Name: Simple Stovetop Great Northern Beans
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Yield: 6 Servings
Cuisine: American

Balancing Bowls Verified

January 26, 2026

Great Northern beans boast a thin skin and tender texture, making them ideal for delicate dishes. They retain their shape and offer a subtle, delicate flavor, perfect for minestrone soup, chicken chili, cassoulets, and lighter baked dishes where their texture and taste can shine without dominating the overall dish.

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Simple Stovetop Great Northern Beans

Balancing Bowls Verified

Ingredients

WarningWheat and 2 other allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

Soak the Beans - Rinse the dry Great Northern beans under cold water. Place them in a Dutch oven, cover with fresh water, and let them soak overnight at room temperature.

Drain and Rinse - The next day, drain and rinse the soaked beans, then return them to the pot.

Prepare the Vegetables - Trim the celery stalks, peel the carrots, and slice the onion in half. Cut the top off the head of garlic to expose the cloves.

Cook the Beans - Add the beans, broth (or water), onion, carrots, celery stalks, bay leaf, and garlic to the pot. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer.

Season and Simmer - Stir in the red pepper flakes and a pinch of salt. Let the beans cook slowly until they become tender and creamy, about 60-70 minutes.

Finish and Serve - Remove and discard the onion, carrots, celery, bay leaf, and garlic before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Enjoy these beans on their own, as a side dish, or as a base for soups and stews!

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Overnight Soak Strategy 💧
Soak Great Northern beans overnight in cold water with a pinch of baking soda to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility by breaking down complex sugars.
Aromatic Flavor Layering 🧅
Sauté your mirepoix (onions, carrots, celery) in olive oil before adding beans to develop a deeper, more complex flavor foundation for your dish.
No-Burst Bean Technique 🫘
Maintain a gentle, consistent simmer instead of a rolling boil to prevent beans from splitting and ensure they maintain their delicate texture.
Liquid Level Precision 💦
Always keep beans covered by at least 2 inches of liquid during cooking, and add hot broth or water as needed to prevent drying out and maintain even cooking.
Seasoning Wave Technique 🌊
Add salt towards the end of cooking to prevent beans from becoming tough, and layer in red pepper flakes and herbs gradually to build a more nuanced flavor profile.

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About the Cook

Balancing Bowls

I'm Nora! Balancing Bowls is the product of a slightly chaotic life, a need to make and grow things, and a love of creative cooking. If you're here because you're trying to feed your family well without losing your mind, you're in the right place.