Easy Slow Cooker (Crockpot) Ham Bone Bean Soup

This easy Crock Pot Ham Bone and Bean Soup is a delicious and simple way to use up that leftover holiday ham bone, and comes together entirely in the crockpot!

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Easy Crock Pot Ham Bone and Bean Soup

Use up that leftover ham bone with this hearty soup, made entirely in the crockpot! This easy soup combines plenty of diced veggies, beans, spices, and a flavorful ham bone for a simple and tasty dinner that almost cooks itself! This classically comforting bean soup is a warm your bones meal the whole family will love.

All you need is some crusty bread for an easy dinner the whole family will love! This is one of the best soups for a cold or rainy day, and one of my  favorite ways to use up a leftover ham bone. This soup can also be made in the Instant Pot!

Ingredients

This Crock Pot Ham Bone and Bean Soup is an easy and delicious way to use up a leftover ham bone, and it's all done right in the crockpot! Here's what you'll need to make it:

• Carrots, celery, and onion. Be sure to finely dice them so that the cook evenly in the crockpot.
• Garlic. A whole 8 minced cloves for extra flavor!
• Smoked paprika, dried thyme, oregano, bay leaves, and rosemary. These add a great depth of flavor to the broth.
• Chicken stock. You could also use chicken broth, water and bouillon, or bone broth.
• Fresh chopped parsley. I add this right into the soup, and it also makes a great garnish when serving.
• Dried Great Northern Beans or Navy Beans. For best results and texture, soak the beans in water overnight.
• 1 large smoked ham bone, ham hock, or ham shank. If you don't have a leftover holiday ham bone, smoked ham hocks or a ham shank work beautifully!

How to make Crock Pot Ham Bone and Bean Soup

This easy soup only takes a little bit of preparation, and then it's all done in the crockpot! Here's how to make it:

1. Rinse and pick over beans, and transfer to a large bowl. Cover with water and soak overnight covered on the counter, or in the refrigerator. 
2. Add broth, soaked (and drained) beans, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, spices and bay leaf to a slow cooker. Stir to combine. Add the ham bone and submerge in broth. Cover and cook on high until beans are tender, 6-8 hours.
3. Discard bay leaves. Remove ham bone and let sit until cool enough to handle. Once cool, shred ham meat and stir into the soup.
4. Season soup with additional salt and pepper, to taste (if desired). 
5. Optionally: Use a potato masher or immersion blender to break up some of the beans for a thicker consistency.

Substitutions and Additions

This easy crockpot ham and bean soup is easily adapted to your tastes, and to work with what you have on hand. Here are some great substitutions and additions you can make to make this soup your own!

• Try other dry beans, such as white beans, pinto beans, or cannellini beans (aka white kidney beans). You could also use a mixture of beans.
• If you don't have a leftover meaty ham bone, you can use ham hocks or a ham shank from the grocery store.
• If you want a thicker consistency, you can use an immersion blender or potato masher to mash up some of the beans.
• Use sprigs of fresh thyme and rosemary instead of the dried spices, and remove with the bay leaves before serving.
• Not enough meat on your ham bone? Add in some diced ham steaks.
• If you don't have chicken stock, you can use water, or water and bouillon.
• Use low-sodium chicken broth to cut down on the salt.

Storing leftovers

To store leftover soup, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This soup also freezes well! You can store in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months.

What to serve with the soup

This soup goes great with some crusty bread, a side of cornbread, or simple bread and butter. A nice side salad is a nice addition as well. I also love to add a bit of fresh parsley to the soup just before serving in each bowl.

More great leftover ham recipes

If you love this Crock Pot Ham Bone and Bean Soup, you'll love these great leftover ham recipes, too!

• Split Pea and Ham Soup
• 15 Bean Soup
• White Bean and Ham Soup
• Ham and Bean Soup with Dumplings
• Ham and Cheese Croquettes

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