Slow Cooker 15 Bean Soup with Ham
119 Comments Jan 01, 2022
Updated Apr 22, 2024
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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!
Table of Contents
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.
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!
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.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Use a lean ham in this recipe, and you have healthy soup. It is full of vegetables and even healthy kale.
Drain off part of the liquid, then take a cup of beans out and smash, add back into the soup.
Yes! 15 bean soup freezes very well. Add to airtight containers or freezer ziplock bags. Freeze for up to three months.
There is no need to soak the beans before cooking. Though, be sure to cook them on high to ensure they cook up nicely.
15 ham and bean soup is excellent with biscuits, garlic bread, or cornbread. It’s a very hearty complete meal.
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!
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.
Add two teaspoons of chili powder to this recipe at the beginning of cooking.
Yes! The cajun 15 Bean Soup mix works well with this recipe.
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.
Slow Cooker 15 Bean Soup Recipe
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
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!
How to Video
Sarah’s Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
This recipe is sponsored by Hurst’s® HamBeens® Cajun 15 Bean Soup® though all opinions are mine alone.
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?
If I’m remembering correctly, the brand said if you cook on high, there is no issue.
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.
So easy! Love this recipe!! It’s a hit with sweet jalapeño cornbread.
can I substitute baby spinach for the kale?
Yes, that works well.
What do you think about subbing a cabbage instead kale?
You could! I would add much earlier, though, probably when 1.5 hours are left.
I love this. No lengthy why’s and how’s. Straight forward directions -easy to read. Easy to follow!!! Thanks!
Can I cut up cooked chicken thighs in lieu of the ham?
Yes!
What exactly are the ingredients in the ham seasoning packet? I’m making the 15 bean soup as a meatless and low sodium dish so I obviously have concerns. I’m usually plant-based apple sage smoked sausage for heft and added flavor.
You can find that info here: https://hurstbeans.com/products/ham-beens-original-15-bean-soup. Their site also says that the packets contain no animal products on the FAQ page.
I’m making it now. We’ll see how it turns out.
Can I use ground beef
Yes, ground beef will work great!
How much water to add?
Sorry I can’t find it. I’m sure I’m overlooking it.
8 cups
Sarah, I’m making this 15-bean soup today, and I notice there’s no call for salt and pepper!? Is that in the seasoning packet?
tks!
Yes, there is plenty of salt in the packet. You can definitely add pepper!