Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup is a hearty and comforting dish that combines tender beans, smoky ham, and a medley of vegetables, all simmered together to create a flavorful meal. Perfect for chilly evenings, this recipe offers the convenience of a slow cooker, allowing the flavors to meld together with minimal effort. It’s an excellent way to utilize leftover ham and provides a satisfying option for the whole family.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

1 package (15 oz) 15-bean soup mix (such as Hurst’s HamBeens with Ham Flavor Packet)
1 onion, diced
3 celery stalks, sliced
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2½ pounds ham hocks or diced ham
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon chili powder
8 cups chicken stock
3 bay leaves
5 sprigs fresh thyme
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
Juice of 1 lemon

Directions

Prepare Ingredients: Rinse and drain the 15-bean mix, setting aside the seasoning packet if included. Dice the onion, slice the celery, peel and chop the carrots, and mince the garlic.
Combine in Slow Cooker: Place the prepared vegetables, minced garlic, and ham hocks (or diced ham) into the slow cooker.
Add Beans and Seasonings: Add the rinsed beans to the slow cooker along with the salt, pepper, chili powder, and the seasoning packet from the bean mix.
Add Liquids and Herbs: Pour the chicken stock over the ingredients. Add the bay leaves and thyme sprigs.
Cook: Cover and cook on HIGH for 5 hours or LOW for 7-8 hours, until the beans are tender.
Finish the Soup: Remove the ham hocks, bay leaves, and thyme sprigs from the slow cooker. If using ham hocks, separate the meat from the bones and return the meat to the soup. Stir in the diced tomatoes and lemon juice. Cook on HIGH for an additional 30 minutes.
Serve: Serve the soup hot, optionally garnished with fresh parsley, alongside crusty bread.

Nutritional Facts

Per serving (based on 8 servings):

Calories: 557 kcal
Carbohydrates: 10 g
Protein: 46 g
Fat: 36 g
Saturated Fat: 13 g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 4 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 16 g
Cholesterol: 162 mg
Sodium: 1006 mg
Potassium: 804 mg
Fiber: 0.5 g
Sugar: 4 g
Vitamin A: 314 IU
Vitamin C: 1 mg
Calcium: 43 mg
Iron: 3 mg

The Origins of Ham and Bean Soup

Ham and bean soup is a dish that’s been around for generations, particularly in Southern and rural American cuisine. The roots of this dish lie in the necessity of using inexpensive ingredients to create filling and nutritious meals. Beans, often grown in abundance in family gardens or on farms, were used in soups because they were cheap, easy to store, and packed with protein. Ham, often leftover from large family meals or smoked and preserved to last through the winter, was added for flavor and substance.

The combination of beans and ham creates a perfectly balanced soup. Beans bring the nutrients, fiber, and heartiness, while ham provides a salty, savory depth of flavor. Over the years, different regions of the United States have created their own versions of ham and bean soup, often adding different vegetables, herbs, and spices based on local preferences and what ingredients were available.

Today, many people opt to make ham and bean soup in a slow cooker, as it allows the flavors to meld together beautifully over hours of simmering, making the most of the ingredients with very little hands-on time. The slow cooker makes this hearty dish even more convenient, especially for busy families or those who want to prepare meals ahead of time.

Health Benefits of Ham and Bean Soup

Not only is Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup a delicious meal, but it also offers several health benefits, making it a great choice for a well-rounded, nutritious dish. The combination of ham, beans, and vegetables provides a variety of nutrients that are important for overall health.

Protein: Ham and beans are both excellent sources of protein, which is essential for muscle repair and growth, as well as supporting a healthy immune system. Protein also helps to keep you feeling full and satisfied, making this soup a great option for those looking for a filling, low-calorie meal.
Fiber: Beans are an excellent source of dietary fiber, which is essential for digestive health. Fiber helps to regulate bowel movements, lower cholesterol levels, and maintain healthy blood sugar levels. It also promotes feelings of fullness, making it easier to manage your weight.
Vitamins and Minerals: The vegetables in the soup — including onions, carrots, and celery — are rich in vitamins A and C, which are important for immune function, skin health, and eye health. Beans are also a good source of folate, a B-vitamin essential for red blood cell production and preventing neural tube defects during pregnancy.
Iron: Both beans and ham are good sources of iron, which is necessary for the production of hemoglobin and helps to transport oxygen throughout the body. Consuming iron-rich foods can help prevent anemia, a condition that occurs when there isn’t enough iron in the body to produce healthy red blood cells.
Low in Fat (when using lean ham): This soup can be made leaner by opting for a small amount of lean ham or trimming off excess fat before cooking. This reduces the overall fat content while still keeping the soup hearty and satisfying.

