Ham and Bean Soup

Ham and Bean soup is wonderfully wholesome comfort food with a creamy texture and smokey flavor. It’s hearty chunks of veggies, ham, and beans are enveloped in a savory saucy broth. Serve with jalapeno sour cream cornbread for dinner, a nourishing lunch, or even as a side dish.

Looking for a stick-to-your-ribs dish that’s not only filling but also a wholesome meal? This Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup are sure to fit the bill.

Josh and I were craving ham and bean soup and cornbread for a few days and didn’t hesitate when we got to the grocery store to scoop up the ingredients. For the ham we found a packaged of smoked spiral ham chunks which added a lovely flavor to this soup.

What goes in ham and bean soup?

You won’t have to look far for the ingredients used in this easy ham and bean soup recipe. They are likely pantry staples. If not, they are simple ingredients, none-the-less.

• dry pinto beans
• dry great northern beans
• low-sodium chicken broth
• low-sodium vegetable broth
• garlic cloves
• onion
• carrots
• celery
• seasonings: onion and garlic powder, bay leaves, salt and pepper
• smoked ham

Why low-sodium broth? We always prefer to use this broth so we can control the sodium content in our recipes.

Using both chicken and vegetable broth offers a flavor that isn’t overpowered by the other. I didn’t want to taste just beans in chicken broth, so the combination alleviates this and holds onto the flavor of the beans.

---

Sign up to receive a weekly newsletter with NEW recipes!

First Name

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you're human:

---

How long does it take bean soup to cook?

If using a slow cooker, it takes about 6 1/2 to 8 hours to cook this easy bean soup with ham on LOW, or about 4 hours on HIGH.

Steps for making ham and bean soup in a slower cooker:

• Soak dry beans for at least 6 hours or overnight.
• Turn on slow cooker to low (or high) and simply add all your ingredients: ham, broth, soaked beans, veggies, and spices.
• Cook on low for at least 6 hours. Leave on warm until ready to serve.

You’ll love these dinner recipe ideas:

• One-Pot Rustic Beef Tortellini Stew
• Roasted Red Pepper, Tomato, Carrot Bisque
• Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta

We like to start this the night before and then set it to warm in the morning. We’ll have a bowl for lunch when we’re ready. It’s a fantastic comfort food and just an easy, hearty meal that’s filling and can be served for lunch, dinner, or as a side.

Can you freeze this soup?

To freeze ham and bean soup, spoon into freezer-safe bags or containers after allowing to cool. Freeze up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Heat in a medium saucepan until boiling, or temperature reaches 165 degrees.

Otherwise, store in a covered container and refrigerate up to 5 days, reheating the same.

I hope you enjoy this super easy, oh-so savory, slow cooker Ham and Bean Soup recipe. Let me know in the comments if you tried this recipe. Be sure to tag #ladleandgrain on facebook, instagram, and twitter!