Ham and Bean Soup (Slow Cooker)

On those chilly evenings when the winter wind blows, a simple yet soul-soothing dish awaits in your kitchen— ham and bean soup. A warm, comforting dinner option that combines the convenience of a slow cooker with the flavors of hearty ingredients. A perfect solution for creating a satisfying and heartwarming meal that’s as easy to prepare as it is to savor.

With simple leftover ham, a ham bone, and beans, you can create a pot of hearty and comfy cozy soup. Chunks of ham and slow-cooked beans will have you coming back for more. Add a slice of cornbread, and have a filling meal for your family.

It’s no secret to anyone who knows me that I love soup. I can start soup in the morning, and it’s ready when I walk in the door in the evenings. Slow Cookers are perfect for adding all your ingredients and letting them work for you.

With the holidays in full swing, now is the time to share this recipe. Ham is usually served in our home during the holiday season- Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. And I always have leftovers, and I always save the ham bone.

I wrap and freeze the ham bone to use later, dig it out of my freezer during the winter, and make this delicious belly-warming soup. Nothing seems to take away the chill like a big bowl of comfort.

Why Ham and Bean Soup Is A Winner

This Ham and Bean Soup Recipe is crafted with beautiful leftover holiday ham slow-cooked to perfection. This is more than just a hearty soup. It’s a hug in a bowl and perfect for those chilly nights when you crave something warm and satisfying. The rich broth, hearty ham, and bean mixture make this a complete meal for any night of the week.

As the holiday season wraps up and the winter settles in, few things offer greater satisfaction than a bowl of steaming soup to warm the body and the soul.   The holiday usually leaves us with leftover ham waiting to be transformed into something extraordinary. Smoky ham and creamy beans create a symphony of flavors and a delicious reminder of the festivities that linger long after the last ornaments are packed away.

This recipe is excellent for:

Utilizing Leftover Ham: This soup is crafted with leftovers from the holidays. Even if you don’t have leftovers, you can still easily make this soup with just a few items from the grocery store.

Full of Flavors: The ham, onion, celery, carrots, and the acidity of the tomatoes create a flavor like no other.

Beans: The 15 Bean Soup Mix is a game changer. The beans have a delightful texture in every spoonful.

Slow Cooker Simplicity: Use your slow cooker or crock pot and let it do the work for you. Add everything to the pot and turn it on.

Dried Beans

I love using colorful dried beans in this soup recipe. Not only are they good for you, but they are also appetizing.
There is just a little prep work when using dried beans, but they are so worth it.
To prepare dried beans, first, rinse the beans, remove any bad ones, and discard them. Then, place rinsed beans in a bowl, cover them with water and put them into the refrigerator. In the morning, drain the beans and continue with the recipe.

Ingredients Needed For Ham and Bean Soup

This soup is made with simple ingredients. See the printable recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and amounts.

This delicious soup can be the star of your chilly evenings, where we seek refuge in the heartiness of comfort food and embrace the chill of winter with open arms. Allow it to turn your kitchen into a haven of warmth and your family dinner into a wintertime delight and add a touch of coziness to the crisp night.

• Ham Bone, ham hocks, or ham shank (with leftover meat attached)
• Diced Ham 
• Onion
• Celery
• Carrots
• Minced Garlic
• Diced Tomatoes
• Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilis
• Chili Powder
• Dried 15 Bean Soup Mix (beans soaked over night)
• Low Sodium Chicken Broth 
• Bean Seasoning (included with Bean Soup Mix)

Instructions for Making Ham and Bean Soup in the Slow Cooker

• Prepare beans the night before by rinsing and placing them in a large bowl. Cover beans with 6-8 cups of cold water. Place into the refrigerator overnight. The following day, drain the beans and continue with the recipe.
• Place the ham bone in the slow cooker. Add diced ham.
• Add beans and all other ingredients except the seasoning packet. Cook on low for 7 hours.
• About 30 minutes before the soup is done, remove the ham bone, scraping off any meat left on the bone. Break up any large pieces of ham. Be sure to check the soup carefully and remove all ham bones. Sometimes, the large bone will cook apart into several pieces.  
• Add the seasoning package and stir.
• Cook for 30 more minutes.

How To Serve This Dish

Cornbread is always my go-to for most soup recipes. It’s easy to prepare and is so filling. Here is my easy go-to recipe for cornbread included in this post.
Slow cooker ham and bean soup is not just about serving it up in bowls; it’s about making it a tasty experience for your loved ones around the table.

• Serve with cornbread, crusty bread, or crackers.

• Place diced jalapenos, red pepper flakes, and hot sauce within easy reach for those who might want a little extra seasoning.

• Add sliced lemon and limes to a dish for a squeeze or two to brighten the flavors. 

 

What To Do With A Leftover Ham Bone

After a big holiday ham meal, I wrap my ham bone and put it in the freezer. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then cover with foil. You can take it straight from the freezer and place it into the slow cooker when ready to make some soup.
If you plan to cook this soup in the next day or two, wrap it in plastic wrap and place it into the refrigerator.

Don’t Have Leftover Ham or Ham Bone

You will need diced ham for this recipe. This is a great way to use any leftover ham from the holidays. You can also buy ham hocks or ham shanks in the meat section at your local grocery store.  A smoked ham hock adds tremendous flavor. For this easy recipe, you might also use smoked sliced ham or a ham steak if you need additional diced ham.
Or, use a pound of diced and cooked link sausage for this recipe. So good!

My Leftover Ham Bone Doesn’t Have Much Meat

Sometimes, you are left without a meaty ham bone. If this is the case, go to your grocery store and buy sliced ham slices, ham hocks, or ham shanks for this soup. The depth of flavor from the smoky meat creates a dish the whole family will love.

Other Dry Beans To Use

If you can’t find the 15 Beans Soup Mix for this recipe, you might make your own mixture with some dried beans such as Great Northern Beans, Cannellini Beans (white beans), Pinto Beans, or Kidney Beans.

Recipe Tips:

Experiment with these tips and variations to make this ham and bean soup your masterpiece. 

Recipe Variations:

Recipe FAQs

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