This hearty ham and bean soup is a perfect recipe for the Slow Cooker, Instant Pot, or Stove Top. It’s made with navy beans and delicious bites of ham in a thick and flavorful broth!
Ham and Bean Soup
Let me tell you, this has to be one of the most satisfying soup recipes there is. It’s hearty, thick, flavorful, and super easy to make in the Crock Pot, Instant Pot, or Stove Top! (and there’s no need to rinse those dried beans overnight, see more info on that below!)
This is such an economical meal too. It freezes perfectly and use a great way to make use of leftover ham!
Ingredients
Note: The bacon pictured below is an optional garnish.
How To Make It (Summary of Stove Top Method)
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions, including Crock Pot and Instant Pot instructions.
Rinse the beans under cold water. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large soup pot over medium heat and add the onions. Cook for 5 minutes, until soft and translucent. Add the carrots, diced ham and the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
Simmer with the lid partially cracked for 3+ hours, or until it’s thickened to your desired consistency. The longer it simmers, the thicker it will become and the softer the beans will get. Stir occasionally as the beans will settle to the bottom of the pot. (PRO Tip: Consider adding the carrots during the last 40-45 minutes of cooking for a firmer consistency.)
Remove the ham bone/hock, the bay leaves, and thyme stems. Serve and enjoy!
Using a Ham Bone
- Using a nice meaty, uncleaned ham bone is what gives this soup it’s amazingly rich and savory flavor.
- The more meat on the ham bone, the better. Bits of tender ham will work it’s way into the soup.
Ham Bone Substitutes
- Smoked ham shanks or ham hocks are a great alternative and also add tremendous flavor. (A shank is meatier and more preferable for this recipe.)
- Salted pork and/or a few strips of uncooked smoked bacon can also be substituted. (But try for a shank or hock first.)
- If you’re unable to use a ham bone or any of the substitutes: Use 8 cups of chicken broth instead of 4.
Soaking Navy Beans
- I rinse, but I don’t soak, and you don’t need to for this recipe.
- The necessity of soaking beans overnight is a widely debated topic. After some research and testing, I’ve found that soaking navy beans overnight makes little difference in texture and cooking time.
- Soaking beans overnight has been said to aid in digestion as it removes some of the sugars from the beans.
- Huff Post provides more information about soaking your beans overnight and why it might not be necessary.
Using Different Kinds of Dried Beans
- Dry Pinto Beans, Great Northern Beans, or a bag of 15-Bean Mix can also be used.
Using Canned Beans
- Although canned beans are a time-saver, you won’t achieve the same depth of flavor in the broth as you do with dry beans. The broth also won’t be nearly as thick.
- Dry beans are also less expensive and don’t have added sodium as canned.
- My Ham Soup, White Bean Soup and Pinto Bean Soup recipes are great alternatives if using canned beans!
What to Serve with Ham and Bean Soup
Storing Leftovers
- Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. This soup does freeze and reheat well.
- I use these 16 oz. storage containers to store/freeze my soups. They have 8 oz. sizes as well. They’re stackable, leak proof, and dishwasher/microwave safe.
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Ham and Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cups ham, diced. (equal to two 8 oz. ham steaks.)
- 2 cups carrots, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups water
- 1 ham bone, see notes for alternatives
- 1 lb. dried Navy beans, rinsed
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 sprigs thyme
Instructions
Stove Top
- Rinse the beans under cold water.
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a large soup pot over medium heat and add the onions.
- Cook for 5 minutes, until soft and translucent.
- Add the carrots, diced ham and the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the chicken broth, water, ham bone, navy beans, 2 tsp onion powder, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Simmer with the lid partially cracked for 3+ hours, or until it's thickened to your desired consistency. The longer it simmers, the thicker it will become and the softer the beans will get. Stir occasionally as the beans will settle to the bottom of the pot. (PRO Tip: Consider adding the carrots during the last 40-45 minutes of cooking for a firmer consistency.)
- Remove the ham bone/hock, the bay leaves, and thyme stems. Serve and enjoy!
- *Add a little additional water or broth if the soup ends up thicker than you’d like.
Slow Cooker
- Note: Crock Pots can vary greatly in terms of heat. Refrain from opening the lid during cooking to ensure the beans have enough heat to cook down in a sufficient amount of time. Note that high altitudes also require more cooking time.
- Rinse the navy beans under cold water. Add all of the ingredients to a large Slow Cooker (5 quarts or larger).
- Cook on high for 6+ hours. It's ready to serve once the beans are tender and the soup is thickened to your desired consistency.
- Remove the ham bone/hock, the bay leaves, and thyme stems and serve!
Instant Pot
- Rinse the navy beans under cold water.
- Add the olive oil and butter to the Instant Pot and hit the “Sautee” button. Add the onions and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the diced ham and the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the remaining ingredients and secure the lid.
- Press the ‘cancel’ button, followed by the ‘Pressure Cook’ button.
- Set the timer to 45 minutes. The Instant Pot will take some time to get up to pressure.
