By Becky Hardin
Published Dec 23, 2022
Easy, hands-off, comforting meals are my go-to in the cozier seasons, and this Crockpot Ham and Bean Soup recipe checks all the boxes. It’s an easy weeknight dinner that’s equal parts filling and flavorful! Navy beans and ham are the stars of the show in this slow cooker soup, and they’re deliciously complimented by veggies, herbs, and a medley of mouthwatering seasonings.
Comfort food recipes are essential for my family when it comes to surviving snowy days, and this slow cooker version of the ham and bean soup is the definition of warm and cozy! The beans and ham keep us nice and full while the veggies add some nice nutrients. Oh, and the herbs and seasonings provide the most incredible, yet simple flavor!
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup
- Beans: I typically use navy beans for this soup, but other white beans (Great Northern, cannellini) work too.
- Ham: I recommend using ham steak, cut into bite-sized cubes to cook.
- Veggies: Celery, carrots, and onion add texture and flavor to the soup.
- Garlic: Minced garlic adds a kick of earthiness. Feel free to add more than 2 cloves if you like!
- Chicken Broth : This is the liquid base for the soup. It can be swapped for vegetable broth.
- Herbs & Spices: Fresh thyme and rosemary, smoked paprika, and salt and pepper create a simple flavor profile.
Tips for Success
- With this slow-cooking method, there’s no need to soak the dried beans first.
- Liquid smoke is a great addition if you are looking for a smokey flavor. I add about ¼ teaspoons when I add it in.
- If you can find a ham hock, feel free to use it in addition to or in place of the ham steak. Once the soup has cooked, remove the meat from the bone and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Return it to the soup and serve.
- To thicken crockpot ham and bean soup, you can add cornstarch or flour. Stir 3 tablespoons of cornstarch or flour into 1 cup of broth until smooth, then add it to the soup and continue cooking until the soup thickens.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover ham and bean soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in 30-second bursts in the microwave until warmed through.
Freeze the cooled soup in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
My family loves to eat this cozy Crock Pot ham and bean soup with Texas Roadhouse rolls or my sweet potato cornbread .
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 pound dried navy beans
- ▢ 14-16 ounces ham steak
- ▢ 1 onion diced
- ▢ 3 ribs celery diced
- ▢ 2 carrots diced
- ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
- ▢ 1 bay leaf
- ▢ 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- ▢ 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
- ▢ 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
- ▢ 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- ▢ ½ teaspoon ground black pepper or to taste
- ▢ 2 green onions green parts sliced
- ▢ 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- ▢ Parmesan cheese optional, for serving
Video
Instructions
- Rinse the beans and check for any debris. Add them to the crockpot. 1 pound dried navy beans
- Dice the ham into bite sized cubes and add to the crockpot. 14-16 ounces ham steak
- Add the remaining ingredients and stir. Cover and cook on high for 5-6 hours or until beans are tender. 1 onion, 3 ribs celery, 2 carrots, 2 cloves garlic, 1 bay leaf, 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Stir in the green onions and parsley. Ladle into bowls, top with optional Parmesan, and enjoy. 2 green onions, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, Parmesan cheese
Equipment
- Crockpot
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Ham and Bean Soup in a Crock Pot Step by Step
Rinse the Beans: Rinse 1 pound of dried navy beans and check for any debris. Then add them to the Crock Pot.
Add the Ham: Dice 14-16 ounces of ham steak into bite sized cubes, and add to the cooker.
Add the Remaining Ingredients: Add 1 diced onion, 3 ribs of diced celery, 2 diced carrots, 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 bay leaf, 6 cups of low-sodium chicken broth, 2 teaspoons of chopped fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon of chopped fresh rosemary, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper, then stir. Cover and cook on HIGH for 5-6 hours or until beans are tender.
Serve: Stir in 2 green onions and 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley. Then ladle ham and bean soup into bowls, top with optional Parmesan, and enjoy.
More Soup Recipes We Love!
Creamy Chicken Soup
Slow Cooker Witches Brew Stew
Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
Mom’s Tomato Soup with Cheesy Crostini
Crockpot Ham and Bean Soup Recipe
Equipment
- Crockpot
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried navy beans
- 14-16 ounces ham steak
- 1 onion diced
- 3 ribs celery diced
- 2 carrots diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper or to taste
- 2 green onions green parts sliced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- Parmesan cheese optional, for serving
Instructions
- Rinse the beans and check for any debris. Add them to the crockpot. 1 pound dried navy beans
- Dice the ham into bite sized cubes and add to the crockpot. 14-16 ounces ham steak
- Add the remaining ingredients and stir. Cover and cook on high for 5-6 hours or until beans are tender. 1 onion, 3 ribs celery, 2 carrots, 2 cloves garlic, 1 bay leaf, 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Stir in the green onions and parsley. Ladle into bowls, top with optional Parmesan, and enjoy. 2 green onions, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, Parmesan cheese
Video
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
