FAVORITE SOUPS

Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup 

Ham and bean soup is a perfect cold weather meal. It is especially great if you have some leftover ham to use up. Make a pot and some cornbread today!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 8 hours

Additional Time 12 hours

Total Time 20 hours

10 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 pounds dry great northern beans*
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 Tablespoon chopped parsley optional
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 meaty ham bone
• 8 cups water
• 1 large onion chopped
• 1 to 2 cups ham in about half inch cubes  

Instructions

• Soak the dried beans overnight. Drain and rinse.
• Add beans, spices, ham bone, onion and water to your slow cooker. (I used a 6 quart insert)
• Cook on low for about 7-8 hours.
• Remove ham bone and bay leaf. Stir in chopped ham. Continue to cook for another 30 minutes to an hour. (This will give you time to make your cornbread!)
• For a thicker soup, remove a cup or so of the cooked beans. Mash them then stir them back into the pot. 
• Store leftover in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Freeze for longer storage.

Ingredients 

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup carrots sliced (2-3 carrots)
1 cup celery sliced (2-3 ribs)
1 large onion chopped (2 cups)
4 cups chicken broth
4 cups water
1 pound dried lentils picked over, rinsed, stones discarded
1 meaty ham bone or ham hock
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
pepper
additional cooked ham chopped (optional)
fresh parsley minced, for garnish (optional)
 
Instructions:

Slow Cooker:

• In a 3-quart pan or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sauté carrots, celery, and onion until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in broth, water, lentils, ham bone, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Pour into slow cooker. Heat on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, LOW for 6 to 8 hours, or until lentils are tender.
• Remove ham bone and bay leaf. Chop ham from bone and return to slow cooker. Add additional leftover ham, if using, and cover until heated through, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper and garnish with parsley if desired.