This easy slow cooker ham and bean soup recipe is a big bowl of warm comfort for chilly nights. This hearty soup is made with dried white beans, leftover ham, savory vegetables and lots of fresh herbs. It tastes like you’ve been in the kitchen all day, but the slow cooker does all the hard work!
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Get ready to cozy up with a bowl of crockpot ham and bean soup that’s full of rich, hearty flavors. Tender beans, smoky ham, and aromatic vegetables simmer together to create a comforting dish that’s perfect for chilly evenings or busy weeknights. It’s an easy one-pot recipe that’s perfect for using up that leftover Christmas or Easter ham!
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup Recipe
Enjoy more of my favorite leftover ham recipes like ham casserole and baked ham and cheese sliders!
Key Ingredients
Below you will find helpful notes for key ingredients used to make this recipe for crockpot ham and bean soup. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and exact amounts!
- Beans: For this recipe, I like to use dried Great Northern white beans. They get so tender when cooked low and slow!
- Onion: A yellow onion is preferred since it has the best natural sweetness. However, a white onion also works well in a pinch.
- Fresh Herbs: Fresh rosemary and thyme are what really make this soup the BEST! If you have to use dried herbs, you may want to consider cutting the amounts in half since they’re more potent.
- Ham: You can grab ham steaks from the grocery store to make this soup any time of year you want. Or, if you’re like me, use up that leftover holiday ham (with the bone) that you have sitting in the fridge!
How to Make Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup
This is the definition of a set it and forget it recipe! Below is a quick recipe overview, but please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full instructions and to watch the step-by-step video.
- Add everything to a crockpot: Rinse and drain the beans. Toss them in the slow cooker, then stir in the remaining ingredients.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours.
- Enjoy: Add a little salt and pepper as needed. Serve war with a piece of crusty bread!
Chef’s Tips and Variations
- Add Carrots: Peel and dice some carrots along with the celery for even more veggies.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes or smoked paprika adds a nice kick.
- Creamy Variation: Blend a portion of the soup and mix it back in for a creamier texture.
- Ham Bone Bonus: If you have a ham bone, add it for extra flavor.
Ways to Serve Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup
- Bread: I love serving this ham and bean soup with a piece of crusty bread from the bakery! Of course, you can always go the extra mile with some buttery beer bread.
- Side Dish: Pair this hearty, savory soup with a lighter fare like copycat Maggiano’s chopped salad for a good balance of flavors.
Storing and Freezing
- Storing: Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Let the soup fully cool to room temperature prior to freezing in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried Great Northern White Beans
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large yellow sweet onion, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, minced
- 2 8 oz Smithfield Anytime Favorites Boneless Ham Steaks, diced
- salt and lots of freshly ground back pepper, to taste
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Instructions
- Rinse and drain beans and place them in the bottom of a large (8-quart) slow cooker. Add all remaining ingredients and stir.
- Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or until the beans are tender.
- Season to taste as needed with salt and pepper. Serve hot with a hunk of warm bread.
Notes
Nutrition
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The herbs way overpowered the soup. I could’nt even eat it and my boyfriend thought the same
I believe the herb portions are off. The basic soup is good but the two Tablespoons of minced fresh Rosemary pushes the taste past the “good” point to awful.
hi! i’m anxious to try this recipe later this week, it looks great! i’m new to cooking with dried beans. i picked up a 1lb pack of great northern beans and it says there are 13 1/4 cup servings in there (at 120 calories each). do you really use the whole bag in the recipe? i just wanted to check, because that would be about 3 servings of beans per each serving of soup.
thanks!
This looks really delicious! A perfect weekend treat!
This looks so flavorful with all those herbs! Yum!
Made this last night with a ham bone I had frozen in my freezer and the ham steak for actual bites of ham. Was absolutely delicious and my husband took leftovers for lunch today. Can’t wait to make again.
I love ham SO much. Totally in the mood for this ham and bean soup!
Such a hearty soup!! I love how easy it is..perfect for weeknights!!
I don’t have an 8 quart slow cooker. Can I use a 5 quart or 3 quart by halving the ingredients? The soup sounds amazing and I’d really like to try it.
Yes! You absolutely can!
I have this in the slow cooker right now and my house smells amazing!
Hope it turned out delicious!
What a hearty soup! This is everything a gourmet dish should be, and then some! Excited to have this for dinner tonight!
Love a good hearty soup! Especially with white beans.
I made this tonight with the ham steaks and a ham bone I had frozen in my freezer. delicious! Served with a big hunk of french bread and it was great.
You’re right, it couldn’t get any easier. I will toss everything into this slow cooker ham bean soup after the stressful working day- tonight. Like you cooking as same as meditation method for me.