How to Make Ham and Bean Soup: 10 Cozy Recipes to Try This Week
There’s something about a big pot of ham and bean soup that just feels like home. If you’ve been wondering how to make ham and bean soup that’s genuinely hearty and full of flavor, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re working through leftover holiday ham or you picked up a ham hock specifically for this purpose, these soups are the kind of no-fuss, deeply satisfying meals that keep you going back for seconds. And the best part? Most of them practically cook themselves.
- A collection of 10 ham and bean soup recipes covering stovetop, slow cooker, and Instant Pot methods — there’s something here for every schedule.
- From a 4-hour crockpot version to a smoky German split pea stew, these are the cozy, budget-friendly soups you’ll make all winter long.
- Whether you’re using leftover holiday ham or starting from scratch, these hearty soups are simple, satisfying, and practically cook themselves.
From slow cooker versions you can set before work to a smoky German-style stew that’ll make you feel like you’re at a European farmhouse table, this collection has a ham and bean soup for every taste, schedule, and pantry situation. Let’s get into it.
Table of Contents
Reasons You’ll Love These Recipes
- Leftover ham? No problem. Nearly every recipe here works beautifully with leftover ham from a holiday dinner, making these soups a fantastic way to stretch your grocery budget.
- Budget-friendly and filling. Beans are one of the most affordable proteins around, and when paired with ham, they create a soup that’s genuinely satisfying without the hefty price tag.
- Something for every cook. Whether you prefer the stovetop, slow cooker, or Instant Pot, this roundup covers all three — so you can pick the method that fits your day.
- Make-ahead magic. Ham and bean soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together, making it a perfect meal prep pick.
Don’t Skip the Soak (Or Do — It’s Up to You!)
If you’re using dried beans, soaking them overnight softens them and cuts down on cooking time significantly. That said, several of these recipes skip the soak entirely — especially Instant Pot versions, which can handle unsoaked dried beans just fine. If you’re short on time, canned beans are always a solid shortcut, just rinse them well before adding to your pot.
Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soups
The slow cooker is basically made for ham and bean soup. Toss everything in, walk away, and come home to a pot of something incredible. These are the “set it and forget it” recipes you’ll make on repeat all winter long.
- Crockpot Ham and Bean Soup: This is the one to bookmark — made with dried Great Northern beans and leftover ham, it’s a hearty, no-fuss soup that’s ready in 4 hours with just 15 minutes of prep. It’s the ultimate “toss and go” meal that practically cooks itself.
- Slow Cooker Bean Soup with Ham, Spinach, and Thyme: This slow cooker version brings some green goodness into the mix with spinach and thyme, creating a well-rounded, aromatic soup that feels a little bit fancy for such little effort.
- Ham Bone Soup: A real standout — you can make it on the stovetop, in the slow cooker, or in the Instant Pot, and using a ham bone creates an incredibly rich, collagen-packed broth that you simply can’t replicate with pre-cut ham alone.
Stovetop Ham and Bean Soups
For those who love the hands-on approach, stovetop ham and bean soup gives you full control over flavor and texture. You can adjust the seasoning as you go, thicken the broth to your liking, and have dinner on the table in well under an hour if you use canned beans.
- Navy Bean Soup with Ham: A classic through and through — packed with tender navy beans, smoky ham, and a rich broth that develops beautifully on the stovetop.
- Hearty Stovetop Navy Bean and Ham Soup: A no-fuss stovetop version that’s as straightforward as it is satisfying, with navy beans and ham coming together in a deeply flavorful broth that’s perfect for cold evenings.
- Ham and White Bean Chowder: This one leans into chowder territory — creamier and thicker, with white beans and ham in a luscious, comforting base that feels extra indulgent on a chilly night.
- Bean and Bacon Soup: A crowd-pleaser that swaps in smoky bacon alongside the beans for an extra layer of savory, salty flavor that’ll have everyone asking for the recipe.
Instant Pot, Leftover Ham & International Variations
Sometimes you want a faster route to the finish line, or you want to take your ham and bean soup somewhere a little different. These recipes bring speed, creativity, and a bit of global inspiration to the bowl.
- Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup: This Instant Pot version gets dinner on the table fast — no overnight bean soak required. Pressure cooking coaxes all that smoky ham flavor into the broth in a fraction of the time.
- Easy Leftover Ham and Bean Soup: The perfect post-holiday solution — a simple, delicious soup built specifically around leftover ham so nothing goes to waste.
- German Style Smoked Gammon and Split Pea Stew: This German-inspired stew takes things in a wonderfully different direction with smoked gammon and split peas. It’s hearty, smoky, and rich in a way that feels like a proper European farmhouse meal.
Storing Ham and Bean Soup
- Storage: Ham and bean soup stores incredibly well, making it a great candidate for meal prep.
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The soup will thicken as it sits — just add a splash of broth when reheating to loosen it back up.
- Freezer: Ham and bean soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. If you’re planning to freeze it, hold off on adding any pasta or potatoes until you reheat, as those can become mushy after freezing.
- Reheating: Warm it up on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave individual portions in 90-second intervals until heated through. Add extra broth as needed.
Serving Suggestions
Ham and bean soup is hearty enough to stand alone, but it really shines with a side of homemade sweet cornbread — the slight sweetness is a perfect contrast to the savory, smoky soup. A slice of crusty bread or garlic toast works beautifully, too, for soaking up every last drop of broth.
If you’re on a soup kick and want to keep the cozy going, the Slow Cooker Ham, Potato, Corn, and Veggie Chowder is another fantastic way to use up leftover ham. For something completely different, the Copycat Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli scratches that same comforting bean soup itch, and the Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup is a lighter option packed with vegetables that pairs just as well with crusty bread.
FAQs
Great Northern beans and navy beans are the most popular choices because they hold their shape during long cooking times while becoming wonderfully creamy. Cannellini beans are a great substitute with a slightly nuttier flavor. Pinto beans work too if that’s what you have on hand.
Cubed leftover ham, diced ham steak, or even smoked ham hocks all work well. A ham bone adds extra richness to the broth, but you’ll still get a delicious soup without one. If you want to deepen the smoky flavor, a small amount of smoked paprika or a bay leaf can help.
For stovetop and slow cooker methods, soaking dried beans overnight helps them cook more evenly and reduces cooking time. For Instant Pot recipes, you can generally skip the soak. If you’re short on time, canned beans are a perfectly fine substitute — just rinse them first and reduce your cooking time accordingly.
The easiest method is to scoop out about a cup of cooked beans, mash them with a fork, and stir them back into the pot. This naturally thickens the broth without adding any flour or cornstarch. You can also use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup for a creamier texture.
Yes, and it’s actually a great idea. The flavors develop even more overnight in the fridge. Make a big batch on Sunday, and you’ll have easy lunches and dinners sorted for the week. It reheats well on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Save This Post For Later!
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
