I am excited to share with you this recipe for the best Great Northern Beans Recipe. Not only will you get a meaty version, but I have options for vegetarian and vegan variations of these delicious and creamy white beans.
For those of you who wonder how to season your Great Northern Beans without meat, we’ll take a look at many ways to add some zip to your bean dishes. I’ll also give you instructions for cooking your beans in the Instant Pot, in a Dutch oven on the stovetop, and in a slow cooker.
You may also want to check out my cowboy pinto beans recipe. Really good, and made in the Instant Pot.
And for ease of browsing, you can find all my side dish recipes in one place. Thanks so much for visiting!
See my best Great Northern Beans recipe web story here.
We’ve tried the Cajun and Italian versions, and they’re both delicious!
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This recipe is easy to make and has huge flavor. And it’s just a bit of a twist on “standard” red beans and rice.
The beans cook up super creamy, and served with rice it makes a filling meal, whether you make them vegan, vegetarian, or meaty.
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I’ll also show you three different ways to make them, so depending on the time you have, you can cook them in as little as about an hour (including natural pressure release) in an Instant Pot.
If you have a lot of time, you can also let them simmer away on the stovetop.
If you love Cajun flavors, you’ll really enjoy this recipe.
Plus, it calls for all easy-to-find ingredients that you’ll be able to get at your local grocery if you don’t already have them on hand.
How to Make the Best Great Northern Beans
This is a very straightforward recipe. In short, you’ll
- cook aromatics
- add herbs and spices
- add beans and cook until soft
So you know what to expect, I’ll
- go over the ingredient list along with any substitutions I recommend
- give you a breakdown of how to make it on the stovetop (you’ll find Instant Pot and slow cooker variations in the recipe card Notes section)
- talk about whether or not to soak your beans (and if it matters)
- provide some more helpful tips and tricks
- offer up some serving suggestions
If you don’t need all the instructions, you can jump straight to the recipe.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here’s what you need to make what I think is the best Great Northern Bean recipe around:
- bacon (not pictured): If making vegan or vegetarian beans, leave out and use 2 Tablespoons oil to cook the vegetables. You can use liquid smoke to give a smoky flavor to your beans without using bacon
- onions: I use sweet onions, but yellow or white will work as well
- celery: Along with onions and bell pepper, celery is part of the trinity of Cajun cuisine, so don’t leave it out
- bell pepper: I used red bell pepper for this recipe because I wanted the little bits of color and a sweeter flavor. You can also use green bell peppers
- garlic: minced fresh or freeze-dried. I tend to keep the freeze-dried on hand since its shelf life is so much longer
- salt and pepper: to taste. And if your Cajun seasoning has salt in it, you may not need extra. I used Tony Chachere’s, and salt is the first ingredient.
- thyme: Thyme and oregano are both prevalent in Cajun cooking, so they enhance that flavor profile. Dried here is just fine
- oregano:
- Cajun seasoning: Use your favorite, with or without salt. Adjust the other salt in the recipe accordingly
- bay leaves: 2 dried Turkish bay leaves, which is what you can get at the regular grocery store. I use McCormick’s brand
- cayenne pepper: optional, if you want a little more kick. You can also substitute smoked paprika, either sweet or hot
- vegetable bouillon: I use Better Than Bouillon. You can also use vegetable broth or chicken broth if it’s you’re not making a vegetarian version
- water: for diluting the bouillon. You won’t need it if you’re using stock or broth
- Great Northern beans: Picked over and rinsed. I did not presoak my beans. If you do, you will need less liquid than called for in the recipe. I’ve made notes about how much you may need in the recipe card itself. If you don’t have Great Northern Beans, you can substitute pretty much any white bean or even kidney beans. Here are some options:
- cannellini beans
- Navy beans
- pinto beans
- black-eyed peas
For my money, you can't beat Tony Chachere's seasoning blends for Cajun-inspired goodness. The variety pack will let you try out all the offerings. I use the original or salt-free, but if you like bolder flavor or more spice, Tony has you covered. As an aside, it's pronounced "Sa-sher-ee's."
Procedure
Whether making these beans in the Instant Pot, in a Dutch oven or in a slow cooker, the steps are all basically the same:
- Cook the bacon and set aside (or just heat oil in a pan if not using bacon)
- Cook the vegetables in some of the bacon fat (or oil) until soft
- Add the spices and herbs and cook another minute or two
- Add the rinsed and drained beans and the bouillon/water or stock/broth
- Cook at a simmer (or at high pressure in your Instant Pot) until the beans are cooked through and are creamy
- Stir in reserved bacon, and taste and adjust the seasonings as necessary
- Serve and enjoy
Equipment Recommendations
I guess I’m sort of old-school, but I really love making this dish in a Dutch oven.
