Recipes

It’s the kind of dish that brings everyone to the table without needing a special occasion.

AQBy Avery QuinnNovember 5, 202613 min read

Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.

Add the onion, carrots, and celery.

Cook for approximately 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.

Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

Step 3: Add the ham.

Stir in the diced ham.

Allow it to cook with the vegetables for 2–3 minutes.

This helps distribute the savory flavor throughout the soup.

Step 4: Add the beans and broth.

Pour in the chicken broth.

Add the drained beans and diced tomatoes if using.

Stir gently.

Step 5: Season the soup.

Add the bay leaves, thyme, smoked paprika, and black pepper.

Avoid adding too much salt at this stage because ham can already be quite salty.

Step 6: Simmer.

Bring the soup to a gentle boil.

Reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, for 35–45 minutes.

Stir occasionally.

The vegetables should become tender, and the flavors will blend together.

Step 7: Thicken if desired.

For a thicker soup, remove approximately one cup of beans with a little broth.

Mash them with a fork and stir them back into the pot.

This creates a creamier consistency without adding cream or flour.

Step 8: Taste and serve.

Remove the bay leaves.

Taste and adjust the seasoning.

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Serve hot with cornbread, biscuits, or your favorite side.

How to Make Ham and Bean Soup Taste Even Better

A few simple techniques can make a big difference.

Use flavorful ham

Smoked ham adds depth to the broth.

Leftover holiday ham is particularly useful because it has already been cooked and seasoned.

A meaty ham bone can also be simmered in the soup to add flavor. Remove it before serving, discard the bone and any cartilage, and return any usable meat to the pot.

Don’t rush the simmering

Even when using canned beans, allowing the soup to simmer gently helps the ingredients develop a more balanced flavor.

Add acidity near the end

A small squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of apple cider vinegar can brighten the flavor.

Start with a little, taste, and adjust.

Avoid oversalting

Ham, broth, and canned ingredients may already contain significant sodium.

Taste the soup before adding extra salt.

Adjust the thickness

If the soup becomes too thick, add a little extra broth or water.

If it’s too thin, mash some of the beans.

This allows you to control the texture without changing the basic recipe.

Can You Make Ham and Bean Soup in a Slow Cooker?

Yes.

Ham and bean soup is an excellent slow-cooker meal, especially when you’re using canned or fully cooked beans.

Sauté the vegetables first if you want extra flavor.

Then transfer them to the slow cooker with the ham, beans, broth, and seasonings.

Cook on low for approximately 4–6 hours, or until everything is hot and the vegetables are tender. Actual cooking times depend on your appliance.

If using dried beans, cook them appropriately before adding them to the slow cooker. Dried kidney beans in particular require proper boiling to destroy naturally occurring toxins; slow cooking alone may not reach a sufficiently high temperature.