An incredibly EASY and comforting soup that can be made with leftover holiday ham or deli ham! Your slow cooker does all the work to meld the flavors together. OR you can also make this on the stove top in 30 minutes!
Prep Time5 minutesmins
Cook Time2 hourshrs
Total Time2 hourshrs5 minutesmins
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: best ham and bean soup, Crockpot ham and bean soup, easy ham and bean soup, homemade ham and bean soup, how to make ham and bean soup, leftover ham soup, slow cooker ham and bean soup, what to make with leftover ham, white bean and ham soup
Servings: 8
Calories: 693kcal
Author: Averie Sunshine
Ingredients
1tablespoonunsalted butterolive oil may be subsituted
1large white or yellow oniondiced small
1carrotpeeled, trimmed, and sliced thinly
3 to 5clovesgarlicfinely minced
2or 3 fresh thyme sprigs OR 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
three 15-ounce cans cannellini or great northern beansdrained and rinsed (if possible I use low or no-salt added)
4cupschicken or vegetable stockI use low or no-salt added
1poundham*cubed (about 3 cups) - See Notes
1teaspoonsmoked paprikaregular paprika may be substituted although smoked adds a great touch
Instructions
Slow Cooker Instructions
To a large skillet, add the butter, onion, and saute over medium-high heat for 5 minutes; stir intermittently.
Transfer the onion, plus all remaining ingredients to at least a 7 to 8-quart slow cooker.
Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours and serve.
Stovetop Instructions
To a large Dutch oven or stockpot. add the butter, onion, and saute over medium-high heat for 5 minutes; stir intermittently.
Add the carrot and saute for another 2 to 3 minutes, stir intermittently.
Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute, stirring nearly constantly.
Add all the remaining ingredients, bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat to medium-low or low, and simmer for approximately 20 minutes and serve.
Notes
*The soup is great with leftover ham that you cube. If you don’t have any leftover ham, don’t worry. Pick up a pound of thick-sliced ham from your grocery store’s deli and cube it.For either version - Soup is excellent served with freshly shaved or grated Parmesan cheese, hot pepper flakes if you like some heat, as well as cornbread or dinner rolls. Storage: Soup will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.