By Becky Hardin
Updated Nov 14, 2025
Delicious and hearty, my Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup is simple to make and ready to serve in just 20 minutes. It’s one of my favorite quick and easy ways to warm up in cold weather. The pressure cooker helps draw out so much flavor, and it tastes like this soup has been simmering all day long.
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5-Star Review
“This soup was delicious and perfect for a cold night! Very tasty!” -Pamela
Easy Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup Recipe
When the temperatures drop, my body craves a piping hot bowl of ham and bean soup , but I don’t always have the time to watch pots simmer on the stovetop. That’s where my trusty pressure cooker comes in! This Instant Pot ham and bean soup is so quick and easy to make, and it’s loaded with fresh veggies and beans for one hearty and filling dish.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 tbsp cooking oil
- ▢ 2 carrots chopped (~ 1 cup)
- ▢ 2 ribs celery chopped (~1 cup)
- ▢ 1 onion chopped
- ▢ 2 cups chopped cooked ham
- ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
- ▢ 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- ▢ 3 15.5 oz. cans white beans such as Great Northern or Navy, drained and rinsed, or your favorite
- ▢ 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- ▢ 2 tsp white wine vinegar
- ▢ 1½ tsp poultry seasoning
- ▢ 1 tsp dried thyme
- ▢ ½ tsp kosher salt
- ▢ 1 bay leaf
- ▢ fresh parsley optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to the “sauté” function. When hot, add the olive oil and let it get hot. 2 tbsp cooking oil
- Add the chopped carrots, celery, and onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onion starts to soften, about 3-4 minutes. 2 carrots, 2 ribs celery, 1 onion
- Add the ham and garlic and continue cooking for another minute or two. 2 cups chopped cooked ham, 2 cloves garlic
- Add the chicken broth, beans, soy sauce, vinegar, poultry seasoning, thyme, salt, and bay leaf. 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 3 15.5 oz. cans white beans, 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce, 2 tsp white wine vinegar, 1½ tsp poultry seasoning, 1 tsp dried thyme, ½ tsp kosher salt, 1 bay leaf
- Press “cancel” to turn off the “sauté” function and use the “manual” and “+” and “-” buttons to set the time for 5 minutes (high pressure).
- Once the Instant Pot has beeped and the timer finishes, carefully turn the valve to let the pressure out.
- Carefully open the lid and remove the bay leaf.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, optional. fresh parsley
- Serve with cornbread or corn muffins. Best when served warm.
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Becky’s Tips
- Liquid smoke is also a great addition if you are looking for a smoky flavor . I add about ¼ tsp.
- For even more flavor , add the bone of your ham to the soup.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup Step by Step
Get the Instant Pot ready : Set the Instant Pot to the “sauté” function and once it heats up, add 2 tbsp of olive oil and let it heat up.
Sauté the vegetables: Add 2 chopped carrots, 2 ribs of celery, and 1 onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onion starts to soften. This usually takes me 3-4 minutes.
Add ham and garlic: Add 2 cups of chopped ham and 2 cloves of garlic, and continue cooking for another few minutes.
Add the seasonings : Add 6 cups of chicken broth, 3 cans (15.5 oz.) white beans, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tsp vinegar, 1½ tsp poultry seasoning, 1 tsp thyme, ½ tsp salt, and 1 bay leaf.
Cook the soup : Press “cancel” to turn off the “sauté” function and use the “manual” and “+” and “-” buttons to set the time for 5 minutes (high pressure).
Once the Instant Pot has beeped and the cooking process is done, carefully turn the valve to let the pressure out. Carefully open the lid and remove the bay leaf.
Garnish and serve : Garnish with fresh parsley, optional. Serve warm with cornbread or corn muffins.
How to Store
If you are making this ham and bean soup ahead of time, be sure to let it cool completely before storing it.
Store leftover Instant Pot ham and bean soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
I love to serve this quick and easy Instant Pot ham and bean soup with a chopped salad , or spinach salad with bacon . I also like to make skillet bread for dipping into my bowl!
More Instant Pot Soup Recipes to Try
Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe (5 Spice Beef Stew)
Instant Pot Potato Soup
Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup
Instant Pot Lasagna Soup
Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup Recipe
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- 2 carrots chopped (~ 1 cup)
- 2 ribs celery chopped (~1 cup)
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cups chopped cooked ham
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 15.5 oz. cans white beans such as Great Northern or Navy, drained and rinsed, or your favorite
- 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tsp white wine vinegar
- 1½ tsp poultry seasoning
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 bay leaf
- fresh parsley optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to the “sauté” function. When hot, add the olive oil and let it get hot. 2 tbsp cooking oil
- Add the chopped carrots, celery, and onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onion starts to soften, about 3-4 minutes. 2 carrots, 2 ribs celery, 1 onion
- Add the ham and garlic and continue cooking for another minute or two. 2 cups chopped cooked ham, 2 cloves garlic
- Add the chicken broth, beans, soy sauce, vinegar, poultry seasoning, thyme, salt, and bay leaf. 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 3 15.5 oz. cans white beans, 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce, 2 tsp white wine vinegar, 1½ tsp poultry seasoning, 1 tsp dried thyme, ½ tsp kosher salt, 1 bay leaf
- Press “cancel” to turn off the “sauté” function and use the “manual” and “+” and “-” buttons to set the time for 5 minutes (high pressure).
- Once the Instant Pot has beeped and the timer finishes, carefully turn the valve to let the pressure out.
- Carefully open the lid and remove the bay leaf.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, optional. fresh parsley
- Serve with cornbread or corn muffins. Best when served warm.
Notes
- Liquid smoke is also a great addition if you are looking for a smoky flavor . I add about ¼ tsp.
- For even more flavor , add the bone of your ham to the soup.
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
