20+ Delicious Navy Bean Recipes

A very shelf-stable ingredient, navy beans are great for making soups, stews and so much more. These 20+ Navy Bean Recipes are the best!

collage of navy bean recipes


 

I’ll you in on a little secret. Beans are a great, shelf stable ingredient. They will stay good for not months, but years. The provide protein and dietary fiber, help you feel full and keep you regular. An abundance of goodness.

I didn’t experiment with them for the first time until the dreaded pandemic started and dried beans were one of the only things left at the grocery store. I found myself with a bag of dry 15 bean soup, lots of beans in the color of the rainbow, but no clue how to prepare them.

Dry beans can be time consuming- like it can take over 24 hours of cooking time to prepare the suckers. But navy beans, also known as great northern beans, have rich flavors that are great for making so much more than just soup recipes.

Here are a handful of ingredients that might be helpful to have on hand when making navy bean recipes:

  • Bay leaf
  • Chicken broth or chicken stock
  • Leftover ham bone or ham shank
  • Olive oil
  • Garlic powder
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Thick cut bacon
  • Tomato paste
  • Black pepper
  • Fresh parsley
  • Feta cheese

You can store most of these leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. But please refer to each recipe for specifics.

So grab a large pot or dutch oven, your soaked beans and an appetite, because these easy recipes are sure to be a winner.

Navy Bean Recipes

overhead shot of bowl of slow cooker baked beans

Slow Cooker Baked Beans

4.45 from 36 votes
This Slow Cooker Baked Beans recipe is made with 4 types of beans simmered with brown sugar, bacon, and more! Perfect side dish for barbecues!
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overhead of 15 bean soup in a bowl with bread and cheese

Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup

4.63 from 61 votes
This easy 15 Bean Soup Recipe goes from dry beans to deliciously magnificent in just an hour using out two chef-approved secret ingredients.
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Cowboy Homemade Baked Beans in a skillet with a spoon

Cowboy Homemade Baked Beans

4.46 from 51 votes
Cowboy Homemade Baked Beans are smoky, spicy and sweet. The perfect side dish recipe for BBQ, potlucks and parties. An easy baked bean recipe with loads of flavor! 
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close up of white bean and sausage casserole being served

Sausage & White Bean Cassoulet

4.50 from 12 votes
Baked sausages in an herbed navy bean sauce stewed with onion, garlic, tomatoes, thyme and oregano.
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close up of a yellow bell pepper with ground turkey stuffing

Turkey Stuffed Pepper Recipe

5 from 11 votes
Turkey Stuffed Peppers are filled with spinach, onion, garlic, white beans and cheese. An easy and healthy dinner idea.
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close up overhead of mediterranean bean salad

Navy Bean Salad (Piyaz)

4.75 from 12 votes
A bright and vibrant bean salad filled with Mediterranean flavors. Ready in under 20 minutes, this the perfect potluck salad.
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close up overhead of white bean and ham soup with gold spoons

White Bean and Ham Soup

5 from 5 votes
A hearty ham soup recipe seasoned with fresh herbs, vegetables and then a splash of my secret ingredient. The best use for leftover ham!
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pasta e fagioli soup in a bowl with a spoon

Pasta e Fagioli Soup

4.65 from 17 votes
Whether you call it Pasta e Fagioli or Pasta Fagioli, this EASY soup recipe is hearty and delicious. Full of authentic Italian flavors in just 30 minutes!
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easy minestrone soup

Rich Minestrone Soup

4.34 from 9 votes
Thick, rich and delicious Minestrone Soup that uses one secret ingredient that cuts your prep, chop and cook time in HALF! You'll put this on the weekly menu.
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three bean salad in a blue bowl

Three Bean Salad

5 from 6 votes
Classic Three Bean Salad is the perfect BBQ side dish. This easy, make-ahead dish is always a hit and perfect for potlucks too!
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Classic Stuffed Peppers are bell peppers stuffed with ground beef, rice, cheese and spices. A timeless meal ready in 30 minutes and easily made ahead. #stuffedpeppers #stuffedbellpeppers www.savoryexperiments.com

Classic Stuffed Peppers

4.49 from 25 votes
Classic Stuffed Peppers are bell peppers stuffed with ground beef, rice, cheese and spices. A timeless meal ready in 30 minutes and easily made ahead.
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overhead shot of bowl of navy bean soup

Instant Pot Navy Bean Soup

Instant pot navy bean soup is a comforting and delicious meal that is a perfect use for leftover ham. The instant pot cooks dried navy beans in only 45 minutes – no soaking required! 
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skillet of creamed kale gnocchi with beans

Creamed Kale Gnocchi with Beans

You may already love creamed kale as an easy side dish. However, if you add in gnocchi, ham, and beans it becomes the most delicious, comforting baked pasta dinner.
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overhead shot of bowl of pasta with navy beans

Pasta al Limone

Pasta al limone is a quick, tasty, and simple dish. In this vegan version, the pasta is enriched with zucchini (zoodles) and white beans – the healthy version of lemon spaghetti.
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Chicken Sausage Soup

Easy and delicious Chicken Sausage Soup is made in one pot in under 25 minutes. It's made using chicken sausage, diced tomatoes, white or navy beans, and kale, it's a healthy and hearty soup recipe the whole family will enjoy!
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bowl of braised kale with white beans

Braised Kale With White Beans And Tomato

Braised kale and tender white beans make a hearty, healthy side dish. The tomato balances the flavors.
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overhead shot of lemony white bean soup

Lemony Vegan White Bean Soup

Lemony Vegan White Bean Soup makes the best comfort food! It's loaded with healthy and yummy ingredients which make it light and zesty!
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bowl of white chicken chili

White Chicken Chili

This delicious White Chicken Chili is filled with navy beans, chunks of chicken, roasted chiles and tasty corn. Perfect for lunch or dinner.
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overhead shot of skillet of peach bbq baked beans

Peach BBQ Baked Beans

Baked beans are an easy side dish for just about any dinner. Made with navy beans, peach bbq sauce, peppers, onions and crispy bacon. 
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angled shot of quinoa salad on plate

Jennifer Aniston Salad Recipe

5 from 4 votes
Indulge in the delightful Jennifer Aniston salad! A fresh medley of superfoods and flavors that will leave you feeling satisfied and happy.
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Quinoa Mushroom Burger

These healthy mushroom burgers are made with a base of navy beans and quinoa! They're so flavorful and make a delicious vegetarian main dish.
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Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Jessica Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and food lover behind Savory Experiments. She is obsessed with butter, salt and bacon and spends all her time in the kitchen and behind a camera. Jessica is a contributor to PopKitchen by Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal Food + Travel and more!

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Questions and Reviews

  1. Oh all these beans recipes look fantastic! Particularly that green bean salad and this lemony white bean soup. Pinning this post right away.