soup

Ham & Bean Soup (Crock Pot)

Warm, hearty, and soul-satisfying, this slow-cooked Ham & Bean Soup transforms a simple ham bone into a deeply flavorful, rustic meal. A full pound of great Northern beans simmers all day with carrots, onions, celery, garlic, mustard, and bay leaves, absorbing every bit of smoky richness from the ham hock. The result is a creamy, comforting broth without any cream at all — classic old-fashioned goodness made effortless in the Crock Pot. Whether you're warming up a winter evening, feeding a hungry crowd, or using up leftover holiday ham, this RizzieFarms favorite is as nostalgic as it is delicious.

Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Total Time: 495 min
Pan: 6–8 quart Crock Pot / slow cooker

Ingredients

Soup Base
  • 1 pound dry great Northern beans
  • 6 to 8 cups chicken broth (or water)
  • 1 ham hock or ham bone
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 1/2 stalk celery, chopped
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional, add to taste at the end)
  • 2 cups chopped ham (added later)
A bowl of hearty ham and bean soup with carrots and beans.

Instructions

  1. Rinse beans Rinse 1 pound dry great Northern beans thoroughly under cold water and pick out any broken or discolored beans. No soaking is required if cooking 8–10 hours on LOW.
  2. Layer ingredients in the Crock Pot In a 6–8 quart slow cooker, layer the rinsed 1 pound beans, 1 cup chopped carrots, 1/2 stalk chopped celery, 1 cup chopped onion, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 1 teaspoon mustard powder, 2 bay leaves, and 1/2 teaspoon white pepper. Nestle the 1 ham hock (or ham bone) into the center of the vegetables.
  3. Add liquid Pour 6 to 8 cups chicken broth (or water) over the layered ingredients, adding just enough liquid to fully cover the beans, vegetables, and ham hock.
  4. Slow cook Cover the Crock Pot and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours or on HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the beans are very tender and the flavors have melded.
  5. Remove bone and add chopped ham Remove the ham hock or ham bone from the soup. Shred or chop any meat still attached to the bone and return the meat to the Crock Pot. Stir in 2 cups chopped ham.
  6. Season to taste Taste the soup and add up to 1/2 teaspoon salt if needed — the ham may already provide enough saltiness.
  7. Serve Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot with cornbread, crackers, or crusty bread.

Notes

  • Beans naturally thicken the broth as they break down — no flour or cream needed.
  • If the soup becomes too thick, add a splash of broth or water toward the end.
  • Smoked ham hocks create the deepest flavor, but a leftover holiday ham bone works beautifully.

Tags

soup slow cooker ham beans comfort food winter crock pot