A hearty soup is an easy meal and the perfect way to enjoy leftover ham.
This hearty homemade ham and bean soup recipe is easy to make – no soaking required! A mixture of beans, ham, onion, and broth simmer in the crockpot for a meal that is as easy as it is delicious!
Serve it with a piece of cornbread or a crusty loaf for dipping.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
I am excited to have partnered with Hurst’s HamBeens® 15 BEAN SOUP® to bring you this belly-warming bean soup recipe.
Hearty Homestyle Goodness
- A hearty family meal, this slow cooker Ham and Bean Soup recipe is easy to prepare.
- This simple soup requires few ingredients, starting with Hurst’s® HamBeens® 15 Bean Soup®, onions, and ham – no soaking required.
- Budget-friendly, this soup can be made with leftover ham or a ham bone from Christmas or Easter dinner. You can also use smoked turkey or a ham hock.
- This soup freezes perfectly and reheats well.
Ingredients for Ham and Bean Soup
- Beans – This ham and bean soup starts with a blend of dried beans. I use Hurst’s® HamBeens® 15 Bean Soup® as it has a great variety of beans including great northern beans, navy beans, and more. They are sold in the dry bean section of almost any grocery store or online.
- Seasoning – Hurst’s 15 Bean Soup includes a seasoning packet to flavor. If you don’t have the seasoning packet add a cube of bouillon (any flavor). You can also add dried herbs or bay leaves if you’d like. You can add a little bit of thyme or some minced cloves of garlic if you’d like.
- Ham – If you have a leftover ham bone from baked ham add it to the soup while it’s cooked for extra flavor. If you don’t have a ham bone, ask the butcher or deli for either ham bones (they’re usually inexpensive) or ham hocks. If you don’t have either, leftover chopped ham works beautifully in this recipe, too.
- Broth – As the ham adds a lot of salt, I prefer a reduced sodium broth in this recipe.
- Vegetables – Canned tomatoes are great in this recipe and can be replaced with canned tomatoes with chilis (like Rotel) to add a little bit of spice. Sliced celery or carrots can be added.
How to Make Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup
- Rinse beans and add to the slow cooker with onions, ham, broth, and seasonings (per the recipe below).
- Cook on high for 5 hours (or low for 7-8) or until beans are tender.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
Easy peasy! Serve warm with cornbread for dipping.
Important: Do not add acidic ingredients, like canned tomatoes, until the beans are soft.
Tips for Bean Soup
- Rinse the beans well and check for any debris. No soaking is needed when using a slow cooker.
- If you have already soaked the beans, you can reduce the liquid in the recipe by 1 cup.
- IMPORTANT: Add acidic ingredients (such as canned tomatoes or lemon juice) after the beans have softened (these ingredients can sometimes interfere with rehydration).
- For a thinner consistency, add one extra cup of broth or water to your slow cooker. For a thicker bean soup, remove a cup or so of the beans, blend them, and add them back into the soup.
Storing Leftovers
Fridge: Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
Freezer: This ham and bean soup recipe makes a large batch and it freezes well. I divide it into individual portions so it’s easy to thaw as many portions as needed. Thaw in the fridge overnight and heat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
More Favorite Bean Soups
Did your family love this Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 package HamBeens® 15 BEAN SOUP® with seasoning packet
- 8 cups reduced sodium chicken broth or chicken stock
- 1 meaty ham bone or ham hocks, diced ham or 1 lb. cooked sausage
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder optional
- 15 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juices, 1 can
- 1 lemon juiced
- hot sauce or red pepper flakes to taste, optional
Instructions
- Rinse the beans and drain. Sort any unwanted debris and set seasoning packet aside.
- In a 6qt crockpot, add the beans, broth, ham bone (if using), onion, garlic, and chili powder in a 6qt slow cooker. Do not add lemon or tomatoes until the beans are softened.
- Cook on high for 5 hours (or low for 7-8) or until the beans are tender.
- Once the beans are tender, remove the ham bone (if using), chop any meat left on the bone, and add it back to the slow cooker.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, ham seasoning packet, and lemon juice.
- Cook for an additional 30 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Pork, Slow Cooker, Soup
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
I am excited to have partnered with Hurst’s HamBeens® 15 BEAN SOUP® to bring you this belly-warming recipe. While I was compensated for this post, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Working with great brands I love allows me to keep bringing you the great recipes you love!
I’m really bummed. The beans didn’t soften for me at all with this recipe. I used the same bean mix the recipe calls for and they stayed hard. Any way to soften them up?
Oh no Cassie! Did you add the tomatoes/lemon before the beans were softened? That can sometimes interfere with the rehydration process. If your slow cooker is older, you may also like to double check the temperature on it to make sure it’s still running at an optimal temperature.
That happened to me, too. I didn’t pre-soak the beans (like I normally do with dried beans), and I followed the recipe as written. I had to cook my soup for 12 -14 hours to get the beans properly cooked. Maybe I should have soaked them?
