My Navy Beans Recipe is pure comfort food. For the tastiest bowl of beans ever, soft white beans cook with ham, aromatic vegetables, cherry tomatoes, and lots of herbs.
They are quick and easy to make with canned beans or dried beans. Either way, my simple recipe will make you love the humble legume even more.
Legumes and beans stand out as some of the most nutritious yet wallet-friendly ingredients available. And there’s so many different ways to cook them.
When you have a can or bag of beans, you can cook with a lot of different flavors. Our Cannellini Beans have Mediterranean flavors, Cajun Red Beans have spicy flavors, and my favorite are Puerto Rican Habichuelas.
You can find exact measurements in the recipe card at the end of the post. Here is what you will need:
Navy beans are a versatile pantry staple But their subtle flavor can make it challenging to make them taste great. If you find navy beans to be a bit bland or boring, this guide will completely change how you cook them!
Below I’ll share my top tips and favorite recipes for coaxing out the best flavor from navy beans to make them absolutely delicious. Let’s dive in!
1. Choose Good Quality Beans
It all starts with using high-quality dried navy beans Seek out reputable brands known for tasty beans, or try to buy from a local source The fresher the dried beans, the better the flavor once cooked.
Inspect the beans to avoid any that appear shriveled, cracked or broken. And give them a quick rinse before soaking or cooking. Good beans from the start set you up for navy bean success!
2. Soak Them Thoroughly Before Cooking
Soaking is a crucial step for well-cooked, tender navy beans with great texture. The general recommendation is:
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Soak beans for 8 hours or up to overnight in plenty of water.
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For a quicker soak, bring them to a boil for 2 minutes then soak for 1 hour.
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Discard the water after soaking to remove indigestible compounds that cause gas.
Proper soaking allows beans to rehydrate and cook more evenly. It improves the flavor and makes them easier to digest.
3. Cook Them Long Enough
Undercooked navy beans will be tough and taste starchy. Be patient and cook them long enough to reach tender perfection.
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For stovetop, simmer for at least 1 hour, up to 1 1/2 hours.
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For a slow cooker or pressure cooker, cook according to manufacturer’s guide.
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Test a few beans periodically; they should be soft all the way through.
When sufficiently cooked, navy beans become velvety smooth and taste richer. Don’t rush this step.
4. Flavor the Cooking Liquid
Adding savory flavor to the liquid is an easy trick to boost navy bean taste.
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Cook beans in broth, not just water. Chicken or veggie broth adds the most flavor.
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Include aromatic veggies and herbs like onion, garlic, bay leaves, parsley or cilantro.
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Season the cooking liquid well with salt, pepper, cumin, coriander or other spices.
Beans will absorb surrounding flavors as they cook, so amp up the taste of the liquid for more flavor infusion.
5. Finish with Acid and Herbs
Brightening up navy beans with acidity and fresh herbs right before serving makes them pop.
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Splash beans with lemon juice, vinegar, or tomato just before eating.
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Toss beans with torn basil, parsley, cilantro, green onion, or chives.
The acid and herbs liven up the beans’ flavor for a fresher, more vibrant taste.
6. Embrace Creamy Bean Broths
The starchy cooking liquid from beans is loaded with flavor. Transform it into a luscious broth or sauce:
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For soups, blend some cooked beans and bean liquid into a creamy base.
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Make bean dip by blending beans with the liquid into a smooth puree.
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Use bean broth to make gravy, reductions, or pan sauces.
Cooking navy beans in broth, then using that flavor-packed liquid creates double the taste.
7. Cook Beans With Aromatic Veggies
Cooking beans together with aromatic vegetables infuses them with layers of flavor. Try:
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Sautéing onion, garlic, and peppers then adding beans.
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Simmering beans with tomato, zucchini, spinach or cabbage.
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Adding carrots, celery, or fennel to the cooking liquid.
The vegetables impart sweetness, bright notes, and richness to transform plain beans into something special.
