Slow Cooker Ham and Beans


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There’s nothing better than a warm bowl of Slow Cooker Ham and Beans on a chilly day. This easy recipe turns leftover ham, veggies, broth, and simple seasonings into a comforting meal the whole family will love.

close up of ham and beans in slow cooker

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

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.

Key Ingredients

Here is what you need to make this EASY ham and beans recipe. The full recipe is in the recipe card below the images.

  • Hurst’s Hambeen’s Great Northern Beans – These beans can be found at most grocery store (especially Walmart) the pack of beans come with a ham flavoring packet. The ham 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!
  • Vegetables – Carrots, celery and onion which is a mirepoix and perfect for making soups in the crockpot.
  • Diced Ham – This is a great way to use leftover ham from the holidays.
  • Other Ingredients – Chicken broth, dried thyme, salt and pepper.

Ham and Beans Video

How to make Crockpot Ham and Beans

Step One: Place the beans in a colander and sort out any debris, rinse beans in cold water and add to the slow cooker.

Step Two: Add the ham, onion, carrots, celery, thyme, pepper and chicken broth, stir. Wait to add the ham flavor packet.

Step Three: Cover and cook on HIGH for 6-7 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.

Step Four: When the cooking time is done, add the ham flavor packet and stir. Add salt to taste. Serve and enjoy!

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

Variations

Here are some ways to change up this meal.

  • If you don’t have chicken broth on hand, you can use 4–5 chicken bouillon cubes instead. Just unwrap them and add them directly to the slow cooker with 8 cups of water — they’ll dissolve as the soup cooks.
  • For a different flavor, you can use 1–2 ham hocks or shanks instead of diced ham. After cooking, remove the hock, shred off any meat, and stir it back into the soup. To remove excess grease, lay a paper towel over the surface of the soup and lift it away.
  • Smoked sausage or cooked bacon are also great additions if you want even more flavor.
  • Want to change it up even more? Try using a 15-bean mix instead of Great Northern beans for a heartier and more colorful soup.
Finished ham and beans in crockpot, very creamy

How can I make this into a freezer meal?

This meal makes a GREAT freezer meal, here is how I do it:

  • 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.

Recipe FAQs

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.

How to store:

You can store the ham and beans in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for up to three months.

Can I use dried beans?

I recommend using dry beans for this recipe — they slowly soak up all the delicious flavors while they cook. Canned beans can break down too much in the crockpot and end up mushy.

close up of beans and ham soup in a slow cooker.

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
Crockpot Ham and Beans is a hearty and comforting meal made with tender Great Northern beans, savory ham, and simple vegetables slow cooked to perfection.
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How to Video

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!

Sarah’s Notes

Do I need to soak the beans?
No! These beans cook up perfectly WITHOUT soaking. Cook on HIGH and don’t open the lid during the cooking time.
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.
Variations
  • If you don’t have chicken broth on hand, you can use 4–5 chicken bouillon cubes instead. Just unwrap them and add them directly to the slow cooker with 8 cups of water — they’ll dissolve as the soup cooks.
  • For a different flavor, you can use 1–2 ham hocks or shanks instead of diced ham. After cooking, remove the hock, shred off any meat, and stir it back into the soup. To remove excess grease, lay a paper towel over the surface of the soup and lift it away.
  • Smoked sausage or cooked bacon are also great additions if you want even more flavor.
  • Want to change it up even more? Try using a 15-bean mix instead of Great Northern beans for a heartier and more colorful soup.

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!

More crockpot dried bean recipes

Here are more from scratch recipe to use up your dried beans.

  • Creamy and buttery with just the right amount of seasoning, these Slow Cooker Lima Beans make the perfect cozy side or main dish.
  • Tender pinto beans and flavorful ham come together for a comforting Southern-style dinner in this Slow Cooker Pinto Beans and Ham recipe.
  • Bold buffalo flavor, hearty beans, and tender chicken make this 15 Bean Buffalo Chicken Soup a fun and spicy twist on traditional slow cooker soups.
  • Bean soups are one of the best things to make in the crockpot, when we have leftover ham we make these ham and beans 15 bean soup or black-eyed peas.

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

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Recipe Rating




155 Comments

  1. Connie Herm says:

    5 stars
    These recipes look really good. Can’t wait to try them all!

  2. William Cortes says:

    5 stars
    For a widower you save my day. your recipes are so good and easy for me to make. I been writing all your recipes down cause I don’t have a printer but I am getting your book.

  3. Olivia says:

    5 stars
    I make this but use dried lima beans. I also add about 2 tablespoons of brown sugar with everything else. The sugar cuts any bitterness the beans may have. It doesn’t make the soup taste sweet. I saw this hint on the internet a long time ago and have been adding it to the slow cooker ever since.

  4. Michael George Duffield says:

    Cant get hambeans here in Spain what can i use instead ?

  5. Fred Belli says:

    5 stars
    I use smoked ham shanks. Great taste.

  6. Rick Burcher says:

    Can most slow cooked recipes be pressure cooked on soup or stew settings and add more favor as well as cutting the cooking time to about an hour?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes, I believe so!

  7. Kim says:

    Where can I find the Ham Flavor packet?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      It’s included in the mix.

      1. Debbie Cromer says:

        If you can’t find this brand of beans you could add the Goya ham seasoning packet to a pack of plain dried beans. The Goya products are located around the Mexican and Asian food in my local grocery store.

      2. Baltisraul says:

        To me, the Goya ham packets are far superior to what comes in any brand of dried beans you purchase. I always try to buy the Hurst beans when I can find them. Usually at Publix.

      3. Sylvia Fendley says:

        Recently, I have used the Goya ham packets but, I was disappointed .It does give the ham flavor I was expecting.

    2. Debbie. Cromer says:

      You can use Goya ham flavoring packet for the ham seasoning without the meat. In our grocery store it is aroind the Mexican and Asian foods. I live in a small town. Jope this helps.

  8. Sheila Bennewith says:

    That looks delicious would love to try make it but where would I buy the Beans we don’t have a Walmart we live in Carlisle Cumbria United Kingdom I do so love your recipes

    1. Linda says:

      Hello Sheila,
      My name is Linda and I live in Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA. I read your comment and wanted to tell you that you can use any kind of dried beans no matter the brand. I have made this recipe several times with just regular brand pintos and it came out great even without the seasoning packet. The hardest part about cooking this recipe is not peeking at it for the 7 hours it cooks. Smells fantastic and tastes just as good!

      1. Baltisraul says:

        Pinto beans and ham are great. I add my own pinto bean seasoning. About 1 tbl. It comes pre-packaged or you can make your own.

      2. Teena Smelser says:

        I want to make my own seasonng for ham and pinto beans can u tell me what to use

    2. DENYSE ELKINS says:

      If you can’t find the beans, I’d be willing to pick some up and ship them to you.

  9. LindaSonia says:

    where did the little blue pots shown in some pictures come from – cute!

  10. Mary says:

    on the bean and ham recipe i have a 4qt crock pot how would I cut this down maybe 1/2 bag of beans and cut back on other items?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I think that would work great!

      1. Erin says:

        Where did you buy the ham and beans?