There are some meals that just feel like home, and Navy Beans and Cornbread is one of them. It is a simple, filling comfort food. When it is prepared with carefully chosen ingredients, it can be a wonderfully affordable Alpha-gal friendly meal.
A Simple Pot of Navy Beans
This recipe starts with just a handful of affordable ingredients. At the time of this posting, this is what I paid for these items at my local Walmart:
- Navy beans, 1 lb – $1.38
- Smoked turkey leg – $9.04
- Onion – 55¢
- Organic vegetable broth – $1.98
- Seasonings of your choice – On hand
That’s a total of $12.95 (plus tax) for 8 – 10 servings. Beans are one of my favorite ways to stretch a grocery budget. An inexpensive bag of dried beans and a turkey leg (that would otherwise be about 4 servings) can provide several meals, making this a great option when you’re trying to keep food costs down.
For my Alpha-gal friendly version, the smoked turkey leg is especially important. Not all turkey products are necessarily suitable for everyone with Alpha-gal Syndrome, so I use a turkey product that I have personally verified as safe for me.
I also carefully check the vegetable broth and seasonings every time I buy them. Ingredients and manufacturing practices can vary from one brand to another, and formulas can change without any notice. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer.
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How I Make My Navy Beans
Start by soaking the navy beans overnight. In the morning, add them to the slow cooker with the smoked turkey leg, chopped onion, organic vegetable broth, water, and your seasonings.
Cook on high for 4 hours and on low for 4 hours, or until the beans are tender. Take the meat off the bone and return it to the crockpot, and you have a hearty pot of beans with plenty of smoky, savory flavor.
Don’t Forget the Cornbread!
Navy beans and cornbread just belong together.
For the cornbread, I used Nora Cooks’ “The Best Vegan Cornbread.” I used organic flour, Bob’s Red Mill cornmeal, organic sugar, Himalayan salt, baking powder, Califia Organic Unsweetened almond milk, and organic olive oil. (Nora Cooks)
Nora Cooks – The Best Vegan Cornbread
I really enjoyed this cornbread. It is moist, tender, and delicious. However, I will admit that following the original recipe makes it a little too sweet for me to pair with the savory beans.
In fact, I ended up eating the cornbread for dessert!
Nora does have a note that the sugar can be reduced. Her current recipe specifically suggests cutting the sugar in half or using just a few tablespoons for a barely sweet cornbread. (Nora Cooks) I didn’t notice that until after I made the sweet version!
Why I Love This Meal
- Affordable
- The beans cook all day in the crockpot
- Freezes well
- Great to take to pot luck dinners
Important Alpha-Gal Reminder
This recipe reflects the ingredients and products I personally use and what works for me. Alpha-gal reactions can vary significantly from person to person. Always read labels, verify ingredients and manufacturing information, and consider cross-contact when selecting products. A product that is safe for one person with Alpha-gal Syndrome may not be safe for another.
This post is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.
Ingredients
Method
- Soak the navy beans overnight.
- Grease the crock pot with olive oil.
- Place the turkey leg in the crock pot, followed by the onion, the navy beans, the liquids and the seasonings.
- Cook on high for 4 hours and then on low for 4 hours, or until beans are tender.
- Remove the turkey leg and take the meat off of the bone. Return the meat to the crock pot.
- Serve.