Slow cooker ham and beans is a perfect cold weather meal. It is especially great if you have some leftover ham to use up. Make a pot and some cornbread today!
This hearty meal of ham and beans is made easily in a slow cooker. Let it cook all day long and you’ll have a stick to your rib dinner waiting for you when you get home!
Ham and bean soup is perfect with a side of cornbread and is sure to fill you up. Just remember to save a bone and some ham from your next holiday meal!
Happy soup season to one and to all! I love soup season.
I would celebrate almost daily during the fall and winter if I didn’t share my dinner table with a soup scrooge. The struggle is real, y’all!
Luckily I can win him over with things like chili and ham and beans. Hardy soups that eat like a meal are acceptable as long as I don’t go crazy and try to make them too often!
I had a nice meaty ham bone leftover from a spiral ham. So, I put it to good use! I like to throw the bone in with the beans for the cooking.
I do remove whatever meat is on the bone at the end and return it to the pot, but I like to add some fresh ham at that point as well. I like the meat to have a nice hammy texture.
The ham that has been cooked all day is a little soft, so the fresh ham really adds back in the texture and flavor. Slice up some fresh cornbread and you are in business!
We actually really like ours with corn muffins instead. They are super simple to make from scratch. If you haven’t tried them yet, you really should!
How do you thicken ham and beans?
If your broth is thinner than you’d like, just mash a few of the beans. The starch from the beans will help make the broth thick and creamier!
How do you store leftover soup?
Store leftover soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to a week. Ham and bean soup also freezes really well.
For easy lunches later, freeze it in single serve sizes. Defrost the soup overnight and then warm up when you are ready to eat it!
If you love ham and beans, but would like a quicker version check out my recipe for instant pot ham and bean soup.
I also have a collection of recipes using leftover ham if you need more inspiration!
Love this recipe? Give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review in the recipe card below!
Slow Cooker Ham and Beans
Ham and bean soup is a perfect cold weather meal. It is especially great if you have some leftover ham to use up. Make a pot and some cornbread today!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds dry great northern beans
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 T chopped parsley
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 meaty ham bone
- 8 cups water
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1-2 cups ham, in about half inch cubes
- optional: 1/4 teaspoon cloves
Instructions
- Soak beans overnight. Drain and rinse.
- Add beans, spices, ham bone and water to your slow cooker. (I used a 6 quart insert)
- Cook on low for about 7-8 hours.
- Remove ham bone and bay leaf. Stir in onion and chopped ham. Continue to cook for another 30 minutes to an hour. (This give you time to make your cornbread!)
- For a thicker soup, remove a cup or so of the cooked beans. Mash them then stir them back into the pot.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 310Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 636mgCarbohydrates: 49gFiber: 16gSugar: 3gProtein: 24g
All nutritional information is estimated and will depend on the exact ingredients you use.
Tricia
Sunday 16th of January 2022
I loved these beans. Delicious! Great the next day too! Thanks.
Carlee
Sunday 16th of January 2022
That makes me so happy to hear, thank you!
Michele
Tuesday 1st of December 2015
Just want you to know that I made this soup yesterday and it was fabulous! My house smelled so good while it was cooking too!
Carlee
Tuesday 1st of December 2015
Oh good! I saw on Instagram that you had it going. I was hoping you would enjoy it! Hooray, thanks for letting me know!
AJ @ Aspen Jay
Monday 23rd of November 2015
Hi Carlee, I really need to get more soup recipes in my rotation of meals, so thanks for sharing yours and for partying with us at Talented Tuesday. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I bet it will be wonderful with your cooking! :) Cheers, AJ
Carlee
Monday 23rd of November 2015
Thanks, Aspen! I would love to make more soups too. I just need to talk my husband into considering them dinner ;-) Every once in a while I can get away with it!
Christine | Mid-Life Croissant
Wednesday 18th of November 2015
Yay I was hoping to find the soup that went with the cornbread. Perfect combination! Thanks for linking up to #SaucySaturdays.
Carlee
Thursday 19th of November 2015
They do go perfectly together! Thanks for stopping by!
Carlee
Tuesday 17th of November 2015
What a perfect meal after being on the boat all day! Thanks so much for hosting!