Why Use a Slow Cooker?

One of the main reasons Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup is so popular is because of the ease and convenience of the slow cooker. The slow cooker allows you to simply throw all the ingredients together, set the heat, and let it cook while you go about your day. Here are a few reasons why using a slow cooker is ideal for this recipe:

Hands-Off Cooking: Once everything is in the slow cooker, you don’t need to worry about it. The slow cooker will take care of the cooking, which means you can focus on other tasks or relax while your soup slowly simmers. This is perfect for busy families or anyone who doesn’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.
Flavor Development: Slow cooking helps to extract and develop deep, rich flavors from the ingredients. The beans, ham, and vegetables all have time to meld together, creating a complex and satisfying taste that would be hard to achieve with faster cooking methods. The slow cooker also helps to break down the beans and meat, making them tender and easy to eat.
Convenience: You can set the slow cooker in the morning, let it cook during the day, and have a hot, flavorful meal ready for dinner. Additionally, because the soup makes a large batch, it’s an excellent option for meal prep or for feeding a crowd.
Energy-Efficient: Slow cookers are energy-efficient appliances, requiring less energy than a stove or oven. This makes them an excellent option for those who want to prepare meals without increasing their utility bills.

Ways to Customize Your Ham and Bean Soup

While this recipe is fantastic as is, one of the great things about Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup is how easily it can be customized to suit your preferences. You can adjust the flavors, ingredients, and even make it vegetarian or vegan if needed.

Add Extra Vegetables: Feel free to throw in additional vegetables such as potatoes, zucchini, or spinach to increase the nutritional value and bulk up the soup. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly if you’re adding larger chunks of vegetables.
Spice It Up: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, you can add chili flakes or a diced jalapeño pepper. A sprinkle of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika will give the soup an added layer of smokiness and spice.
Vegan or Vegetarian Version: If you want to make this soup vegetarian or vegan, simply omit the ham and use vegetable broth instead of chicken stock. You can add other plant-based protein sources, such as tofu or tempeh, to keep the soup filling.
Herb Variations: While thyme and bay leaves are traditional, feel free to experiment with other herbs such as rosemary, sage, or parsley to add different notes to the flavor profile.
Different Beans: Although the recipe uses a 15-bean soup mix, you can swap it for any other type of beans you prefer. White beans, navy beans, or even lentils can be used in place of the mixed beans.

How to Serve Ham and Bean Soup

Ham and Bean Soup is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides to create a well-rounded meal.

Crusty Bread or Cornbread: The hearty, savory nature of the soup pairs perfectly with warm, fresh-baked bread. Whether it’s a thick slice of rustic baguette, a buttered piece of sourdough, or a fluffy piece of cornbread, you can’t go wrong. The bread is perfect for dipping into the soup.
Green Salad: A light, crisp green salad can help balance out the richness of the soup. A simple salad of mixed greens with a tangy vinaigrette dressing is a perfect accompaniment.
Roasted Vegetables: If you want to add more vegetables to your meal, consider serving the soup alongside roasted vegetables such as carrots, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes.
Pickled Vegetables or Relish: The acidity from pickled vegetables or a tart relish can add a lovely contrast to the creamy richness of the soup, making for a more balanced and flavorful meal.

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup is a perfect example of how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly satisfying. It’s a meal that offers comfort, nutrition, and convenience in one pot, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or meal prepping for the week ahead. The flexibility of this recipe allows it to be customized to suit any dietary needs, from adding extra vegetables to making it vegetarian or vegan.

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