Today, I’m bringing you another one of our go-to, easy, quick-fix meals straight from my kitchen! These Quick and Easy Great Northern Beans are packed with flavor and come together in no time. They’re my top pick for meatless days, and the best part? It all happens in one pan! Beans and rice don’t have to be boring when you’ve got the right ingredients. Trust me, this simple yet tasty recipe will surprise you and your family. It’s beans done my way, and it’s delicious!
In our kitchen, we’re constantly cooking up a storm, and the variety can be endless! But some days, all we truly want is a simple, nourishing meal that fills us up without feeling overly rich or heavy.
Seriously, the amount of food we cook in our kitchen is quite a lot. Some days all we want is some simple yet wholesome meal and not rich and heavy food. On those days, I find myself looking forward to something classic and comforting, like beans and rice. Jason and I both grew up enjoying this humble yet hearty dish, and it holds a special place in our hearts. We’ve shared several versions here already, including my favorite Cannellini Beans, Navy Beans, and the ever-popular Red Beans and Rice. These recipes are all about simple ingredients that come together beautifully for a satisfying meal!
Today, I’m showing you how I cook Great Northern Beans, just as tasty as my other recipes! I’m using canned beans to keep it quick and easy, that’s the whole idea with this meal. Simple, delicious, and ready in no time!
What are Great Northern Beans?
Great Northern Beans are a type of white bean known for their mild, nutty flavor and smooth, creamy texture. They’re slightly smaller than cannellini beans, but larger than navy beans, making them versatile for many dishes. These beans hold their shape well when cooked, which makes them ideal for soups, stews, and casseroles, as well as for creamy dips and spreads.
Great Northern Beans are also nutrient-rich, providing fiber, protein, and essential minerals like iron and potassium, making them a wholesome addition to any meal.
Ingredients Needed
- Bacon – Everything taste great with good old bacon, right?
- Onion and Bell Peppers – Both form the base for this dish. I like to use multi-colored peppers for color and flavor.
- Mushrooms – I dice them up small here.
- Garlic – You know me, I love garlic.
- Red Chili Flakes – I put in just a little for a gentle heat.
- Great Northern Beans – I go with canned beans here to keep things quick and easy. They’re already soft and creamy, so they’re ready to go.
- Chicken Broth – This pulls everything together, adding extra flavor and keeping the beans from drying out.
- Thyme – I love fresh, but you can also go for dried if fresh is not handy.
How to Make the Best Great Northern Beans
Alright, here’s how I make these Great Northern Beans, step-by-step!
First, I start by cooking up a few slices of bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat. I let them get nice and crispy, which takes a few minutes. Once they’re perfectly crisp, I take them out and set them aside, then crumble them into bits when they’re cool enough to handle. I leave about two tablespoons of the bacon grease in the skillet for extra flavor, and save the rest for another day (bacon grease adds such a nice touch to so many things!).
Next, I toss in a diced onion along with green and red bell peppers and some diced mushrooms. I sauté them all together for about seven to eight minutes, until they’re softened and slightly golden. Once they’re nice and fragrant, I add in a few chopped garlic cloves and give everything a good stir for another minute, just until that garlic is aromatic.
Then I add in my canned Great Northern Beans, a pinch of red chili flakes for a bit of heat, chicken broth, crumbled bacon bits, and a handful of fresh thyme sprigs. I mix everything well, making sure those beans are coated with all the wonderful flavors in the pan.
Now, I let it all simmer on medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This gives the flavors time to come together and the beans to soak up all that goodness. When it’s ready, I sprinkle a little extra fresh thyme on top for a fresh finish.
And that’s it! I serve it up right away and enjoy. These beans are so simple but packed with flavor, and they’re perfect for a cozy meal.
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.
When I soak beans overnight, I put them in a big pot, covering them with plenty of cold water. 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, cover them with water, then bring it to a boil and let them bubble away for 2-3 minutes. After that, I take the pot off the heat, cover it, and let 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.
Serving Suggestions
How you serve the beans depends 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.
Alpana’s Tips
- Adjust the Heat: If you like a bit more kick, feel free to add more red chili flakes, or even toss in a dash of hot sauce toward the end for an extra layer of heat.
- Play with Herbs: Fresh thyme works beautifully here, but you can mix it up with other herbs like rosemary or parsley. They bring different flavors and keep things interesting.
- Make it Creamy: For an even creamier texture, mash a few of the beans with the back of your spoon as they cook. This thickens up the dish naturally and gives it a lovely, comforting consistency.
- Extra Veggies: You can toss in extra veggies like diced carrots or celery along with the onions for a bit more color and texture.
- Creamy Finish with Butter: Stir in a small knob of butter just before serving. This adds a velvety richness that makes the beans taste more delicious.
Leftover and Storing
To store, let the beans cool and keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
For freezing, they’ll last up to 6 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
To reheat, use the microwave or warm them on the stovetop over medium-low heat with a splash of broth or water.
I know life can get busy and a bit hectic, and that’s when beans and rice really come to the rescue. Give them a little extra love, like I did with this recipe, and turn them into a delicious, easy meal your family will enjoy. So whip this up and let yourself relax a bit, it’s comfort food made simple!
More great bean recipes:
Marry Me Chickpeas
Habichuelas Guisada
Black Eyed Peas
Ful Medames
Cuban Black Beans
Tuscan Bean Soup
Peruvian Beans
The BEST Great Northern Beans Recipe
My Great Northern Beans Recipe is the perfect fix for busy nights when you still want to feed your family a hearty and nutritious meal.
Ingredients
- 3 slices bacon
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 1 small red bell pepper, diced
- 6oz mushroom, diced
- 3-4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 2 15oz cans great northern beans, drained
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 10-12 sprigs of fresh thyme (or you can use 1 tsp dried thyme)
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook bacon slices till they are crispy. Plate them out and crumble the bacon into pieces. Set it aside.
- Remove excess bacon grease (save it for future recipes), leaving behind about 2 Tbsp in the skillet. Sauté diced onion, bell peppers and mushrooms for 7-8 minutes. Add in garlic and sauté for a minute.
- Add drained great northern beans along with red chili flakes, chicken broth, crumbled bacon bits, and thyme. Mix well. Simmer the beans for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, over medium-low heat.
- Garnish with some more fresh thyme and serve immediately with rice or crusty bread.
Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 337Total Fat 5gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 10mgSodium 384mgCarbohydrates 55gFiber 17gSugar 4gProtein 23g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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