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The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Soups » Slow Cooker 15 Bean Soup with Ham

Slow Cooker 15 Bean Soup with Ham

by Sarah Olson on January 1, 2022 | Updated January 3, 2023 98 Comments

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ham and bean soup in the slow cooker with kale

This recipe is sponsored by Hurst’s® HamBeens® 15 Bean Soup® though all opinions are mine alone.

Leftover Ham? Look no further than this recipe for Slow Cooker 15 Bean Soup with ham! This is a classic recipe with added kale to make it a complete meal! Add some garlic bread, and you are good to go!

ham and bean soup in the slow cooker with kale

This recipe uses some of that leftover ham from the holiday and turns it into a delicious soup along with Hurst’s Ham Beens 15 Bean Soup mix. The colors of this soup are beautiful, Christmas colors from the red tomatoes and the green kale. The soup turns out a bit creamy, with some of the beans breaking down into the broth after the long 6 hour cook time.

Suppose you have leftover turkey instead; head over to my Cajun 15 Bean Soup with Leftover Turkey recipe. Both of these soups transform the leftovers into something different flavor-wise and are both very comforting.

spilled bag of 15 bean soup on wooden table.

Ingredients

  • 15 bean Soup Mix – This mix is found in the same section of the store as the other dried beans, if you are unsure that your store carries them you can look up locations here.
  • Vegetables – Onions, carrots, celery and garlic flavor this 15 bean soup. Chopped Kale and diced tomatoes are added at the end of the cooking time.
  • Seasonings – Bay leaf, dried thyme, dried basil and the included ham seasoning packet that comes with the beans.
  • Lemon Juice – Lemon juice added at the end of the cooking time brightens up the flavor of the beans, try it!
15 bean soup in slow cooker with ham

Step-by-Step Directions

Step One – Rinse and sort beans, discarding any debris. Add the beans to the crockpot. Save the ham flavor packet for after the entire cooking time is up.

Step Two – Add ham, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, basil, thyme, and water. Stir. Add the bay leaf on top of the soup. 

Step Three- Cover and cook on HIGH for 6 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.

Step Four -After the cooking time, I add lemon juice, Italian diced tomatoes, and a few cups of chopped kale. I love the added kale in this recipe. The kale takes about 20 minutes to soften at the end of the cooking time of this recipe.

cooked 15 bean soup in slow cooker, ladle full of soup coming from slow cooker.

Recipe FAQs

Is this crockpot soup healthy?

Yes! Use a lean ham in this recipe, and you have healthy soup. It is full of vegetables and even healthy kale.

How can I thicken my soup?

Drain off part of the liquid, then take a cup of beans out and smash, add back into the soup.

Can this be frozen after cooking?

Yes! 15 bean soup freezes very well. Add to airtight containers or freezer ziplock bags. Freeze for up to three months.

Do I need to soak 15 bean soup mix?

There is no need to soak the beans before cooking. Though, be sure to cook them on high to ensure they cook up nicely.

What do I serve with this?

15 ham and bean soup is excellent with biscuits, garlic bread, or cornbread. It’s a very hearty complete meal.

Can I use a ham bone?

Yes! Use one large ham bone (or two small) in place of the diced ham in this recipe. If you use a ham bone, you will want to degrease the beans after cooking. Degrease the beans by laying a paper towel over the beans in the slow cooker, soaking up the grease. Discard the paper towel and serve!

Can I use chicken broth in 15 bean Soup with Ham?

You can use chicken broth in place of water for extra flavor if desired. You can even use four chicken bouillon cubes with the water if desired.

How can I spice this recipe up?

Add two teaspoons of chili powder to this recipe at the beginning of cooking.

Can I make it with a Cajun 15 bean Soup mix?

Yes! The cajun 15 Bean Soup mix works well with this recipe.

2 bowls of bean soup in white bowls.

I hope you give this recipe a try now or after Christmas with your leftover ham. What a great meal this is to have simmering away the day after the Christmas festivities. Hurst’s Hambeens has many more recipes like this one on their site, and you can find them here. I hope you have a great holiday, and let me know if you try this recipe.