8. Brown Them for Deeper Flavor
Browning navy beans in oil or bacon fat before simmering adds a toasty depth and savoriness.
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Cook chopped onion then beans in olive oil until lightly browned.
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Fry cooked beans in rendered bacon fat for a smoky note.
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Sauté spices like cumin or chili powder before adding beans.
This extra step brings out new dimensions of flavor and makes navy beans irresistible.
9. Spice Things Up
Layering spices into navy beans packs a flavor punch. Some tasty options:
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Chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne for Tex-Mex style.
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Curry powder, turmeric, garam masala, coriander for Indian flair.
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Smoked paprika, garlic powder, thyme for hearty flavor.
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Cinnamon, allspice, cloves for warmth.
Spice rubs, seasoning blends, and individual spices all add interest that plain beans lack on their own.
10. Toss Beans with Bold Vinaigrettes
Pungent vinaigrettes and dressings make easy flavor-boosters for beans. Simply toss cooked navy beans with:
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Robust olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing.
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Tangy citrus herb vinaigrette with shallot and Dijon.
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Punchy balsamic dressing with garlic and lots of black pepper.
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Bright lemony dressing with fresh dill.
Vibrant, acidic dressings give navy beans a bold flavor kick. Try making your own or use store-bought.
11. Mix Beans Into Hearty Soups & Stews
Adding navy beans to soups and stews allows them to soak up all the surrounding flavors. Great matches include:
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Hearty tomato-based minestrone or pasta e fagioli soup.
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Smoky ham and bean stew packed with vegetables.
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Spicy chili con carne with tomatoes, peppers and spices.
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Rich pumpkin or butternut squash soup pureed with beans.
The complex flavors of soups and stews seep deliciously into every bean.
12. Pair Beans with Smoked Meat
Smokey, savory meats give navy beans a major flavor upgrade. Bacon, ham, and sausage are perfect matches.
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Cook beans in hocks, bacon ends, or other smoky pork parts.
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Sauté beans with bacon lardons, chopped bacon, or pancetta.
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Mix in pulled pork, shredded ham, or sausage crumbles.
The deep, meaty flavors balance out the beans’ natural mildness.
13. Mash Them Up
Mashing some of the navy beans thickens the consistency for a creamier bean dish with more body and flavor.
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For chunky texture, mash just 1/4 to 1/3 of the beans.
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To make it smooth, mash up to half the beans, adding bean liquid for a creamy soup or dip.
Mashing concentrates the bean taste and gives a more substantial, hearty result.
14. Incorporate Umami-Rich Ingredients
Adding umami-packed foods amplifies savoriness and depth of flavor. Try:
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Mixing in Parmesan rinds while cooking then removing.
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Topping beans with grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese.
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Adding soy sauce, fish sauce, anchovies, miso or sun-dried tomatoes.
The savory umami punch balances the beans’ natural sweetness.
15. Finish with Sweet and Tangy Elements
Contrasting navy beans’ earthy flavors with sweet and tangy components heightens their taste. Ideas:
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Drizzle with sweet balsamic glaze, honey, pure maple syrup or brown sugar.
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Garnish with sweet-tart fruits like figs, dates, or cranberries.
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Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds for pops of sweetness.
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Squeeze fresh orange or grapefruit juice over the beans.
A touch of sweetness or acid makes navy beans shine.
Craveable Navy Bean Recipes to Try
Now that you’re armed with plenty of tips, here are some irresistible navy bean recipes guaranteed to be hits:
– Navy Bean Soup with Ham
This classic is pure comfort! Simmer beans and ham hock, then puree some beans for a creamy base.
– Mediterranean Navy Bean Salad
Toss warm beans with fresh spinach, bell peppers, olives, feta, and tangy lemon dressing.
– Navy Bean Chili
Spiced up with chili powder and pepper flakes, beans pair perfectly with ground turkey or beef.
