Hearty, rich and irresistibly comforting – meet Slow-Cooker Ham and Bean Soup.
toc
Growing up, an amazing go-to dinner for little ol’ me was something I liked to call “beanie weanies”. Now this genius title is not completely from my vast imagination, but more so an ode to Hormel Kid’s Kitchen Beans & Wieners. This was a microwave meal my parents used to buy for me at the store, and I would inhale it like it was nobody’s business. But sadly, Hormel Kid’s Kitchen is no longer in production, meaning my adult self can no longer enjoy beanie weanies. Or, can I? Ah, the suspense! Why yes, I have come across a recipe that allows me to be a kid once again and enjoy the flavors of beanie weanies. I’m talking about the irresistible, mouthwatering recipe of slow-cooker ham and bean soup.
This recipe is one of the ultra-comforting and healthy dinner ideas of the season. I’m not sure you guys are ready for this depth of flavor! Great Northern beans, a ham bone, carrots, celery, garlic…my stomach is singing just thinking about it! If you’re in need of an absolutely delicious, hearty, and wholesome dinner to make this cozy season, look no further than trying out slow-cooker ham and bean soup.
Is Slow-Cooker Ham And Bean Soup Healthy?
Beans are a great source of protein, and you will find no shortage of beans in this dish! Additionally, there is an abundance of potassium which is great for your heart, muscle, and bone health, as well as cell function. Vitamin A is also fruitful in this recipe, and you can enjoy a lovely dose of vitamin C, calcium, and iron too. All these benefits aside, this may not be a great meal for our friends on a low-carb diet as this soup has 41g of carbohydrates per serving. But as always, everything in moderation!
Where To Buy A Ham Bone?
If you don’t cook very much, or perhaps stick to boneless meats only, then you may be a little confused by the ham bone ingredient. While odd sounding, I promise it will not be difficult to find! If you’d like to utilize ham meat for another recipe, then you can simply purchase a bone-in ham from your local grocery store. Or, sometimes stores or butchers will sell ham bones solo, which would be less time-consuming when preparing this dish.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound dried Great Northern beans, rinsed
- 1 large ham bone or ham hock
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
Assemble
Combine beans, ham bone, vegetables, and seasonings in slow cooker.
Cook
Slow cook on low for 8 hours until beans are tender.
Finish
Remove ham bone, shred meat, return to soup, and serve.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
Leftover soup is one of my greatest joys in the autumn season, and thankfully this slow-cooker ham and bean soup can be stored and enjoyed for up to a week. To do so, simply store your leftovers in an airtight container in your fridge. For longer storage, this recipe freezes well for up to 2 months, so just make sure to use a freezer-safe, airtight container. I like to use Souper Cubes!
For this recipe, I recommend using low-sodium chicken broth as it allows you to control the saltiness of your soup better. Remember folks: you can always add more salt, but taking salt away is a challenge!
If you can’t seem to find Great Northern beans in your local grocery, you can opt for a mix of pinto beans, chickpeas, and/or lima beans for a similar flavor! And for a quick budget-friendly tip: buy dried beans. While they do take longer as you have to soak them, the price for the amount of beans you get is hard to beat!
Serving Suggestions
What is soup’s best friend? Perhaps a nice, crusty slice of bread. And that is exactly what I would love to dip into slow-cooker ham and bean soup. But you could also have a side of Sweet Cornbread Casserole, a refreshing Cucumber Salad, or some Roasted Red Potatoes. Wow, I’m jealous. I may have to make some more delectable slow-cooker ham and bean soup now, too!
Slow-Cooker Ham and Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried Great Northern beans rinsed
- 1 large ham bone or ham hock
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
-
Place the rinsed beans, ham bone, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic into the slow cooker.
-
Pour the chicken broth over the ingredients. Add the bay leaf and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
-
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the beans are tender. Remove the ham bone, shred any remaining meat, and return the meat to the soup. Discard the bay leaf before serving.
Nutrition
The post Slow-Cooker Ham and Bean Soup appeared first on Food Faith Fitness.
