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Hearty 15 Bean Soup with Ham (Slow Cooker Option)

Close-up of a white bowl filled with savory 15 bean soup, featuring beans, diced carrots, celery, and chunks of ham.
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Make this hearty 15 bean soup with ham for a comforting, filling meal. This recipe is simple, uses a bean mix, and includes a slow cooker option for easy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound smoked ham hock or leftover ham bone
  • 1 package (16 ounces) 15-bean soup mix (ensure it contains no added salt if monitoring sodium)
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 8 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional, for brightness)

Instructions

  1. If using a ham hock or bone, place it in a large pot or slow cooker. If using diced ham, wait to add it until the last 30 minutes of cooking.
  2. Rinse the 15-bean mix thoroughly under cold water. Add the rinsed beans, chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot.
  3. Add the water or broth, diced tomatoes, thyme, oregano, and bay leaf.
  4. If using a stovetop, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until beans are tender. Stir occasionally.
  5. If using a slow cooker, cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until beans are tender.
  6. Remove the ham hock or bone. Shred any usable meat from the bone and return the meat to the soup. Discard the bone/hock.
  7. Stir in the apple cider vinegar, if using. Taste and add black pepper as needed. Do not add salt until after the ham is added, as ham is often salty.
  8. Remove the bay leaf before serving this comforting soup.

Notes

  • For a thicker soup, remove about 2 cups of the soup near the end, blend until smooth, and stir back into the pot.
  • This recipe is excellent for meal prep; it freezes well for future easy dinner soup nights.
  • If you do not have a ham hock, use 1 cup of diced smoked ham or bacon pieces cooked until crisp before adding the other ingredients.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mayaplate.com/bean-soup-hearty-15-bean-soup-with-ham/