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America's Melting Pot
Crockpot Ham and Beans hero image coming soon
1970-1989 - Southern and Midwestern American home cooks integrating crockpot slow cooking.
Crockpot Ham and Beans is a classic American side or main dish featuring dried beans slow-cooked with ham or ham hock to develop rich, smoky, and hearty flavors. This adaptation incorporates crockpot ease into a traditional old-fashioned recipe popular in Southern and Midwestern cooking.
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Difficulty
Medium
Prep time
20 minutes plus soaking
Cook time
8 hours
Total time
8 hours 20 minutes
Servings
8 servings
Region
Midwest
Era introduced
1970-1989
Introduced by
Southern and Midwestern American home cooks integrating crockpot slow cooking.
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Ham and beans have long been a staple in rural American diets, especially in the South and Midwest, valued for economy and sustenance. Slow cooking dried beans with ham hocks or leftover ham imparts smoky depth and tender texture. The crockpot adaptation was embraced in the 1970s and '80s for convenience, letting cooks prepare this traditional, hearty dish with minimal supervision while preserving its rich, comforting character.
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