This Slow Cooker Ham & Bean Soup is a hearty, flavorful, and protein-packed comfort meal made with white beans, smoky ham, and vegetables. Easy to make in a crockpot, perfect for leftover ham, and ideal for cold-weather dinners. Includes full recipe, tips, storage, and variations.
Introduction
Few recipes feel as comforting and nostalgic as a classic ham and bean soup simmered low and slow. Whether you grew up eating it after the holidays or discovered it later, one thing is certain: this recipe warms the heart and fills the belly.
Using simple pantry staples and leftover ham, this soup transforms humble ingredients into a rich, savory broth loaded with:
✔️ Creamy white beans
✔️ Tender chunks of smoky ham
✔️ Carrots, celery, onions, and herbs
✔️ A deep, rustic flavor that only slow cooking can achieve
It’s affordable, nutritious, freezer-friendly, and incredibly satisfying.
🛒 Ingredients
Main Ingredients
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1 lb cooked ham, diced (or leftover ham from a roast)
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1 lb dry white beans (navy beans or great northern beans), rinsed
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1 large onion, diced
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2–3 carrots, sliced
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2 celery stalks, chopped
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3–4 garlic cloves, minced
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6–7 cups chicken broth (or enough to cover by 1 inch)
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1 bay leaf
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1 tsp dried thyme
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1 tsp black pepper
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Salt to taste (add at the end—ham is naturally salty)
Optional Add-Ins
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½ teaspoon smoked paprika (for extra smokiness)
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1–2 cups chopped potatoes
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Leftover ham bone for deeper flavor
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A splash of apple cider vinegar at the end for brightness
🥕 How to Make Slow Cooker Ham & Bean Soup
Step 1 — Prep the Ingredients
Rinse the dry beans thoroughly. No soaking is required when using the slow cooker, although a 4-hour soak can reduce cooking time.
Dice the ham and chop all vegetables.
Step 2 — Layer Everything Into the Crockpot
Add the following to your slow cooker:
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Beans
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Ham
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Onion
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Carrots
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Celery
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Garlic
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Spices
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Bay leaf
Pour broth over the top until everything is fully submerged.
