Slow Cooker Ham and Beans


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

This recipe for the best Slow Cooker Ham and Beans is creamy and delicious. Great for leftover ham, just add veggies broth and seasonings.

Bean soups are one of the best things to make in the crockpot, when we have leftover ham we make ham and beans, 15 bean soup or black-eyed peas.

close up of ham and beans in slow cooker
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Are you a Ham and Bean soup fan? My family sure is. There is a little diner we go to that has Ham and Beans on the menu daily and I have to get it every time we go. You won’t believe how easy it is to make restaurant-quality ham and beans at home easily by throwing everything in your slow cooker and WITHOUT soaking the beans.

I use Hurst’s HamBeens Great Northern Beans with Ham Flavor. These beans are great quality, you can see that in my video below. The beans cook up big and tender.

Ingredients for ham and beans in crock pot raw.

This package of Great Northern Beans and many other bean mixes from Hurst’s Hambeens come with a ham flavor packet. It’s a little powdery mix that tastes like smokey ham.

One thing I have not mentioned yet on the blog about this little flavor packet is that it is vegetarian, so if you are not wanting real ham in your soups but want the flavor, you can get it! You can find where to buy these bean mixes here. I have found the most variety at Walmart in my area.

finished ham and beans in crockpot with thyme in the middle for garnish.

How to make Slow Cooker Ham and Beans:

You will need these ingredients:

Directions:

  • Sort through the beans and discard any debris. Place the beans in a colander and rinse in cold water. Add the beans to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
  • Add the diced ham, carrots, onion, celery, dried thyme and pepper with the beans in the slow cooker. Pour over the chicken broth. Wait to add the ham flavor packet.
  • Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 6-7 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
  • After the cooking time is up add the ham flavor packet, stir. Add salt if desired. Serve and enjoy!

Do I need to soak the beans?

No! this recipe works great without soaking. Be sure to cook on HIGH, and keep the lid on the entire time.

Can I use a ham hock?

  • Yes! You can use 1-2 ham hocks or shanks instead of diced ham.
  • Remove the ham hock after cooked and remove any meat, add to the slow cooker.
  • Degrease the soup by laying a paper towel over it and removing.
Finished ham and beans in crockpot, very creamy

Can I use chicken bouillon cubes instead of chicken broth?

  • Yes! I use 4-5 chicken bouillon cubes when I forget to buy chicken broth.
  • Just unwrap and throw them in with water (8 cups), they will dissolve and dissipate in the soup.

How can I make this into a freezer meal?

  • Place raw veggies, diced ham, dried thyme and pepper into a ziplock bag. Don’t add the beans or chicken broth, leave those in your pantry until you are ready to use your frozen meal.
  • Freeze the veggies, ham and seasonings for up to a month.
  • When ready to cook, add the contents of the freezer bag, beans, and pour in 8 cups of chicken broth into the slow cooker. Wait to add the ham packet.
  • Cook as the normal recipe states, add ham flavor packet at end of cooking time.
blue hurst\'s hambeens bowl with ham and beans in it.

More dried bean recipes here on The Magical Slow Cooker:

Christmas is just around the corner and I know a lot of us will have leftover ham and this recipe is perfect for that. Be sure to save this recipe for later and enjoy a big pot of Ham and Bean Soup with your family. If you love this recipe you can find more like it over at Hurst’s HamBeens.

Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

white beans and ham soup in slow cooker with cornbread on the side.

Slow Cooker Ham and Beans

4.45 from 29 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 12
Ham and Beans cooked in the slow cooker with thyme, onions and carrots.

Ingredients 
 

  • 20 oz. pkg. Hurst’s Hambeens Great Northern Beans with Ham flavoring, (save the ham flavor packet for the end of the cooking time)
  • 2 cups diced ham, leftover ham works great
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 3 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 3 celery ribs, diced
  • 2 tsp. dried thyme
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • salt to taste

Instructions 

  • Place the beans in a colander and sort out any debris, rinse beans in cold water and add to the slow cooker.
  • Add the ham, onion, carrots, celery, thyme, pepper and chicken broth, stir. Wait to add the ham flavor packet.
  • Cover and cook on HIGH for 6-7 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
  • When the cooking time is done, add the ham flavor packet and stir. Add salt to taste. Serve and enjoy!

How to Video

Sarah’s Notes

Do I need to soak the beans?
No! These bean cook up perfectly WITHOUT soaking. Cook on HIGH and don’t open the lid during the cooking time.
Can I use a ham hock or ham shank?
  • Yes! Use 1-2 ham hocks or shanks instead of diced ham.
  • Shred the meat at the end of the cooking time, add to the soup.
  • Degrease the soup by laying a paper towel over the soup and lifting quickly.
Can I use chicken bouillon cubes instead of chicken broth?
  • Yes! Use 4-5 chicken bouillon cubes instead of chicken broth (and 8 cups of water).
  • Unwrap and throw in, they will dissolve and dissipate on their own.
How can I make this into a freezer meal?
  • Place raw veggies, diced ham, dried thyme and pepper into a ziplock bag. Don’t add the beans or chicken broth, leave those in your pantry until ready to use. Freeze the veggies, ham and seasonings for up to a month.
  • When ready to cook, add the contents of the freezer bag, beans, and pour in 8 cups of chicken broth into the slow cooker. Wait to add the ham packet.
  • Cook as the normal recipe states, add ham flavor packet at end of cooking time.

Nutrition

Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 927mg | Potassium: 859mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2599IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 24mg | 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? Leave a comment below!

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

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155 Comments

  1. Lisa says:

    5 stars
    Made this tonight with leftover Christmas ham. Ingredients are simple and most probably have on hand. Added a little shredded Parmesan on top. Itโ€™s a yes for me.