Navy Bean Recipes

This navy beans recipe of my mom’s makes a simple comfort food classic. Tender, seasoned white beans and veggies in a flavorful broth. Be sure to watch the how-to video located in the recipe card.

My mom taught me many things, but cooking and sharing our love for good food was something we both loved to do together. When she passed away, my Dad asked if I wanted anything of hers. My request was to go through her cookbooks and personal recipes. I love that I’m able to pass on my favorites and keep my memories of her alive.

Here is her simple, yet satisfying white beans recipe, which I’ve always loved. It’s a flavorful white bean soup. You can add sliced franks or shredded meat to stretch the meal, and it’s a perfect way to use fresh vegetables and pantry staples you already have on hand!

Navy beans, also known as pea beans (named for their tiny round size), are one of a few different varieties of white beans. Other common white beans are Great Northern, cannellini, fagioli, and lima. Although they grow differently, and vary in size and shape, all white beans are interchangeable in most recipes. They all have a white casing and starchy, creamy center.

This is a navy beans recipe, but you’re welcome to use any type of white bean that you like or already have on hand.

Nothing complicated about the ingredients in this white beans recipe. It calls for staple soup ingredients; onion, carrots and celery. To help flavor the broth, there’s a bit of crushed garlic and thyme.

For a heartier meal, you can add any type of cooked protein. Oftentimes, I like to add shredded chicken, leftover holiday ham or boneless turkey breast. If you use fagioli beans and add cooked pasta and Italian sausage, it could a homemade version of Olive Garden’s pasta fagioli!

Mom’s Navy Beans Recipe + Video

My mom’s navy beans recipe makes a simple comfort food classic. Tender, seasoned white beans and veggies in a flavorful broth; a must-make!

Prep: 15min

Total: 255min

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 160 kcal, Carbohydrate 26 g, Protein 9 g, Fat 3 g, Saturated Fat 0.4 g, Sodium 210 mg, Fiber 10 g, Sugar 3 g, unSaturated Fat 3 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 16 oz dried navy beans (or other white beans)
• 1 large yellow onion (chopped into bite size pieces)
• 2 large carrots (chopped into bite size pieces)
• 2 stalks celery (chopped into bite size pieces)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic ( crushed)
• 4 sprigs thyme (tied, or 1/2 tsp dried thyme)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instruction:

1. Add dried white beans to large pot, then enough water to cover beans by 1 inch. Allow beans to soak for 8 hours. To save time, feel free to quick soak beans.
2. Heat olive oil in large soup or stock pot over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Use a colander to drain and rinse soaked beans. Add beans to the stock pot of sautéed vegetables and stir to incorporate. Add bundle of thyme sprigs (or dried thyme), garlic and fresh water to cover beans by 1 inch. Bring to a boil, cover pot and lower heat to simmer; Cook for 4 hours or until beans are soft, but not mushy (See Note 1). To make this navy beans recipe in a slow cooker or Instant Pot, see Note 2.
4. Season to taste and serve with crusty bread.

Navy Bean Recipes

These tasty navy bean recipes will give you wonderful ways to use navy beans including this simple way to cook canned navy beans.

Prep: 10min

Total: 30min

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 209 kcal, Carbohydrate 6 g, Protein 6 g, Fat 18 g, Saturated Fat 6 g, Trans Fat 0.1 g, Cholesterol 29 mg, Sodium 1467 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 2 g, unSaturated Fat 11 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 2 slices bacon (chopped)
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• 1 14.5 ounces canned navy beans (drained)
• 1/2 cup water (or chicken/vegetable broth)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar

Instruction:

1. Cook chopped bacon in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until bacon starts to crisp.
2. Add in diced onion, beans, water, garlic powder, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook until mixture starts to lightly bubble, 3-5 minutes.
3. Serve warm.

Classic Navy Bean Soup

Add this old-time classic to your go-to autumn soups.

Prep: 600sec

Total: 7200sec

Serving Size: Serves 8

Nutrition Facts: Saturated Fat 5.4 g, unSaturated Fat 0.0 g, Carbohydrate 41.0 g, Sugar 3.6 g, servingSize Serves 8, Protein 33.6 g, Fat 16.3 g, calories 435 cal, Sodium 1094.4 mg, Fiber 9.9 g, Cholesterol 0 mg

Ingredients:

• 1 pound dried navy beans
• 4 cups hot water
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 1 large carrot
• 1 stalk celery
• 2 cloves garlic
• 8 ounces thick-cut cooked ham
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 smoked ham hock (optional)
• 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instruction:

1. Rinse 1 pound dried navy beans and remove and discard split, broken, or discolored beans. Place the beans and 4 cups hot water in a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 2 minutes, then remove the pot from heat. Cover and let soak for 1 hour.
2. Meanwhile, finely chop 1 medium yellow onion (1 1/2 to 2 cups), 1 large carrot (1/2 cup), and 1 medium celery stalk (1/2 cup). Finely chop 2 garlic cloves. Dice 8 ounces thick-cut cooked ham (1 cup).
3. When the beans are done soaking, pour through a colander to drain. Wipe the pot clean.
4. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in the same pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion, carrot, and celery, and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the ham, garlic, 2 bay leaves, 2 teaspoons black pepper, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, and 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
5. Add the beans and stir to combine. If desired, nestle 1 smoked ham hock into the bean mixture. Add 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender, 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes.
6. Remove the ham hock. Add 2 tablespoons unsalted butter and stir until melted. Taste and season with more kosher salt as needed.

13 Simple Ways to Use Navy Beans

The simple navy bean recipes hit the spot! From soup to chili to pasta, the humble navy bean lends itself to so many comforting dishes.

Ingredients:

• Navy Bean Ham Bone Soup
• Hearty White Bean Chili
• Southwestern Navy Bean Soup
• White Bean Burgers With Tomato Olive Relish
• Vegan White Bean Tacos With Jalapeno Cilantro Sauce
• Vegan Lemon and White Bean Pasta
• Tuscan White Bean Pasta
• Chicken and White Bean Enchiladas With Creamy Salsa Verde
• Kale and White Bean Pizza
• Easy White Bean Salad
• White Bean Chili
• Easy White Bean Skillet
• Pasta Salad With White Beans and Corn

Instruction:

1. Select your favorite recipe.
2. Organize all the required ingredients.
3. Prep a navy bean recipe in 30 minutes or less!

Navy Bean Soup Recipe | Ham and Bean Soup

FAQ

What are navy beans good in?

What do you eat navy beans with?

• Sauteed Korean Cucumber Salad.
• Caramelized Potatoes.
• Pan Fried Sweet Potatoes.
• Crunchy Asparagus Salad.
• Mushroom Barley.
• Garlicky Broccoli.
• Orzo Pasta with Parmesan.

Do navy beans need to be soaked before cooking?

How to cook great navy beans?