Tender, white beans, ham, and veggies, cooked in a rich broth with herbs make a soup that’s hearty and satisfying. Slow Cooker Ham And White Bean Soup is a great, no-stress meal on its own, especially when the slow cooker does all the work for you!
When you serve this soup with warm Garlic Parmesan Rolls and a fresh salad, you’ve got an amazing dinner that the whole family will love.
In This Post
Ham And Potato Soup: A Family Favorite
According to those who know, that would be my family; this is one of the best soups I’ve ever made. Really? Not that I’m ungrateful or anything, but this dish came together so quickly that I hardly thought it’d be in the “best ever” category. The incredible part of the recipe is that it’s made with leftovers and simple pantry ingredients. And…these two combined bring big flavor with just a little bit of work, and it’s all done in the slow cooker!
This recipe is even easier with the right equipment! Discover my top slow cooker recommendations and make your cooking effortless.
Ingredients For Ham And White Bean Soup
- Dried Great Northern Beans or White Navy Beans – no need to soak or pre-cook beans for this recipe.
- Cooked Ham – I like to use leftover Brown Sugar Mustard Ham.
- Chicken Broth – or chicken stock.
- Carrots – washed, cut into round. You can also add celery.
- Onion – chopped, Garlic Cloves – minced.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Kosher Salt, Dried Thyme (oregano, parsley, or bay leaf can also be used,) Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes (this combination is also used for Roasted Cabbage Soup.)
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and measurements.
What Type Of Ham Do You Use For White Bean And Ham Soup?
One of the best things about this recipe is that it uses up leftover holiday ham. I love turning Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham or Honey Baked Ham into a second main dish like this delicious soup. My tip is to pull the ham off the bone and chop it for the soup. You can also add the whole leftover ham bone to the crock pot if you want.
If leftovers are unavailable, you can use ham steak or a ham hock. Both work great in this recipe.
How To Make Crock Pot Ham And White Bean Soup
- Place the beans, ham, stock, and water in the Crock Pot.
- Heat the olive oil in a small skillet. Add the onions, carrots, garlic and cook until tender. Add the salt, pepper and thyme. Stir and cook for 1 minute. Add all ingredients to the Crock Pot. Place the lid on and set to cook on LOW/7-8 HOURS or on HIGH/6 HOURS.
- When done, I like to serve it hot with a dollop of sour cream and hot sauce.
People Often Ask
Start by sorting through the beans and picking out any that do not have a uniform shape or any pebbles. Next, rinse the beans and add them to the soup.
Yes, you can. This white bean and ham soup with canned beans is easy and inexpensive. Make sure to drain and rinse the beans before using.
You can thicken the soup by mashing some of the beans and carrots with a potato masher for a creamy texture. You can also remove about a cup of the ingredients, blend with an immersion blender, and then stir back into the soup to add thickness.
Storage And Reheating Tips
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Reheat the soup on the stovetop until it is warmed through.
This soup makes a terrific make-ahead freezer meal. Store the soup in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge, reheat in the Crock Pot or on the stovetop, then serve.
What To Serve With Ham And Bean Soup
Here are a few of my favorite ways to serve this wholesome, comforting slow cooker soup recipe:
- Salads: Tomato Cucumber Salad, Everyday Green Salad, Spinach Pear Fall Salad, Fresh Tomato Salad
- Bread: Green Chili Cheese Cornbread, Creamed Corn Cornbread Muffins, Garlic Parmesan Skillet Rolls, Pepperoni Cheese Pull-Apart Bread, Easy Beer Bread.
- Toppings: Pickled Red Onions, Avocado Salsa, Pickled Corn
More Soup Recipes To Try
If you tried this Slow Cooker Ham And White Bean Soup Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 bag dried great Northern beans or white navy beans I use Goya brand
- 2 cups chopped ham (leftover or deli sliced)
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- 2 cups water
- 1 medium yellow onion – chopped
- 2 carrots – chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
- 2 cloves garlic – grated I use a microplane
Instructions
- Place beans, ham, stock and water in crockpot.
- Heat olive oil in a small skillet. Add onions, carrots, garlic and cook until tender. Add salt, pepper and thyme. Stir and cook for 1 minute. Add all ingredients to crock pot. Place lid on and set to cook on LOW/7-8 HOURS, or on HIGH/6 HOURS.
- When done, I like to serve with a dollop of sour cream and hot sauce.
Notes
- Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Reheat the soup on the stovetop until it is warmed through.
- This soup makes a terrific make-ahead freezer meal. Store the soup in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge, reheat in the Crock Pot or on the stove top then serve.
- You can thicken the soup by mashing some of the beans and carrots with a potato masher for a creamy texture. You can also remove about a cup of the ingredients, blend with an immersion blender, and then stir back into the soup to add thickness.
Nutrition
Want To Know More About Slow Cooking?
If you are new to cooking with a Crock Pot or just don’t know where to start, I’ve got something to help. I’ve put together a helpful guide with tips and recipes to get you using a slow cooker like a pro!
Donya's Top Ten Summer Recipes!
Steal my favorites for a done-for-you menu that packs in the flavor
You said navy beans in the blog but great northern in the recipe itself. Which is it? They are different. Great northern are larger and cook up much softer than navy beans. Thanks.
Sorry Billie for the confusion.
I use the Goya, Great Northern Beans. They come in a bag and can be found where the dried beans are sold in the grocery.
Thanks!
~Donya
Hi — Would diced Country Ham work in this? Or would it be too salty with the Chicken Stock?
Thanks…
Hey Joe! I think country ham would be too salty. You can use ham steak like you get in the grocery store. Just dice it up. I hope this helps!
~Donya
Yes, it does help a lot — THANKS!
Mmm I love ham and beans and this looks perfect for this time of year!
OOps, that’s 2 tsp Italian Seasoning Herbs! Sorry, fat fingers.
This is a favorite recipe of my sister Deb and I, It also freezes well, which is good because this recipe makes a lot. Don’t leave out the red pepper flakes or the garlic, that’s what gives this recipe a kick. As a suggestion, I usually use 2 tsp of Herbes de Provence instead of the separate herbs (or if you prefer use 1 tsp Italian Seasoning Herbs). Whatever way this stuff is addictive. And if you’re in a hurry, just rinse and dump a can of cannelini or great northern beans instead of the LONG cooking method!
Do you need to soak the beans overnight?
I do not Mary. Make sure you use the small beans though. They cook beautifully without soaking every single time. Thanks for stopping by and please let me know how you like the recipe.
XO,
~Donya
It looks good Donya . Can”t wait to make it
Thanks Maddy! Hope you like it.
XO,
~Donya
In the slow cooker right now. We will enjoy this with cornbread tonight.. Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe.
WOW! You are so welcome, Christine. Thank you for sharing and I am so thankful you like this recipe. Keeping on coming back to hang out with us…it’s always more fun with friends.
Have a great weekend,
XO,
~Donya
I am going to make this this weekend, it sounds so good, i was going to make lima beans and ham but this looks so much bettet
Awesome, Jodi! I think you’ll really like it. Thank you so much for stopping by A Southern Soul. I hope you’ll keep coming back.
XO,
~Donya
Thank you for a recipe that’ll get rid of the rest of this Christmas ham. Looks yummy. Good meal also for right now since we’re going through a freeze down here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Happy New Year!
Girl, I’m right there with you! It’s 29 here right now and this soup is just what’s needed. I hope you like the recipe. My guys loved it and my son actually ate it for breakfast the day after making it! Have a great 2018, Pamela!
XO,
~Donya