Slow Cooker Ham and White Bean Soup
Slow Cooker Ham and White Bean Soup is the perfect set-it-and-forget-it recipe. This soup combines white beans, tender ham, and a ham bone for a deep smoky flavor that only gets better with hours of slow simmering. The result is a delicious, filling, and nutritious meal, perfect for dinner any night of the week.
When the weather starts turning cooler slow cooker recipes can make the best dinner ideas. This dish is a total game-changer when it comes to cozy meals. With just leftover ham, and the bone, white beans, and a few other vegetables you’ll create a flavorful soup that practically cooks itself.
I could eat this dish any day of the year, including the middle of the summer. This Slow Cooker Ham and White Bean Soup hits the spot when it’s cold out – or not. If you enjoy beans in your soups, then you will also enjoy this Slow Cooker Tuscan White Bean Soup with Sausage or this quick 30-minute Two-Bean Tomato Soup. With any of these, you can add pasta, if you feel the urge.
Slow Cooker Ham and White Bean Soup
This ham and white bean soup recipe has just a little bit of prep work but you can totally do that the night before and then the next day it’s a matter of adding it all to the crock. By using canned white beans, you are saving a step by not having to soak dry beans overnight.
I saved some of the ham and the bone from this slow cooker spiral ham and kept it in the freezer until I was ready to use it. I’ve also made this without the bone and just used a few ham steaks. You can also ask your butcher for a ham bone or a couple of ham hocks to use in this recipe.
Tips, Tricks, and FAQs
- Chop vegetables the night before to save time.
- Before adding salt, taste the soup. The ham will add salt. I use unsalted stock for this reason.
- No ham bone? Use a few thick slices of your favorite deli ham chopped up.
- Canned Great Northern or Navy beans can be used in place of cannellini beans.
- Freeze leftovers in individual serving containers for easy lunches.
With a little prep ahead of time, this comforting meal will be ready to warm your soul.
A warm slice of homemade white bread or a side of cornbread completes the meal, turning this into a cozy feast.
Can I use other beans in this soup?
Yes, you can. Canned Great Northern or Navy beans would be delicious to use. Just be sure to rinse and drain the beans before adding with the rest of the ingredients.
If you want to use dried beans, the best way would be to add the beans to your slow cooker and cover with cold water. Leave them in there overnight. In the morning, drain the water add the ingredients and cook according to the recipe directions.
Can you Freeze the Leftover Soup?
Of course! I like to freeze the leftovers in individual serving containers so that we have them for lunches plus single servings defrost faster.
Other Slow Cooker Recipes to Enjoy
Give these easy meals a try. You may find new favorites to add to your dinner rotations.
Add a few sides or salads to complete the meals. Use leftovers to create new meals or freeze for dinner another night.
This recipe is a breeze and it’s the perfect pick-me-up, a simple and satisfying dish that will brighten even the dreariest of days.
Recommended Tools for Ham and White Bean Soup
You’ll need a slow cooker for this recipe and a few other tools.
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- 6 Qt. Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker
- cutting board
- knife
- measuring cups and spoons
- ladle
- soup bowls
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Ingredients
Simple ingredients are used in this recipe and easily found in your grocery stores.
- onion
- celery
- carrots
- garlic
- canned white cannellini beans
- ham bone with some meat left on it plus chopped ham pieces
- unsalted vegetable stock
- dried thyme
- bay leaves
- dried rosemary
- salt and pepper
How to Make Ham and White Bean Soup in the Slow Cooker
In your slow cooker, add the ham bone, chopped ham, garlic, onion, celery, carrots, beans, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, and vegetable stock. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Watch the salt, as it will most likely have enough from the ham. I use unsalted stock for this reason.
Give it a good stir, cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Remove the ham bone and discard.
Serve with cooked Ditalini pasta or egg noodles, if desired.
Ready to make this dish? Print or save this recipe and let your crock pot do the magic! This comforting recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or chilly days.
Printable Recipe Card
Slow Cooker Ham and White Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 3 cans white cannelini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 ham bone, with some meat left on it PLUS 3 cups chopped ham pieces
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 4 – 5 cups unsalted vegetable stock or broth
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In your slow cooker, add the ham bone, chopped ham, garlic, onion, celery, carrots, beans, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, and the vegetable stock. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Watch the salt, as the ham will most likely have enough salt to season the soup. Also, I use unsalted stock for this reason.
- Give the soup a good stir, cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Remove the ham bone and discard.
- Serve with cooked Ditalini pasta or egg noodles, if desired.
Notes
Nutritional Disclaimer
“Blogghetti” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
2024 Alphabet Challenge – “W”
In creating this post, I am sharing it in the 2024 Alphabet Challenge in which fellow foodies will share recipes with the letters of the alphabet. Twice a month we will bring you two letters – recipes that either start with the letter or the main food in the recipe starts with that letter. Today is the letter “W” and I’m sharing a delicious soup recipe. Here is what the others are sharing. To see all the recipes I have shared in this challenge, go here.
- Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Whole Wheat Waffles
- Culinary Cam: Roasted Watermelon Radish with Maple-Kissed Tahini Sauce
- Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Homemade Wonton Soup
- Food Lust People Love: Honey Walnut Brittle
- A Messy Kitchen: Whiskey Sriracha Caramel Corn
- Sneha’s Recipe: Cheesy Wafer Pav
- A Day in the Life on the Farm: Salted Caramel Whiskey Espresso Cocktail
- Mayuri’s Jikoni: Walnut Chocolate Tartlets
- Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Whiskey-Soaked Raisin Baked Stove Top Stuffing
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Enjoy!
Bean soup is one of my very favorites. This recipe sounds wonderful.
THank you Wendy!
My husband would adore this soup. He loves anything ham and could eat the same soup for days. Can’t wait to try this.
I could eat soup every day!
This reminds me of growing up, a staple after any holiday where we had ham, but never made it in the crockpot, love this!
Gotta use up those leftovers!
This makes me think of my Grammy. She loved bean soup, especially the leftovers.
Terri, I love that! I also love when meals remind me of my family
That’s one comforting bowl! Easy to make too!
The perfect use for that holiday ham bone! This soup is delicious!
Ham and bean soup is one of my favorite soups. I have not made it in the slow cooker and this sounds great!
How many people will this recipe serve? I don’t see the number anywhere. Looks delicious and I want to make it but want to be sure I’ll have enough. Thanks
It will serve 8-10 servings
Thanks for sharing this recipe again. I love when we have ham for the holidays because then I get to make bean soup with the bone.
It’s a good one to share over and over
I hardly ever make soup in my slow cooker and I don’t know why. Usually buy a boneless ham, will have to put a bone-in one on the list!
Give it a try! I make soup all winter in the slow cooker and freeze leftovers for lunches.
I buy a small bone-in ham specifically to make bean soup with the bone at least once each winter. I love the ease of your slow cooker version!
Thanks Stacy! I love the flavor from the bone in the soup!
Mmmmm, so comforting! And I really love cannelini beans.
That just sounds soooo delicious! Thanks for the tip for when you don’t have a ham bone!
You’re welcome!
I’m already excited for Christmas…and that leftover ham bone! This soup would be the perfect recipe to use it in!!!
I may or may not have bought a ham to make this before Christmas!
It’s the perfect season for some hearty soups. With ham in it, my hubby would love it.