There’s nothing quite like coming home to the rich, savory aroma of a simmering soup. This Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup is the epitome of comfort food: hearty, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. Using a leftover ham bone and a simple bag of dried beans, your Crock-Pot does all the work, transforming humble ingredients into a truly satisfying meal. It’s the perfect set-it-and-forget-it dinner for a chilly day.
This recipe is designed for busy home cooks who crave a wholesome, delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Just a few minutes of prep in the morning yields a perfectly cooked, tender soup by dinnertime. Let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Ham and Bean Soup
Incredibly Flavorful: A meaty ham bone builds a deep, smoky, and savory broth that you just can’t get from a can. It’s the secret to a truly memorable soup.
Minimal Prep, Maximum Reward: With no need to pre-soak the beans, the prep time is under 15 minutes. The slow cooker tenderizes everything to perfection.
Budget-Friendly Meal: This recipe makes fantastic use of leftover ham and inexpensive dried beans, stretching your ingredients into a hearty meal for the whole family. For another great way to use leftovers, check out this Italian Grinder Sandwich recipe.
Perfect for Meal Prep: This soup tastes even better the next day and freezes beautifully, making it an ideal choice for future lunches or dinners.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This simple ingredient list comes together for a complex, savory flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ready to serve! This soup is packed with flavor and fall-off-the-bone ham.
Dried Beans: Great Northern beans are my top choice for their creamy texture and ability to hold their shape. Navy beans or a 15-bean soup mix also work wonderfully.
Meaty Ham Bone: This is the star of the show! A leftover ham bone from a holiday dinner is perfect. If you don’t have one, a ham shank or ham hock is a great substitute.
Mirepoix: The classic trio of diced yellow onion, carrots, and celery builds the aromatic foundation of the soup.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds a pungent, savory depth.
Chicken Broth: Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness, as the ham will add plenty of its own.
Seasoning: A simple combination of a bay leaf, dried thyme, black pepper, and a touch of salt is all you need to complement the smoky ham.
How to Make Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup Step-by-Step
Making this ham and bean soup in your crock pot is as simple as layering ingredients and pressing a button. Follow these easy steps for a perfect result every time.
Rinse the Beans: First, place the dried beans in a colander and rinse them under cold water. Be sure to sort through them and remove any small stones or debris.
Combine Ingredients: Place the rinsed beans, diced onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic into the bottom of your slow cooker. Nestle the ham bone or shank into the center of the vegetables.
Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour the chicken broth over the ingredients. Add the bay leaf, dried thyme, and black pepper. Stir everything gently to combine.
Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 5-6 hours. The soup is ready when the beans are tender and the ham is falling off the bone.
Shred the Ham: Carefully remove the ham bone from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Once it’s cool enough to handle, shred the meat using two forks, discarding any fatty pieces and the bone.
Finish and Serve: Return the shredded ham to the slow cooker and stir it into the soup. Remove the bay leaf. Taste the soup and add salt if needed—the ham is already salty, so it’s important to taste first. Serve hot and enjoy!
Simple, wholesome ingredients are the key to this flavorful soup.
Tips for the Best Ham and Bean Soup
Don’t Soak the Beans: Modern slow cookers cook low and slow enough to tenderize dried beans perfectly without the need for an overnight soak. It saves time and the soup absorbs more flavor.
Use a Ham Bone: For the richest, most authentic flavor, use a leftover meaty ham bone. The collagen and marrow in the bone create a silky, full-bodied broth.
Wait to Salt: Ham is naturally salty, so always wait until the end of the cooking process to taste the soup and adjust the seasoning.
Add a Little Acidity: A small splash of apple cider vinegar or a dollop of Dijon mustard stirred in at the end can brighten up the flavors beautifully without being overpowering.
Recipe Variations
This classic recipe is delicious as is, but it’s also easy to customize!
Add Some Greens: Stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach or kale during the last 30 minutes of cooking for an extra boost of nutrients.
Make it Spicy: For a little kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce. A smoky Cajun spice blend can also add a delicious new dimension.
Smoky Flavor Boost: If you’re not using a smoked ham hock, a half teaspoon of smoked paprika can add a wonderful smoky depth to the soup.
What to Serve with Ham and Bean Soup
This hearty soup is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a side of crusty bread for dipping, classic cornbread, or a simple green salad. For a truly comforting combination, try it with fluffy homemade biscuits or crackers.
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating
Storing: Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: This soup freezes exceptionally well. Let it cool, then portion it into freezer-safe bags or containers. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. The soup may thicken, so you can add a splash of broth to reach your desired consistency.
No, you do not need to soak the beans for this recipe. The long, moist cooking environment of the slow cooker will tenderize the dried beans perfectly without any pre-soaking.
You can, but the texture and flavor will be different. If using canned beans, reduce the cooking time to 3-4 hours on LOW, as you are just heating them through and melding flavors. Also, be sure to rinse them well and reduce the added salt.
A leftover meaty ham bone is best, as it adds incredible depth and flavor to the broth. If you don’t have one, a smoked ham shank or ham hock from the butcher is an excellent substitute.
The soup is ready when the beans are soft and creamy and the ham is tender enough to easily fall off the bone. This typically takes 8-10 hours on LOW or 5-6 hours on HIGH.
The soup will naturally thicken as it cools. For a thicker soup, you can remove 1 cup of the beans, mash them with a fork, and stir the paste back into the soup. Let it simmer for another 20-30 minutes.
This Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup is more than just a recipe; it’s a warm, comforting hug in a bowl. It’s the perfect way to turn simple ingredients into a memorable meal that will have everyone asking for seconds. Give it a try, and don’t forget to share your delicious results on Pinterest!
The ultimate comfort food: our set-and-forget Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup!
Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup Recipe
FL Recipes
Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup (The Easiest, Most Flavorful Recipe)
This Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup is a hearty, flavorful, and easy set-it-and-forget-it meal. Using a leftover ham bone and dried beans, this Crock-Pot recipe delivers a comforting and budget-friendly dinner with minimal prep.
Place the rinsed and sorted beans, diced onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic into a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Nestle the ham bone into the center.
Pour in the chicken broth and add the dried thyme, bay leaf, and black pepper. Stir briefly to combine.
Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 5-6 hours, until the beans are tender and the ham is falling off the bone.
Carefully remove the ham bone and the bay leaf. Once the bone is cool enough to handle, shred the meat from the bone, discarding fat and the bone itself.
Return the shredded ham to the slow cooker. Stir, taste, and adjust seasoning with salt if necessary. Serve hot.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
