Wondering how to make ham and bean soup in a slow cooker? This simple slow cooker ham and bean soup is easily made with leftover ham, vegetables, beans and broth. You can also include a ham bone to create a super flavorful soup. Great for leftover ham!
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Do you have leftover spiral ham from a recent holiday dinner? Are you looking to create a delicious, flavorful soup to give that ham a second life? This recipe is perfect for just that!
In this post I’ll show you exactly what you’ll need, how to prepare the soup and how to use the ham bone if you still have that as well. This soup is great for feeding a crowd or preparing and freezing for later meals.
This soup is loaded with protein and fiber and great as a dinner or paired with a salad for a hearty lunch.
What do I need to make slow cooker ham and bean soup?
- Ham – feel free to use your leftover holiday ham or you can also dice a ham steak or other prepared ham.
- Ham bone – optional – cooking your soup with the internal ham bone is a great way to add rich flavor to your soup. It will also cook off any remaining meat from the bone.
- Carrots – diced carrots are great for adding color, texture and flavor to the soup.
- Celery – an great addition to flavor the soup. Also adds some additional texture and volume to the soup.
- Onion (white or yellow) – an integral soup ingredient. Most soups include include onion for flavor and richness to the broth.
- Beans – for this recipe I used three types of beans; Cannellini, Great Northern and Butter Beans. You could also use Navy Beans or even a dry bean mix (would need soaking prior to cooking).
- Broth or stock – needed to create the broth of the soup.
- Seasoning – you’ll need basil, oregano, garlic salt and pepper.
For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the post for the recipe. Thanks!
How do I prepare ham and bean soup in a slow cooker?
Start by preparing your ingredients. You’ll need to dice the ham, drain and rinse the beans, and dice the onion, celery and carrots.
Once your ingredients are prepped, they can go directly into the slow cooker. Along with your ingredients you can add the ham bone right into the ingredients. (Seen above). Ideally you’ll want to “bury” the bone into the ingredients to have it cook along with the rest of the ingredients.
At this time you’ll also add the seasoning to the soup. The seasoning we’re using is basil, oregano, garlic salt and pepper.
What is the advantage to cooking a soup with a ham bone?
Slow cooking a soup with a ham bone will provide superior flavor to the soup. Additionally, when cooking a soup with the bone, you’ll help eliminate any food waste by using any additional meat that is remaining on the bone.
The ham bone will also provide a velvety texture to the soup. Any collagen and connective tissue will break down in the soup and turn into gelatin. This will naturally thicken the soup and will give it a velvety, creamy texture.
Be sure to check out my recipe for Orange Glazed Spiral Ham for preparing a delicious holiday ham.
What type of broth is best for ham and bean soup?
For this soup I used a vegetable broth, but you could also use a chicken stock or broth. You could also use a homemade stock if you have it on hand.
How long does the soup cook in the slow cooker?
Cook the soup on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
Ingredient Substitutions and Recommendations:
- Lentils – this is a great pairing for the beans and would provide extra protein and fiber to the soup.
- Other beans – for this recipe I used Great Northern, Cannellini and Butter Beans. You could also use a dry mix. Dried beans would need to be soaked prior to cooking. Be sure to follow package directions for preparation.
- Additional seasoning – you could use a mixture of Bay leaves, thyme or other seasoning of your preference.
For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the recipe at the bottom of the post. Thanks!
Need more ideas for leftover ham? These options are also great:
- Ham and Veggie Baked Egg Cups
- Freezer Friendly Breakfast Sandwiches
- Fruit and Meat Snack Kabobs
- Mac and Cheese with Ham and Broccoli
- Ham Tetrazzini by Kylee Cooks
- Easy Muffuletta Salad Recipe by Randa Nutrition
Frequently asked questions about making ham and bean soup:
It is not necessary, but using a ham bone or hock does add great flavor and richness to the soup.
Once cooked, store in and airtight container and refrigerate. The soup will keep for up to 5 days refrigerated.
Yes, ham and bean soup can be frozen. Store in a freezer container or individual freezer-safe meal prep containers. When kept frozen the soup will last for up to 3 months.
What can I serve with ham and bean soup:
We recommend fresh bread and salad to go with this soup recipe. Here are some of our recipes that would go well with this soup:
- Easy Cheesy Breadsticks
- Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Harvest Salad with Pears
- Mini Cornbread Muffins from It Is A Keeper
- The Best Southern Cornbread Recipe from Homemade Heather
If you loved this slow cooker soup recipe, check out some of these other similar posts:
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Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup with Ham Bone
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups ham diced
- 1 ham bone or hock optional
- 1 (14.5 oz.) can cannellini beans drained and rinsed
- 1 (14.5 oz.) can butter beans drained and rinsed
- 1 (14.5 oz.) can Great Northern beans drained and rinsed
- 1 cup carrots diced
- 1 cup celery diced
- 1 cup yellow onion diced, about one medium onion
- 1 32 oz. carton vegetable broth or stock or chicken broth
Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
- To a slow cooker add the diced ham, carrots, celery and onion. Drain and rinse the beans and add them to the slow cooker as well.
- For the ham bone: if you have a leftover ham bone or hock, I would recommend adding it to the slow cooker. It will add great flavor and richness to the soup. You don't have to add this if you don't have it.
- Pour in the broth and add the seasoning to the soup.
- Cook all ingredients on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours in your slow cooker.
- Just before serving, take out the ham bone. Any remaining meat will have cooked off. Serve the soup right away while hot. Enjoy
Notes
Nutrition
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