Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
4 hrs 20 mins
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Total Time
4 hrs 40 mins
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Servings
12 servings
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Calories
158 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Soup
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Cuisine
American
Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup
Description
Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup uses simple pantry ingredients including dried beans, aromatic vegetables, seasonings, and a ham bone or hocks. The soup begins by sautéing the carrot, celery, and onion until softened, building a flavorful base. After adding broth, beans, ham bone, and spices, it simmers slowly in a slow cooker until the beans become tender and absorb the pork-infused broth. Finally, the ham bone and bay leaf are removed, and leftover chopped ham is stirred back in to enrich the soup with additional meat. The soup’s texture is thickened slightly by the softened beans, while the cumin and paprika provide a subtle earthy and smoky note.
This soup makes plenty of servings, well suited for large family meals or leftovers. It pairs well with a green salad or a piece of rustic bread for soaking up the flavorful broth. Its hearty consistency and pork flavor make it a satisfying choice on cooler days.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to four days. Beans can be soaked overnight or quick-soaked to reduce cooking time, but are optional. Choosing a meaty ham bone improves the richness. This recipe yields about twelve servings.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup carrot sliced (3-4 carrots
- 1 cup celery sliced (3-4 ribs)
- 1 onion chopped
- 4 cups chicken broth (see note 1)
- 4 cups water
- 1 pound Navy beans or pinto beans, rinsed and picked over (see note 2, dried
- 1 meaty ham bone or ham hocks (see note 3)
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin ground
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon thyme dried
- 1 bay leaf
- salt freshly ground
- black pepper freshly ground
- ham chopped, optional, cooked, additional
Instructions
- In a 3-quart saucepan or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sauté carrots, celery, and onion until softened and translucent, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Stir in broth, water, beans, ham bone, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil.
- Pour into slow cooker. Heat on HIGH for 4 to 6 hours or until beans are tender.
- Remove ham bone and bay leaf. Chop ham from bone and return to slow cooker. Add additional leftover ham, if using, and cover until heated through, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Notes
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to four days to maintain freshness.
- Soaking dried beans is optional but reduces cooking time and may improve digestibility; either overnight soak or quick soak methods work.
- A meaty ham bone or ham hocks provide depth of flavor; select based on availability.
- The recipe yields about twelve servings, suitable for a large group or batch cooking.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 158 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 serving | |
| Calories | 158kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 27g | 9% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 310mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 672mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 7g | 28% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 1909IU | 38% |
| Vitamin C | 9mg | 10% |
| Calcium | 63mg | 6% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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