Over the years these have become a Christmas Eve tradition at our house but because we were leaving the day after Christmas, I didn’t make them on Christmas Eve so I decided to make them today. Christmas Eve is really about the only time we have them. This recipe came with a crock pot I bought once a long time ago. So good!
1 1/2 pounds (3 cups) dry navy beans
1 pound ham, cubed
1 medium onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups ketchup
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon dry mustard powder
1/4 cup molasses
1/2 teaspoon salt
Cover beans with 3 times their volume of salted water in a large stockpot and bring to a boil. Boil for 10 minutes. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 1/2 hours or until beans are tender. Drain beans and put in crock pot. Add ham and onion. (I was using already cooked ham so I didn’t add it until the last 30 – 60 minutes of cooking time.) Combine remaining ingredients in a separate bowl then add to crock pot and mix well. Cook on low 10 – 12 hours or on high – 6 hours, stirring occasionally.