Slow Cooker Ham and Hearty Bean Soup

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 8 hours
🍽 Serves: 6
★★★★★
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This Slow Cooker Ham and Hearty Bean Soup is a comforting, one-pot meal perfect for chilly days. Loaded with savory ham and a trio of beans, it's a filling dish that warms you from the inside out.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Ham and Hearty Bean Soup

The smoked ham hock infuses the soup with rich, smoky flavors while the diced ham adds a meaty bite. We use white beans, black beans, and pinto beans for a hearty texture and diverse flavor profile. Low-sodium chicken broth forms the savory base of the soup. A classic mirepoix of diced carrots, celery, and onion provides depth, while garlic adds aromatic notes. Dried thyme and oregano contribute earthy undertones, and bay leaves enhance the overall aroma. A hint of apple cider vinegar brightens up the flavors at the end. Finally, fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness.

Tips & Tricks

  • For a thicker soup, mash some beans with the back of a spoon before serving.
  • If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
  • For a vegetarian version, skip the ham and use vegetable broth instead.

Serving Suggestions

This soup pairs beautifully with a slice of crusty bread or a warm, buttery cornbread. For a touch of freshness, serve it alongside a simple green salad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use dried beans instead of canned?
Yes, but you'll need to soak them overnight and extend the cooking time.
How long will leftovers keep?
Stored in an airtight container, this soup will last for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

Slow Cooker Ham and Hearty Bean Soup Recipe Walkthrough

Start by heating olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Toss in the diced onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté them until they're softened and slightly translucent, which usually takes around 5-7 minutes.

Transfer these sautéed veggies into your slow cooker. This extra step of sautéing brings out the sweetness of the vegetables, making the soup even more flavorful.

Now, add the ham hock, diced ham, drained beans, and chicken broth to the slow cooker. Sprinkle in the thyme, oregano, and tuck in the bay leaves. Give everything a good stir so that all the ingredients are well combined.

Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. This long, slow cooking process is what allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the beans to become tender.

Once cooking is complete, remove the ham hock. Shred any meat from the bone and return it to the pot. Stir in the apple cider vinegar and season with salt and pepper according to your taste.

Garnish with fresh parsley just before serving to add a fresh finish to your hearty soup.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Effortless preparation: Set it and forget it!
  • Rich, smoky flavor from the ham hock.
  • Loaded with plant-based protein from three types of beans.
  • Warm and satisfying, ideal for meal prep.

Ingredients

1 lb smoked ham hock
1 cup diced ham
1 can (15 oz) white beans, drained
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained
1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced celery
1 cup diced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried oregano
2 bay leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onions, garlic, carrots, and celery until softened.
2. Transfer the sautéed vegetables to the slow cooker.
3. Add the ham hock, diced ham, drained beans, chicken broth, thyme, oregano, and bay leaves to the slow cooker.
4. Stir well to combine and cover with the lid.
5. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the beans are tender and the flavors meld.
6. Remove the ham hock, shred any meat, and return it to the soup.
7. Stir in apple cider vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

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