Of course, it really depends on how much time you have.
Of the three cooking options, cooking beans in a slow cooker takes 7-8 hours, a Dutch oven can take anywhere from 1 1/2-3 or more hours depending on
- if you’ve soaked your beans or not and
- how old your beans are (how dried out)
The Instant Pot is your fastest option at about 30 minutes or so for dry beans and 8 or so for soaked beans.
The downside of the Instant Pot is that you won’t get any evaporation during cooking, so you may need to reduce your sauce once the pressure has released.
Soaking Beans versus Not Soaking Beans
One thing you should know is that beans will cook when you simmer them (or pressure cook them) in hot liquid.
The only issue is time.
Soaking your beans to rehydrate them before cooking will do a couple of things:
- It will drastically reduce the cooking time, possibly by as much as 75%
- Since the beans are rehydrated in water before cooking, you can use less liquid in your recipe.
For instance, I didn’t soak my beans, so I needed 7 cups of liquid altogether. If you do soak your beans, you may only need 3 1/2-4 cups of liquid.
It really is up to you. If you have time to soak the beans overnight, do that.
But if not, and you don’t mind a long cooking process in a Dutch oven on a lazy Saturday, then don’t bother.
Caveat: if you plan on cooking your beans in a slow cooker, always soak them first.
If you decide you do not want to soak your beans before cooking, choose the Dutch oven or Instant Pot method.
For soaked beans, you can use any of the methods outlined in the recipe.
Tips for Success
For the fastest cooking time, you can use 2 rinsed and drained cans of white beans in place of the dried beans.
An easy way to thicken your broth if it needs it is to mash some of your beans against the sides of your pan and then stir them into the broth. The starches in the beans will thicken it up nicely.
There is no rule that says you have to use all of one kind of bean. Play with this recipe and use a mixture of dried beans. There are many kinds of bean mixes at the grocery store.
How to Season Great Northern Beans without Meat
Beans are creamy and dense and so very tasty.
They also soak up flavors like little sponges, so they’re a great vegetarian protein to play with by flavoring them in all sorts of ways.
Here are some ideas for you:
Mexican-Inspired
Saute onion and garlic with some minced chipotle in adobo. Add cumin, Mexican oregano, your favorite chili powder, and a touch of cinnamon. Add beans and broth or water, salt, and finish them with some chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.
Italian-Inspired
Saute onion, carrot, and celery in olive oil with some rosemary. Add a can of tomatoes and some basil along with your dried beans, broth, water, and salt. If you have a rind of Parmesan or Romano cheese, add that as well. Finish them with chiffonade basil and some microplaned Parmesan.
French-Inspired
Saute onions, celery, and carrot in oil. Add some minced shallot and dried Herbes de Provence, bay leaf and some peppercorns (you can tie these up in cheesecloth if you want). Deglaze the pan with some wine and cook until almost dry. Add the beans and broth/water and salt, and finish the dish with some chopped tarragon.
Greek-Inspired
Cook onions and garlic in olive oil. Add oregano, bay leaf, and canned diced tomatoes. Add the beans and broth/water and salt. Finish the dish with olive oil, lemon zest, a squeeze of lemon juice, and some chopped fresh oregano. For more brininess, add some crumbled feta.
I hope these ideas inspire you to look beyond bacon for seasoning ideas for Great Northern beans, and really for any kind of bean.
Great Northern Beans Q & A
Yes, all beans are gluten-free. There may be some issue with cross-contamination in some packaging plants, so always check your labels carefully and/or check the manufacturer’s website. As written, this recipe is gluten-free, so you should be good to go!
While they are both varieties of white beans, Great Northern beans are a bit larger than Navy beans, and they hold their shape better when cooked. If you don’t have Great Northern beans, Navy beans are a good substitute.
Keep your cooked beans in the fridge, well-covered, for up to 7 days. For food safety, reheat them to at least 165F for at least 15 seconds.
Yes. Beans freeze very well. Freeze them in portions in freezer containers or freezer bags. Be sure to press out as much of the air as you can before sealing. Keep them frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and then heat to a safe temperature of at least 165F for at least 15 seconds.
Make White Beans and Rice with Camellia Brand Beans
I mean, if you’re going to make some Cajun food, go with a Louisiana company for your beans as well as your seasonings.
Tony Chachere’s has you for seasonings, and Camellia is the name you want for your beans, period.
Camellia holds their suppliers to a higher standard than required by the USDA, so their quality really is second to none. Recommended by me and also by my Louisiana friends who really know what they're talking about. This link is for 2 1-pound bags of Great Northern Beans.
