Slow Cooker Ham Bean Soup (Printable)

Hearty slow cooker soup with tender ham, creamy beans, and flavorful vegetables for any season.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound cooked ham, diced

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
03 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Beans & Legumes

06 - 2 cans (15 ounces each) cannellini or great northern beans, drained and rinsed

→ Liquids

07 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Spices & Seasonings

08 - 1 bay leaf
09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1 teaspoon dried parsley
11 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
12 - Salt to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Add diced ham, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and drained beans to the slow cooker. Pour in chicken broth and add bay leaf, thyme, parsley, and black pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
02 - Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 7 hours until vegetables are tender and flavors have melded together.
03 - Remove the bay leaf from the soup. Taste and adjust salt as needed to reach desired seasoning level.
04 - Ladle hot soup into bowls and serve with crusty bread or crackers if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It practically cooks itself while you handle the rest of your day, no stirring or babysitting required.
  • The creamy beans and tender ham create a soup that feels substantial enough for dinner but light enough you won't feel sluggish afterward.
02 -
  • If you forget to remove the bay leaf and someone finds it, they'll remember it—so set a phone reminder or place it where you'll see it clearly.
  • Don't skip rinsing the canned beans or your soup will end up cloudy and starchy instead of clear and silky.
03 -
  • Cut your vegetables slightly larger than you think you need because they break down more than you'd expect during seven hours of slow cooking.
  • If you're using a smoked ham hock instead of pre-cooked diced ham, add it at the beginning and cook the full time—the meat will become tender enough to shred easily.
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