- Once finished, let 10 minutes pass before you trigger the quick release valve. This will allow most of the pressure to release naturally, allowing the soup to cook a little bit longer.
- Remove the ham bone/hock, the bay leaves, and thyme stems and serve!
Notes
Ham Bone Substitutes
Smoked ham shanks or ham hocks are a great alternative and also add tremendous flavor. (A shank is meatier and more preferable for this recipe.) Salted pork and/or a few strips of uncooked smoked bacon can also be substituted. (But try for a shank or hock first.) Bacon also makes a nice optional garnish on top of this soup prior to serving. If you're unable to use a ham bone or any of the substitutes: Use 8 cups of chicken broth instead of 4.To use Canned Beans: My Ham Soup, White Bean Soup and Pinto Bean Soup recipes are great alternatives if using canned beans! If you enjoy this recipe, then you have to try my split pea soup recipe. (It's also Stove Top, Slow Cooker, and Instant Pot friendly!)
Your picture ingredients shows bacon, but the recipe does not show bacon, or in the directions?? Is there supposed to be bacon in the recipe? If so where do u add and how much??
Thanks, Ellie
Hi Ellie! There is a little note underneath the ingredient image that says “☝️ The bacon pictured above is an optional garnish.” 🙂
Love this recipe! I have to cook it about an hour or so longer but is is delicious. The only thing I change is add 2-4 tbsp of fresh local honey at the end of cooking or just add a bit to the bowl.
I love the idea of adding honey at the end!😋 I’m so happy you enjoyed the soup Melinda. Thanks so much for the great comments and review!
This recipe made my family happy. I added an extra cup of beans (2 cups soaked overnight; the third cup did not), a bit of extra ham and a teaspoon of Italian seasoning (as I had seen that spice in several other recipes). Also when I went to my pantry, there was only one can of chicken broth, so 6 cups of water went into our version with about 8-10 bouillon cubes. I used the crockpot and it had about 8 hours to cook/warm and we mashed about half of the pot with the potato masher. I have saved the recipe and will use it again.
Sounds great Kathryn, thank you so much for the review as well!
This Ham and Bean Soup recipe is absolutely the best I’ve ever tasted!! I did the crockpot method and it was absolutely perfect!! We had it for dinner tonight along with cornbread. Thanks for the fantastic recipe!!
Yayyy! I’m so happy you enjoyed this with the crockpot method! Cornbread sounds so amazing as a side!😋 Thanks so much for the great comments and review!
I made it with cornbread as well! It was great.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it Kathryn!! 🙂
This recipe was delicious! I would highly recommend making it during the winter months. The only thing I would watch is the salt content. I used regular chicken broth but next time I think I would use low sodium due to the salt content in the ham. I love salt but some people are salt sensitive. However, awesome recipe!
Great comments Marie, and I agree!🙌 With salt you really have to go with personal preference. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!
One of the best bean soups I have made. Very tasty needed no additional seasoning. Yummy!
Yayyy! I’m so happy it’s one of the best you’ve ever made!😃 Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and review!
While this was a hearty meal and my family ate it, they weren’t exactly excited about it. As they say, “It’s nothing to write home about.” I appreciate the time and effort that went into the recipe and this blog, but I think we’re going to move on to something a bit different from here.
Sorry to hear that, I think the ingredients and images used here are pretty accurate as far as what is to be expected in the end result. I don’t necessarily think Ham and Bean soup would be exciting to everyone, but it’s warm and hearty in the winter. 🙂
Used a ham bone from half a ham and followed the recipe exactly, especially the not soaking the beans. The soup was delicious, satisfying and my family loved it. I did end up adding 1/2 c of water at the end. It thickened up nicely. Thank you for posting your recipe.
You’re very welcome Holly! I’m so happy the family loved it. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!😃
I baked a 4lb ham yesterday just so I’d have a bone for this soup 🙂 and it’s simmering on my stovetop as I type. It’s -10F in Minnesota so perfect weather to cook ham and beans. I did soak my beans over night (old habits are hard to break) and I used fresh garlic and onion. I’m going to add a bit of molasses and vinegar at the very end after the beans are tender.
There is nothing better than the smell of hot food on the stove when it’s so bitterly cold outside.
That sounds wonderful, I love everything about what you just said!!!! Stay warm and enjoy your soup! 🙂
This is a great soup for cold midwestern nights. I used my slow cooker. For the ham I used Burger’s Smokehouse brand ham steak which was pretty lean and perfect for a fine dice. I also added a smoked ham shank. 6 hours on high and the beans were perfect. I hit the soup with an immersion blender for a little bit; the soup was thick, super creamy, but still had some whole beans. I added carrots 45 minutes before the finish. Nice crunch, but when I make this soup again I’ll skip them. We just aren’t huge carrot lovers. This soup really has some nice subtle flavors that really mesh well together.
I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed the soup Tim!! I agree that it’s perfect for the cold weather right now, thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts on the recipe and leave a review, it’s much appreciated! -Stephanie