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Cozy Ham Hock Bean Stew

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A hearty and smoky winter stew featuring tender ham hock and creamy beans, perfect for cold nights and simple, comforting meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large smoked ham hock (about 1 to 1.5 pounds / 450-680g)
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) dried navy beans or great northern beans, rinsed and soaked overnight
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large bay leaf
  • 3–4 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 6 cups (1.5 liters) chicken or vegetable broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Optional: pinch of smoked paprika or dash of hot sauce

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 ½ cups dried navy or great northern beans under cold water, then soak overnight in about 6 cups water to soften.
  2. Dice 1 medium yellow onion, chop 2 carrots, and 2 celery stalks. Mince 3 garlic cloves.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and slightly golden. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute more until fragrant.
  4. Nestle the ham hock into the pot with the vegetables. Pour in 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth to cover.
  5. Add 1 bay leaf and 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme). Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  6. Bring stew to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, until beans are tender and ham hock meat falls off the bone. Stir occasionally and add water if too thick.
  7. Remove ham hock with tongs, let cool slightly, shred meat discarding bones and skin. Return shredded meat to pot and stir.
  8. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and optional smoked paprika or hot sauce. Remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs before serving.

Notes

Soak beans overnight for best texture. Keep salt light initially due to salty ham hock. Optional quick-sear ham hock before simmering for extra flavor. Can use canned beans added in last 30 minutes to speed cooking. Slow cooker adaptation possible. Leftovers keep 4 days refrigerated or freeze up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: ham hock stew, bean stew, winter dinner, hearty stew, smoky stew, easy stew recipe, comfort food

Find it online: https://bouncybowl.com/cozy-ham-hock-bean-stew-recipe-easy-hearty-winter-dinner-idea/