Name: Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 8 h
Total time: 8 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups dried navy beans, rinsed and soaked overnight; 1 1/2 cups cooked ham, diced; 1 ham bone (optional for extra flavor); 1 small onion, chopped; 2 carrots, sliced; 2 celery stalks, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 6 cups chicken broth; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1 bay leaf; Salt to taste; 2 tablespoons chopped parsley for garnish

Description

Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup is a hearty and comforting dish featuring tender navy beans, smoky diced ham, and aromatic vegetables simmered slowly to develop a rich, flavorful broth perfect for a warming meal.

Ingredients

Beans and Meat

2 cups dried navy beans, rinsed and soaked overnight
1 1/2 cups cooked ham, diced
1 ham bone (optional for extra flavor)

Vegetables and Aromatics

1 small onion, chopped
2 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids and Seasonings

6 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 bay leaf
Salt to taste

Garnish

2 tablespoons chopped parsley for garnish

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Instructions

Prepare the Beans: Rinse the navy beans thoroughly and soak them overnight in water. This softens the beans and reduces cooking time. Drain the beans before adding to the slow cooker.
Combine Ingredients: Place the soaked and drained beans, diced ham, ham bone (if using), chopped onion, sliced carrots, chopped celery, and minced garlic into the slow cooker.
Add Liquids and Seasoning: Pour in the chicken broth, then sprinkle in the dried thyme, black pepper, and add the bay leaf to the mixture.
Cook the Soup: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook the soup on low heat for 7 to 8 hours, or until the beans are tender and all flavors are well blended.
Finish the Soup: Remove and discard the ham bone and bay leaf from the soup. Season with salt as needed to taste, stirring well to combine.
Garnish and Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve warm for the best flavor and comfort.

Notes

If you do not have a ham bone, add additional diced ham to enhance the flavor.
The soup naturally thickens as the beans cook; no thickening agents are needed.
Soaking the beans overnight helps reduce cooking time and improves digestibility.
For a vegetarian version, omit the ham and use vegetable broth, but note this will alter the traditional flavor.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Category: Soup
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American