Ham and Bean Soup

As January settles in and winter shows no signs of rushing off, there’s nothing I crave more than a big pot of Ham and Bean Soup. Whether you’re using up leftover holiday ham or grabbing one from the store, this warm, hearty classic is pure comfort in a bowl. Made right in the crockpot, it’s the kind of easy, no-fuss meal that feels especially welcome on cold days — just add everything, let it simmer low and slow, and enjoy the cozy magic.

If you’ve never made Ham and Bean Soup with dried beans, you’re in for such a treat. The beans soak, simmer, and soften slowly, soaking up all that savory ham flavor. It’s simple, budget-friendly, and stretches beautifully to feed a crowd or carry you through a week of cozy lunches. Plus, it’s one of the best ways to use every last bit of that holiday ham.

Let’s dive into the ingredients, walk through the steps, and chat through a few helpful tips for the very best bowl.

Why Ham and Bean Soup Is the Ultimate Leftover Ham Recipe

Leftover ham might be the unsung hero of post-holiday cooking. You can use it in omelets, casseroles, quiches… but nothing quite hits the same way as a warm bowl of Ham and Bean Soup.

Here’s why this recipe shines:

• Budget-friendly & filling – A pound of dried beans and leftover ham go a long way.
• Minimal prep – This is practically a dump-and-go recipe once your beans are soaked.
• Great for meal prep – This soup keeps well, freezes perfectly, and reheats like a dream.
• Naturally comforting – It’s old-fashioned, familiar, and feels like a hug in a bowl.

And honestly? Watching those beans transform from firm little pebbles into creamy, tender bites is half the joy of slow cooking.

Ingredients Needed for Crockpot Ham and Bean Soup

One of the best parts of this recipe is its simple ingredient list. Nothing fancy — just real, hearty basics.

• Dried Great Northern Beans
• Ham, cubed
• Chicken Broth
• Yellow Onion, chopped
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic Powder (optional)

If garlic isn’t your thing, skip it entirely — this soup has plenty of savory depth with just the ham and onions alone. Prefer fresh garlic? You can swap the powder for ½ teaspoon minced garlic if that’s what you keep on hand.

Helpful Tools and Kitchen Items

You don’t need much to pull this together, and that’s exactly why it’s perfect for busy days. A 6-Quart Crockpot (or similar slow cooker), a chopping board, a knife, and your slow cooker — welcome to the easiest soup of the season!

How to Make Ham and Bean Soup in the Crockpot

This recipe is wonderfully straightforward, but let’s walk through the steps so everything turns out just right.

Step 1: Prep and Soak the Beans

Start by sorting through the dried Great Northern beans. Sometimes a stray pebble or broken bean sneaks in — just give them a quick look.
Place the beans in a large bowl, cover them fully with water, and let them soak for about 8 hours or overnight.
Drain before cooking.

Why soak?
This step helps the beans soften properly in the crockpot and ensures they cook evenly without turning chalky or firm. It’s worth the time!

Step 2: Add All Ingredients to the Crockpot

Place the soaked beans, cubed ham, chopped onion, broth, salt, pepper, and garlic powder (if using) into the slow cooker.
Give everything a gentle stir so the seasonings distribute well.

Step 3: Cook Low and Slow

Cook the soup on high for 4 hours or until the beans are fully softened and creamy.
If your slow cooker runs hot or you’re making a double batch, check for doneness around the 3 ½-hour mark.

Step 4: Adjust Seasonings

Once the beans are tender, taste the broth and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Depending on the saltiness of your ham and broth, you may want a pinch more.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle into bowls, sprinkle with fresh pepper, and dig in!
Cornbread on the side is never a bad idea.

Tips for the Best Ham and Bean Soup

A few helpful notes to make your soup even more delicious:

• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
• Garlic Options: Not everyone uses garlic in their Ham and Bean Soup — totally optional. Powder or minced both work; use whichever you prefer.
• Swap Your Beans: Great Northern beans are classic, but navy beans, cannellini beans, or mixed white beans all work beautifully.
• If you’re new to cooking dried beans in the slow cooker, this helpful guide from The Kitchn walks through the process and offers a few extra tips for success.
• Broth or Water: If you’re out of broth, plain water works just as well. Just adjust the salt to taste, since water doesn’t add flavor.
• Ham Options: Honey-baked ham, smoked ham, or even leftover holiday spiral ham — they all bring their own personality to the soup. Use whatever you have.
• Thickness Adjustments:
  • Want it thicker? Mash a few beans against the side of the slow cooker and stir.
  • Want it thinner? Add a splash of broth or water.

This is a wonderfully forgiving recipe — truly, it’s hard to mess up.

Creative Ways to Serve Ham and Bean Soup

This cozy soup is fabulous on its own, but you can make it an entire meal with simple sides and garnishes:

• Warm, crusty bread or homemade rolls
• Classic Southern cornbread
• A light, simple green salad
• Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme sprinkled on top
• A swirl of olive oil for richness
• Crackers for crunch (oyster crackers work perfectly)

For a little kick, add a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes. If you prefer a smoky depth, a pinch of smoked paprika is a delightful addition.

Why This Slow Cooker Soup Belongs in Your Winter Rotation

There’s something nostalgic about this Leftover Ham and Bean Soup recipe — the way it fills the house with slow-simmered goodness, the way it tastes even better the next day, the way it uses simple ingredients and transforms them into something special. It feels like a nod to the kitchens and cooks who came before us, the ones who knew how to stretch leftovers into meals that warmed the whole family.

Beyond the nostalgia, this recipe is easy. It fits into real life. Whether you’re tackling a busy weekday, cleaning up after a holiday, or craving something wholesome and hearty, this crockpot version checks all the boxes:

• Hands-off cooking
• Comfort in a bowl
• Feeds many (or feeds you all week)
• Uses ingredients you already have

It’s the kind of recipe you’ll come back to again and again — because once you see how effortlessly delicious it is, it’ll become a winter staple.

Other soup recipes you might enjoy:

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup
Instant Pot Beef Stew
Slow Cooker Corn Chowder
Slow Cooker Sausage + Sweet Potato Chili

A Cozy Note to Wrap Things Up

Ham and Bean Soup is one of those classic, no-fuss recipes that make you grateful for slow cookers, leftovers, and big bowls of comfort. It’s simple, satisfying, budget-friendly, and warms you straight through — exactly what we all crave during the colder months. Whether you’re making it with holiday leftovers or a fresh ham steak from the store, this soup never disappoints.

If you make a batch, let me know how it turns out — or better yet, share a photo! There’s nothing sweeter than seeing your cozy creations come to life.