Ham and Bean Soup is one of my favorite leftover ham recipes.
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I could buy a whole ham just to make up batches of this super easy ham and bean soup in my Instant Pot or slow cooker. It’s so easy and is an inexpensive low prep meal for busy weeknight meals.
It has a few simple ingredients that most of us already have in our pantries and takes away the stress of busy weeknight meals – especially because we can throw it together and walk away to deal with other evening responsibilities – like talking with our kids about their day or prepping breakfast or lunches for the next day.
Filled with ham and beans, this soup is a nice hearty way to end a long day. Just throw it in the Instant Pot a little over an hour before you want to eat or make it in the slow cooker overnight or all day. You will want to slow cook it for 10-12 hours.
Like I mentioned just above, ham and bean soup calls for just a few simple pantry ingredients. To make it you need ham, great northern beans (dried or canned), carrots, onion, thyme, bay leaf, pepper, and optional salt. Wanna know a secret? You don’t even need to soak the beans. WIN!
Ham and Bean Soup
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil (only for Instant Pot recipe)
- 1 medium – large onion, chopped (size between a hard ball and a softball)
- 1 lb. ham, chopped
- 1/2 lb. (8 oz.) white or dried great northern beans | or 2 (14–16 oz.) cans
- 2 large carrots, chopped (approx. 1 inch diameter and 6–8 inches long)
- 1/2 tsp. thyme
- 1/2 tsp. salt (if using water in place of broth)
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 3 bay leaves (optional)
- 8 cups ham stock/water for dried beans | 6 cups for canned beans
Instructions
Instant Pot Directions:
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in IP on saute feature.
- Add onions and saute until soft.
- Add ham, beans, carrots, and seasonings.
- Add water.
- Switch IP to manual mode and put lid on, making sure vent is sealed.
- If using dried beans: Set for high pressure, 45 minutes. Walk away.
- If using canned beans: Set for high pressure, 5 minutes. Walk away.
- Once done, let set 10 minutes then do quick pressure release.
Slow Cooker Directions:
- Add all ingredients to the slow cooker except oil.
- Set to high for 2 hours then switch to low for addition 8-10 hours or just set on low for 10-12 hours.
Looking for more fantastic leftover ham recipes? This Ham and Lentil Soup is another favorite.
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Awesome! I love this recipe and have made it a number of times.