Serving Suggestions
Since these beans are inspired by the flavors in Louisiana cooking, you’ll definitely want to serve your beans with rice.
I made brown rice, but white rice is probably more traditional.
If you’re vegetarian, consider topping them with sour cream and some grated jack cheese.
If you’re vegan, serve them with hot sauce and maybe some shredded vegan cheese.
The sauce that the broth and seasonings make is thick and flavorful, and you won’t want to miss a bite. So consider making some soft potato bread or dinner rolls to sop up all the goodness.
And if you make these Northern Beans as part of your Mardi Gras celebration, consider ending your meal with a slice of King Cake Cheesecake!
Questions
A Note About Measurements
Don't let its small price and small size fool you. The Escali Primo is an accurate and easy-to-use food scale that I have used for years. It's easy to store, easy to use, has a tare function, and easily switches between grams and ounces/pounds for accurate measurements.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
I adapted this recipe from my friend Kathy Hester’s wonderful cookbook, The Great Vegan Bean Book. All the recipes are excellent, and she won’t be sad if you decide to make any of them and put meat in them.
You can also find tons of great vegan recipes on her blogs, Healthy Slow Cooking, and Plant-Based Instant Pot.
It will help me and other readers so much if you take a moment to rate and leave a review for this recipe.
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The Best Great Northern Beans Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 oz bacon chopped and cooked
- 2 Tablespoons bacon fat
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2-3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning I used Tony Chachere’s
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons (12g) veggie bouillon (I used Better than Bouillon)
- 1 pound dried white beans
- 7 cups water if you don’t presoak your beans. Use 4 cups for pre-soaked beans
- salt and pepper to taste
- Cooked rice for serving
Instructions
Stove-Top Dutch Oven Directions
- Cook the bacon, drain, and reserve.
- Pour off all but 2 Tablespoons of bacon fat and cook the onions, celery, and red bell peppers over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook a couple of minutes more.
- Stir in the spices and herbs and cook another 2 minutes.
- Rinse and drain the beans and add them to the pot along with the bouillon and water.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to keep it at a simmer until the beans are cooked through and creamy, about 3 hours. (See Notes)
- Stir in the bacon and heat through.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings as necessary, adding salt, pepper and/or more of the other spices if you think it needs it.
- Serve over rice.
SERVING SUGGESTION- Add your favorite hot sauce and some grated pepper jack cheese. Serve with crusty bread.
Did You Make Any Changes?
Notes
Slow Cooker Directions
- Pre-soak your beans in cold water for 8 hours. Drain.
- Cook the bacon in a soup pot. Use oil to keep this recipe vegan.
- Drain the bacon and pour off all but 2 Tablespoons of bacon fat.
- Add the vegetables and saute for 5 minutes.
- Add garlic, and saute for 2 minutes more.
- Transfer to the slow cooker and add the rest of the ingredients except the salt and pepper, but use only 3 cups (700ml) water. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.
- Remove the bay leaves.
- Stir in the reserved bacon, if using.
- Taste and add salt and pepper to your liking. Serve over rice.
Instant Pot Directions
- Soak the beans in cold water for 8 hours. Drain.
- Set your Instant Pot to saute.
- Cook the bacon until crisp. Set aside and pour off all but 2 Tablespoons bacon fat. (Skip this step to keep it vegetarian and use 2 Tablespoons of your favorite cooking oil.)
- Cook the trinity on saute for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Add all the spices, the drained beans, and 4 cups of water.
- Clamp the lid onto your Instant Pot, making sure it is set to "Sealing."
- Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
- Allow for natural pressure release, then remove the lid.
- Check to make sure beans are soft and creamy. If not, clamp the lid back on and cook on high for an additional 2-3 minutes, also with natural pressure release.
- Once the beans are tender, taste and adjust seasonings.
- If the bean liquid is runnier than you'd like, mash some of the beans against the side of the pot and turn the Instant Pot to saute to reduce the liquid until it's a bit thicker.
- Stir in the bacon, if using, and serve over rice.
Nutrition Information for Vegetarian Great Northern Beans (No bacon and using vegetable oil)
Calories: 322 Total Fat: 5.6g Cholesterol: 0gTo Store
Leftovers will be good in the fridge for up to 7 days. Reheat thoroughly either on the stovetop or in the microwave. For food safety, reheat to at least 165F for at least 15 seconds.To Freeze
Beans and rice freeze really well. Put leftover rice and the beans in separate zip-top freezer bags, being sure to press out as much air as you can before sealing. Store in the freezer for up to two months.Nutrition
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Thank you all for spending some time with me today. I hope you enjoy what I think is the best Great Northern Beans recipe around!
