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Crock Pot Ham and Bean Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 103 reviews

Hearty and flavorful Crock Pot Ham and Bean Soup made with tender beans, savory ham, and fresh vegetables slow-cooked to perfection. This comforting soup is easy to prepare, perfect for cold days, and customizable with your choice of beans like great northern, pinto, or navy beans.

Ingredients

Scale

Beans and Meat

  • 1 pound dried beans (great northern, pinto, or navy beans), rinsed and drained
  • 1 to 1.5 pounds ham bone with some meat or diced cooked ham

Vegetables

  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids and Seasonings

  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse and Drain the Beans: Carefully rinse the dried beans under cold water, removing any debris or damaged beans. Drain them well and place in a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
  2. Cook the Vegetables: In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the chopped onion, celery, and carrots. Stir frequently until the vegetables are crisp-tender, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant. Transfer all the cooked vegetables to the slow cooker with the beans.
  3. Slow Cook the Soup: Add the ham bone (or diced ham), chicken broth, thyme, and bay leaves to the slow cooker. Stir to combine all ingredients. Cover and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or on low for 7 to 8 hours, until the beans are tender and the flavors have melded.
  4. Remove Herbs and Ham Bone: Once cooking is complete, carefully remove the bay leaves, thyme sprigs if whole, and the ham bone from the slow cooker. Shred any meat from the ham bone if used, then return the meat to the soup.
  5. Add Peas and Vinegar: Stir in the frozen peas and red wine vinegar. Let the soup cook on low for an additional 10-15 minutes until the peas are heated through.
  6. Season and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust the salt and pepper to your preference. Serve hot with crusty bread, a fresh salad, or sautéed greens for a complete meal. ENJOY!

Notes

  • Soak beans overnight for a creamier texture and shorter slow cooking time; if soaked, reduce cooking by about 1-2 hours on low.
  • For a thicker soup, mash some beans against the side of the slow cooker and stir.
  • Ham bone with meat adds depth; diced ham can be used for a meatier soup.
  • Use low-sodium broth to control salt levels and add salt at the end to taste.
  • Fresh herbs can be substituted for dried, adjust quantities accordingly.
  • Variations: switch between great northern, navy, or pinto beans based on preference.

Keywords: ham and bean soup, crock pot soup, slow cooker ham bean soup, easy bean soup, comfort food soup, hearty soup

Find it online: https://topreci.com/crock-pot-ham-and-bean-soup-recipe/