flavors.

9. Pickled Vegetables

Tangy pickled vegetables like cucumbers, carrots, or peppers offer a burst of acidity and crunchiness that cuts through the richness of the ham and beans. They can be served as a side dish or used as a garnish to brighten up the plate.

10. Cheese Platter

A selection of cheeses, crackers, and cured meats can be served as a pre-dinner appetizer or as a light accompaniment to your ham soup. The combination of different flavors and textures adds variety and indulgence to the dining experience.

WHAT KIND OF BEANS ARE BEST IN HAM AND BEANS?

When it comes to selecting beans for this easy recipe, there are several options to choose from, each offering its own unique texture and flavor. Browse the list below if you have any of these beans on hand:

1. Great Northern Beans

Recipes calling for ham and beans often include for Great Northern beans because of their creamy consistency and flavor-absorbing capacity. They give the meal a rich, complex flavor that goes well with the spicy fragrance of ham shanks or hocks.

2. Navy Beans

Another great alternative to ham and beans are navy beans, which have an equally velvety feel. Their subtle flavor enables them to take up the meaty undertones of the spice and ham, resulting in a tasty and filling dish.

3. Kidney Beans

These beans are a fantastic option for people who like their ham and beans to have a more nutritious texture and earthy flavor. Their heartiness gives the meal complexity and depth, which makes it even more appealing on a cold day.

4. Black Beans

These type of beans can enhance the combination of this recipe by providing a delicate earthiness and a pop of color to the meal. They are an adaptable boost to the recipe because of their silky quality and resilience to long cooking.

INGREDIENTS

To make this yummy ham and beans recipe, you are going to need the following ingredients:

• Cajun Bean Soup
• Cajun Seasoning Packet
• Ham
• Canned Tomatoes & Green Chilies
• Chicken Broth
• Beans

HOW TO MAKE CAJUN HAM AND BEANS IN THE SLOW COOKER

Now that you have gathered all of your ingredients, it is time to make this yummy recipe. Follow the instructions below for the best results!

STEP ONE: PREPARE YOUR BEANS

You ought to soak your beans the night prior to when you intend to prepare this dinner. The beans should be placed in a big bowl or a medium-sized pot. Put aside the packet of Cajun seasoning. Pour enough water over the legumes to cover them by several inches; this would require roughly six cups of water.

STEP TWO: PUT TOGETHER OTHER RECIPES

After draining the beans thoroughly the following morning, transfer them to a sizable slow cooker. Toss in the chopped tomatoes with chilies, the diced ham, and the sachet of Cajun spice. Fill the slow cooker with approximately 8 cups of chicken stock.

You will need a lot of water, particularly if you won't be around to monitor the beans during the day. The components should be submerged completely, plus an additional inch or two.

STEP THREE: COOK HAM AND BEANS

When you are done preparing those, you can start cooking. This is an amazing easy meal that you can just throw in together and leave since it will be in a slow cooker. Cook this on low for 8 hours, or until the beans are tender and ready. 

STEP FOUR: SERVE

Once that is cooked, you can garnish this with parsely. That is optional as well as adding more salt and pepper. Then, you can now serve this and enjoy with the entire family! 

WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS

If you want a hearty, filling meal that is perfect for a Weight Watchers plan follower, you are in luck. This makes a large pot of soup. There are only 20 points for the entire pot! It should make around 8-10 cups of soup. There are approximately 2 points per cup.

CAJUN HAM AND BEANS SLOW COOKER RECIPE CARD

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If you liked this ham and beans slow cooker recipe, be sure to check these other great recipes out:

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