– Navy Bean Hummus
Blending beans with tahini, olive oil, lemon, and garlic makes a smooth, savory dip.
– Curried Coconut Navy Bean Stew
Beans simmer with aromatic spices and coconut milk for an exotic flavor twist.
With the right techniques and flavors, humble navy beans can be transformed into something truly special. Now go forth and cook up some crazy delicious beans!
How to Prepare Dried Beans
If using dry beans, they must first be soaked and cooked. For this recipe, use about 1. 5 cups of dried beans.
I put beans in a big pot and cover them with a lot of cold water. The next morning, I cook them. They need at least 8 hours to soak up all that water.
If I’m in a hurry, I use the quick soak method. I put the beans in a pot and cover them with water. Then I bring the pot to a boil and let the beans bubble for two to three minutes. After that, I put the lid on the pot and turn off the heat. The beans sit for about an hour.
After soaking, I drain the beans and refill the pot with fresh water. I add salt, bring it to a boil, then let the beans simmer for 1. 5-2 hours until they’re nice and soft.
How you serve the beans depend on your preferred consistency. If you add more water to make them soupier, a side of crusty bread is perfect for dipping.
I often cook ours a little drier. In that case, ladle some beans atop a bed of rice for a hearty meal. You can also try other grains like farro or quinoa, or small pasta shapes like orzo.
If you want a side dish to go with your beans, think a fresh salad or green vegetable.
Easy, tasty, nutritious, and satisfying. That’s my navy bean recipe for you. Make a big batch, and see just how good a simple pot of beans can be.
Easy Navy Beans Recipe
1. Brown ham: First, I cook diced ham in a pan over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, or until it starts to brown and caramelize. Then, I take it out and set it aside on a plate.
2. Next, I add a little more oil to the pan and sauté the onion, carrot, and celery for about 5 minutes, or until they start to get soft. After that, I add the garlic and cook everything together for another minute, until it becomes fragrant.
3. Cracked tomatoes: I put the tomatoes in the pan and cook them, stirring every now and then, for another 5 minutes, until they start to crack.
4. Finish the dish: I add the chicken broth and use a spoon to scrape the pan’s bottom to get rid of any tasty bits that are stuck there. Then, I add in the beans, herbs, and the browned ham that we set aside earlier. Everything gets mixed together well to combine all the flavors.
Once it starts to simmer, I turn down the heat to medium-low and let it cook for about 15 minutes. If I want a soupier consistency, I add in some additional water during cooking. I taste it near the end and add more salt and pepper if needed to make sure the flavors are just right.
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FAQ
How can I make my beans more flavorful?
How to doctor up navy beans?
When to season navy beans?
What does navy beans do to your body?
Do navy beans taste good when cooked?
Navy beans, also known as haricot beans, are small, oval-shaped white beans that are a popular staple in Southern cuisine. They have a mild flavor and creamy texture when cooked, making them perfect for a variety of dishes. How do I prepare navy beans before cooking? Before cooking navy beans, it is important to sort and rinse them.
What is the best way to eat beans?
The best way to eat beans is to first cook them in a large pot of water, about 4 cups of water to every 1 cup of beans. Adding lemon grass or other herbs to the water can improve the flavor. Once beans are cooked the best thing to do is combine them with cooked rice, this is because beans are low in methionine and rice is low in lysine, so combining them makes a more complete protein.
What flavor goes well with navy beans?
Yellow onions have a mild, sweet flavor that complements the beans without overpowering them. They provide a gentle oniony taste that works well in the background of the dish. Garlic is a versatile ingredient that pairs well with various flavors commonly found in navy bean recipes, such as ham or ham bone.
What can I use instead of navy beans?
Here is what you will need: Navy Beans – Navy beans, also known as Boston beans or pea beans, are creamy and have a mild flavor, making them a perfect for the other flavors in the dish. Cannellini or Great Northern beans could be used as substitutes.