15 bean soup in slow cooker with ham

Slow Cooker 15 Bean Soup Recipe

4.90 from 67 votes
15 bean soup made in the slow cooker along with ham. You can use leftover ham in this recipe.
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Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
Total Time: 6 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 236kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • 20 oz. Hurst’sⓇ HamBeensⓇ 15 Bean Soup mix (save ham flavor packet to add a the end of cooking time)
  • 2 cups diced ham (leftover ham works great!)
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery ribs, peeled and diced
  • 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
  • 2 tsp. dried basil
  • 1 tsp. dried thyme
  • 8 cups water or chicken broth
  • 1 bay leaf

Add these ingredients at the end:

  • 14.5 oz. can Italian flavored diced tomatoes
  • 3 cups chopped kale
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • Rinse and sort beans, discarding any debris. Add the beans to the slow cooker. Save the ham flavor packet for after the entire cooking time is up.
  • Add ham, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, basil, thyme and water. Stir. Add the bay leaf on top of the soup. 
  • Cover and cook on HIGH for 6 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
  • After the six hour time is up remove the bay leaf. Add the lemon juice, diced tomatoes and chopped kale. Stir. Replace the lid and cook on HIGH for 20 minutes more.
  • Add the ham flavor packet and stir once more. Serve and enjoy!
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How to Video:

Recipe Notes:

How can I thicken my soup?
Drain off part of the liquid, then take a cup of beans out and smash, add back into the soup.
Do I need to soak my beans?
There is no need to soak the beans before cooking. Though, be sure to cook them on high to insure they cook up nicely.
Can I use a ham hock?
Yes! Use one large ham bone (or two small) in place of diced ham in this recipe. If you use a ham bone, you will want to degrease the beans after cooking. Degrease the beans by laying a paper towel over the beans in the slow cooker, this will soak up the grease. Discard the paper towel and serve!
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Yes! 15 bean soup freezes very well. Add to airtight containers or freezer ziplock bags. Freeze for up three months.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 514mg | Potassium: 869mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 4246IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker

This recipe is sponsored by Hurst’s® HamBeens® Cajun 15 Bean Soup® though all opinions are mine alone.

More 15 Bean Soup Slow Cooker Recipes:

  • Slow Cooker Cajun 15 Bean Soup with Turkey
  • Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken 15 Bean Soup
  • Slow Cooker Pizza 15 Bean Soup
  • Slow Cooker Vegetarian Cajun 15 Bean Soup
  • Slow Cooker Taco 15 Bean Soup

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    Filed Under: 15 Bean Soup, Pork, Soups

    Comments

    1. James says

      December 5, 2022 at 11:49 am

      What temperature is high my crockpot has different temperatures

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        December 5, 2022 at 1:15 pm

        I’m not exactly sure since I don’t have that kind of slow cooker. Try searching on google for an exact answer.

        Reply
    2. Harriet Mahabir says

      October 30, 2022 at 10:46 am

      I am also adding kale. I am making it today. I will write a review after eating.

      Reply
    3. Randy Dame says

      October 24, 2022 at 11:15 am

      1 star
      This sounded okay until I saw kale in the recipe. Your out of your mind. This ruins the bean soup.
      If I could give negative stars I’d give it 20. This recipe sucks.
      Never ever make this with kale.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        October 24, 2022 at 12:43 pm

        If you don’t like kale, leave it out.

        Reply
        • Travis Davis says

          October 29, 2022 at 10:09 am

          Kale is a good idea to me. I’ll be adding it at the end of slow cooking it today.

        • Tim says

          February 13, 2023 at 10:43 am

          Ignore Randy, he’s a troll.

    4. Brittny says

      September 21, 2022 at 10:35 am

      I’m excited to try this tomorrow after soaking my beans tonight! Do you have to pick out the kidney beans, or boil them before putting into the slow cooker? I’ve read that kidney beans have to be boiled prior to slow cooking because they can make you sick because of the slow cooker doesn’t kill the lectin. Any issues with that?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        September 21, 2022 at 9:42 pm

        If I’m remembering correctly, the brand said if you cook on high, there is no issue.

        Reply
        • Sarah Olson says

          September 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm

          I went and read my emails from the brand, and they said the issue is with undercooked/raw kidney beans. As long as you cook them to soft, they will be fine.

    5. Anonymous says

      September 12, 2022 at 6:22 am

      So easy! Love this recipe!! It’s a hit with sweet jalapeño cornbread.

      Reply
    6. Kel says

      August 5, 2022 at 9:47 pm

      can I substitute baby spinach for the kale?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        August 5, 2022 at 10:21 pm

        Yes, that works well.

        Reply
        • Julie says

          October 2, 2022 at 2:21 pm

          What do you think about subbing a cabbage instead kale?

        • Sarah Olson says

          October 2, 2022 at 3:24 pm

          You could! I would add much earlier, though, probably when 1.5 hours are left.

    7. Lezli says

      July 16, 2022 at 8:06 pm

      5 stars
      I love this. No lengthy why’s and how’s. Straight forward directions -easy to read. Easy to follow!!! Thanks!

      Reply
    8. Cammy says

      May 18, 2022 at 1:05 pm

      Can I cut up cooked chicken thighs in lieu of the ham?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        May 18, 2022 at 2:24 pm

        Yes!

        Reply
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