Easy and delicious slow cooker white bean and ham soup recipe takes only 10 minutes to throw together and the crockpot does all of the work! Serve with crusty bread or crackers and you have the perfect Fall or Winter Dinner.
Bean and ham soup has been a favorite of mine since childhood. My mom used to make it pretty regularly so it always feels like home to me. It was one of those recipes that she would make for Sunday dinner, or during the week when we came home from Softball practice chilled to the bone. And it is pretty inexpensive to make too! I am the oldest of 6 children and my dad was a police officer so this was a staple in our home.
It is comforting and simple but delicious. I hope it feels like home to you too.
Using Leftover Holiday Ham
This was one of those meals that we always had anytime we had leftover ham. If you make this using ham that was cooked with a glaze, be sure to rinse it off. There are usually a lot of sugars in those glazes that will completely change the taste of the soup if you don't rinse it off. Cooking soup with a ham bone, simmered for hours, is a delicious way to make soup and well worth the time. But, it is rare that I have/buy a ham bone, so for the sake of this recipe, I will be sharing how I make this soup on any regular weeknight. It is still from scratch, and is the quickest and easiest way with delicious results.
Slow Cooker Soup
You can certainly make this recipe on the stovetop, but I highly recommend making it in a slow cooker. It just makes it incredibly effortless. You can just throw all of the ingredients in there and not even think about it until its time to eat. It is so easy!
Choosing Ingredients
I usually have carrots, celery, and onions on hand, as well as bullion or broth. There are a lot of recipes that don't include the veggies, but I love the flavor they add and I also love adding them to our family's diet.
When I am buying groceries for the week when I know I am making this, I usually just grab a 1 pound package of cubed, cooked, ham from the deli section. It makes the whole recipe so much easier. Also, a little tip- if you are at Trader Joe's, you can pick up a Mirepoix and use that in place of the chopped veggies. It makes the soup even easier.
White Bean and Ham Soup
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried white navy or great northern beans soaked, sorted, rinsed
- 3 carrots chopped
- 1/2 onion diced
- 3 celery branches pulled from the stalk and chopped
- 7 cups water
- 7 tsp. chicken bullion
- 1 tsp. garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp. ground pepper
- 1 pound precooked ham cubed
- salt to taste
Instructions
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In a very large bowl, soak beans in water overnight. Keep in mind that the beans will roughly double in size.
Drain water and remove any odd-looking or bad beans.
Add beans to crockpot.
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Add remaining ingredients to the slow cooker with the exception of the salt. Give it a quick stir.
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Cook on low setting for 8-10 hours or until the beans are soft.
If the soup is too thick, add another cup of water + 1 tsp. bullion.
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We prefer a chunkier soup, so I always just leave it as is, but if you prefer your soup to be more smooth, you can use a masher or immersion blender to reach desired texture. Either way, it tastes delicious.
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I don't usually add any extra salt, but you can add it to taste. The ham and bullion are already salty, so I don't end up needing it most of the time.
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Serve hot with a side of crusty bread and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Notes: I usually purchase the precooked ham already cubed in the deli section. It makes the recipe even easier.
I also usually leave the veggies a bit chunkier for our family's personal preference. If you prefer a more smooth soup, you can dice your vegetables smaller, mash the beans, or use an immersion blender.
And since it is fall, and we have lots of wonderful soup-filled days ahead, here are 20 amazing soup recipes for you to try!
Easy Slow Cooker White Bean and Ham Soup by Ella Claire & Co. | Creamy Cauliflower Soup by Tidbits | Butternut Squash Minestrone by Nest of Posies | Light Creamy Mushroom Soup by The Chronicles of Home | Corn Chowder by On Sutton Place
Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup by Live Laugh Rowe | Apple and Celeriac Soup by Inspired by Charm | Chicken Gnocchi Soup by Tidy Mom | Chicken and Dumplings by House 214 | French Onion Soup Bowls by Shabbyfufu
Sausage Tortellini Soup by My 100 Year Old Home | White Chicken Chili by Rooms For Rent | Roasted Pumpkin & Garlic Soup by Home Made Lovely | Healthy Halibut Chowder by Town and Country Living | Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup- Japanese Udon by Happy Happy Nester
Creamy Low-Carb Roasted Cauliflower Soup by Summer Adams | Dairy Free Cream of Broccoli Soup by Zevy Joy | Butternut Squash and Pear Soup by Nick + Alicia | Harvest Lentil Soup by French Country Cottage | Creamy Asparagus Soup with Bacon and Lime Creme Fraiche by My Sweet Savannah
Kellie
This looks delicious!
Summer Adams
Wow! Soooo yummy! Thanks for sharing, Kristen! Xoxo
Kelly S Rowe
This looks so good, Kristen! A bowl of comfort food for the win. -xo
Michael Wurm Jr
This looks so delicious! So comforting and cozy for fall!
xo Michael
Jennifer @ Town and Country Living
This looks yummy Kristen! I don't eat meat but I know my hubby would love this. Thanks for organizing today's tour!