Take care, and have a lovely day.
Watch my white beans and rice web story here.
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I made these today and they were a hit! Only thing I didn’t have was thyme so I added a bit of Italian seasoning. So hearty and delicious! I also used smoked beef sausages, follow the stovetop recipe and added the sausages at the end. Served with white rice.
I’m so glad you guys enjoyed the beans, Carol! I bet they were amazing with the smoked sausage!
We’ve tried the Cajun and Italian versions, and they’re both delicious!
Sounds delicious! I am using some pre cooked beans, I am trying just 2 cups broth/liquid. Wish me luck! If yoy have some insight, please post!
Hey, David! I’m so glad you’re trying this recipe. I think you’ll be fine with using 2 cups canned beans. You could probably get away with even more than that. Reduce the liquid by maybe half since cooked beans don’t soak up nearly as much liquid as dried. I really hope you enjoy them!
This isn’t the type of meal we typically eat and it was pretty good. Served with rolls, buttered rice, cheese and sour cream (as suggested). I’ll use less cayenne and Cajun next time. Good flavor! Served as main dish and had enough to save for another meal for 2. Used canned beans so only cooked about 1&1/2hrs.
Thanks so much for this terrific post Beloved and tutor Jenni! Job well done! This recipe is perfect especially for those attempting a more healthful New Year!! Will certainly give it a try!
I agree! Going meatless one or two (or even more) times a week is a great way to be healthier and to help conserve our natural resources. And when the meatless meal is as tasty as this one is, it makes it easy, Terry!
I could “hear” him in this post! It was awesome & your interjections made me laugh! 🙂
We make a great team! =) But let me tell you, Sissy. When I read that whole “I decided to make rice”…make believe…I called him right out on it. Are you *kidding* me with that, Beloved?! ROFL!!
You two are too much fun! Nice work, good man. I particularly appreciate Ms. Hester’s options for dried or canned beans with appropriate directives for each. I’m thinking this should become a regular series on JF’sPCO.
Yeah, Kathy is really good like that, Brooks! She provides options for folks on no- or really low-fat diets as well. I will tell The Beloved that he’s going to have to do a post once a month. We’ll see what he says! lol
I cannot tell you how excited I am that you guys made one of my recipes. Big hugs to both of you!
We loved it, Kathy!! Delicious. =) Plus, we need to get together soon!
Love it when our men cook and write too! Well done Jenni’s Beloved (feel really silly addressing you just Beloved, I would not presume!) These beans are just the right combo for flavor and texture. Good choice and will wait patiently until you prepare the others mentioned.
All the best.
It’s all part of his Mystique, Robin! 😉 It was a great first choice from Kathy’s book, and as he said, we’ll be making more deliciousness!
After this spectacular premiere post, I am expecting, nay, anticipating future recipes from The Beloved. We are huge bean fans in our family, both from my heritage in Louisiana where once a week on laundry day red beans and rice are served, to our time in other countries like Brazil where beans are every day staples. Can’t wait to give this one a try, perhaps with the addition of some smoked sausage.
Huzzah for the smoked sausage! We’ll be adding smoked or Andouille next time we whip up a batch. I will let The Beloved know that he will be pressed into service again on occasion! lol
YAY!!! Thanks beloved – and Jenni – for the hungry-for-beans inducing article! It is such a gloomy day, I just finished putting the chili up in freezer containers and started wondering what the next meal is going to be.. . .
Since chili was for dinner last night, probably won’t try them today, but I have already made my grocery list to make sure I have everything by tomorrow!
Write on – and thanks again for the article (and the comic relief, as only Jenni can provide!)
They were delicious, and you will love them, Ruth Ann. It’s gloomy here today, too, and we may just have to whip up another batch of beany goodness. =)
Okay, this is such a dish for me that I would love! But I love the post! You guys are like Burns and Allen or Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor on Green Acres… well The Beloved is a wonderful writer, really wonderful and Jenni is comic relief. You guys are so perfect together! Now I want to make this dish.
Happy Happy Joyous, Frivolous, Prosperous and Healthy 2014! xoxo
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post–I love how The Beloved wrote it. I didn’t give him any Rules to follow; he just wrote it up however he wanted. I think it turned out great, but he does tend to take liberties. Like he *really* made that rice. Ha! 😉 Mwah to you, Jamie!
These look great! Would go great with some fried chicken 😉
It would make a great side dish for fried chicken, or just braise chicken right along with the beans. If you’re not vegan or vegetarian, pretty much anything goes!