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A ladle serves tender beans and shredded meat from the black slow cooker on the white marble cooktop into a bowl, accompanied by golden cornbread and a spoon, ready to enjoy.

Slow Cooker Northern White Bean Recipe

This hearty dish combines tender great Northern beans with smoky neck bones for a comforting, flavorful meal. A touch of soul seasoning, vinegar, and hot sauce adds depth and a hint of spice.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Additional Time 8 hours
Total Time 11 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine southern-inspired
Servings 6
Calories 252 kcal

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Large container for soaking beans
  • Plate for shredding meat

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups dried great Northern beans rinsed
  • 2 large smoked neck bones
  • 2 14 ounce cans chicken broth
  • ½ teaspoon soul seasoning
  • ½ onion finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon white vinegar or to taste (Optional)
  • 1 pinch white sugar or to taste (Optional)
  • 1 dash hot sauce or to taste (Optional)

Instructions
 

Prepare the Beans:

  • Place the beans in a large container and cover with several inches of cool water. Soak for 8 hours or overnight.
    A large glass bowl placed on the white marble cooktop is filled with dried Great Northern beans submerged in cool water, covered by several inches of water for an overnight soak.
  • Drain and rinse the beans, then set aside.
    Soaked Great Northern beans are being drained from a glass bowl into a colander on the white marble cooktop, with water streaming from the beans as they are rinsed thoroughly.

Start the Slow Cooker:

  • Add smoked neck bones to the slow cooker. Pour the chicken broth over the bones and sprinkle with soul seasoning.
    A black slow cooker sits on the white marble cooktop, filled with two large smoked neck bones in golden chicken broth, as a sprinkle of soul seasoning is added to the mixture.

Cook the Neck Bones:

  • Set the slow cooker to High and cook for about 1 hour, or until the meat falls off the bones.
    The black slow cooker on the white marble cooktop shows broth gently bubbling around the smoked neck bones, with steam rising to indicate the slow cooking process.

Shred the Meat:

  • Remove the neck bones and meat from the slow cooker. Shred the meat from the bones and discard the bones.
    The black slow cooker on the white marble cooktop is shown with neck bones being transferred onto a wooden cutting board. A fork shreds the tender meat, while the empty slow cooker awaits the next ingredients.

Combine Ingredients:

  • Stir the soaked beans, chopped onion, vinegar (if using), sugar, and hot sauce (if using) into the slow cooker. Spread the shredded meat over the bean mixture.
    The black slow cooker on the white marble cooktop is now filled with a mixture of soaked beans, finely chopped onions, and shredded smoked meat. A hand is seen adding a dash of white vinegar and hot sauce, with a pinch of sugar nearby on the counter.

Cook the Beans:

  • Cover and cook on Low for 4 to 6 hours, or on High for 2 to 4 hours, until the beans are tender and flavors are well combined.
    The black slow cooker on the white marble cooktop has its lid securely in place, with the bean mixture simmering inside, releasing a hearty Southern aroma.

Serve & Enjoy:

  • Serve warm as a hearty main dish or pair with cornbread for a traditional touch.
    A ladle serves tender beans and shredded meat from the black slow cooker on the white marble cooktop into a bowl, accompanied by golden cornbread and a spoon, ready to enjoy.
  • This slow cooker recipe is perfect for cozy days, filling your kitchen with the comforting aroma of Southern flavors while the beans and neck bones cook to perfection!