Did you have anything acidic in the pot (tomatoes/lemon etc)?
My beans weren’t done after 5 hours crockpot on high. Transferred to pot and now trying to boil until tender. Wish me luck!
Oh no! Did you add the tomatoes/lemon before the beans were softened? That can sometimes interfere with the rehydration process. If your slow cooker is older, you may also like to double check the temperature on it to make sure it’s still running at an optimal temperature.
I am having the same problem…and did make the mistake of adding tomatoes and lemon juice first thing. Did your beans ever soften?
Do you have to use lemon juice or can you omit it?
Lemon is added for flavor, you can omit it.
About how much juice do you use? I think I used to much and only used half a lemon.
I used a whole lemon which is about 3 tablespoons of juice.
It looks so good I am hungry now
I grew up with my dad making soups with beans. Ever since I’ve loved making them myself. Thanks for this recipe. I can jazz up my own soups.
What a fun memory Kelly! We love bean soup too!!
Looks good! If I’m using sausage, do I add it with the beans at the beginning, or with the tomatoes at the end? I don’t want to over cook it!
I would add it in at the beginning.
Some beans carry a toxin in the skins and need a ‘good rolling boil’ for 10 minutes, before the commencement of any recipe. Kidney beans are definitely one of these with toxins, but I now treat all beans the same before use.
Any substitute for ham ?
Thanks in advance
Yes! You can use 1lb sausage, 1 lb. boneless chicken breasts or 1 lb. beef roast. You will shred the meat when adding the tomatoes.
How would it taste with out meat?
I haven’t tried it without meat however I do think it would be delicious!! Please let us know how it works out for you if you do try it!
If you do it with chicken, do you cook the chicken first?
You could use smoked turkeyas an alternative.
So happy you made this even easier in a crock pot! I shared with my family and they will be using it too! I only use Hurst’s 15 bean soup. Put some on this morning! Thanks for the great,fast recipe!
Enjoy Debra, I agree… I love the easy slow cooker version!
Where do I purchase the ham seasoning packet?
The seasoning packet comes in the HamBeens 15 Bean Soup package.
What if you can’t find these beans ? Can you use different ones and what would you substitute. The favor package with ? Thank you
Most major US grocery stores carry Hurst’s 15 Bean Soup, you can double check in dry bean aisle. The seasoning packet can be replaced with bouillon cubes (your favorite flavor). If you ever get a chance to try the Hurst’s HamBeens, I’d highly recommend grabbing a couple of bags! They’re delicious.
I found them in WalMart
I couldn’t find this brand in the store so I had to get Goya 16 bean mix. I don’t have the packet. How do I make it without? I see before you said cubes but that’s all that was suggested. Do I just drop in chicken cubes? How do I get the smoke
You can find Hurst’s 15 Bean Soup in the bean aisle of most US grocery stores (or online).
I would add the chicken cubes along with the water. The smoky flavor also comes from ham if you’re using it.
liquid smoke works also.
How many chicken cubes do you add? I to couldn’t find those kinds of beans and am having to add the cubes but not sure how many. Hoping it turns out as great as it looks and sounds.
I would add 1 or 2 cubes.
I know it says can of diced tomatoes but do you use the juice too
Great question. Yes, you add the juice too!
Making it today! I accidentally added all ingredients right from the start… hopefully I didn’t ruin it!
It shouldn’t! Let me know if it turned out okay.
I did the same! ugh how was yours?
Love this
Sounds so good. I want to try it.
I’ve been wanting to try that mix! LOVE this recipe and it looks so warm and comforting! <3
Jenn, you would TOTALLY love it. So delicious, so filling!
Would you know how to do this in a pressure cooker (electric)?
While I haven’t tried this recipe in the pressure cooker, I have cooked dried beans in the pressure cooker for about 25 minutes with great results. If you do cook this in your pressure cooker, please let us know how it works out for you!
Sara did you end up trying in your pressure cooker? Looking to try this in my insta pot
Hi Holly,
Great recipe. I live in Canada and I’m not sure if we have the bean soup product, so I’m wondering what spices are in the packet. I can’t wait to make this!!
Hi Tracy! The seasoning packet can be replaced with bouillon cubes (your favorite flavor). If you ever get a chance to try the Hurst’s HamBeens, I’d highly recommend grabbing a couple of bags! They’re delicious. :)
How many bouillon cubes?
I would add one or two.
Delicious
Thanks Luis, we LOVE this soup!
I made it with cooked (Jimmy Dean) breakfast sausage last weekend. Cooked the crumbled sausage til it was crisp. Delicious.
That would be amazing!! Thank you for sharing Robert!
I’m in love with this recipe!
It’s one of my cold weather favorites too Dorothy! Easy, hearty and delicious!
What is you add the seasoning packet in the beginning will that run the taste?
It doesn’t ruin the taste however salt can interfere with the rehydration process.
Where do you find ham seasoning?
The seasoning comes in the package of beans.