Ham Northern Bean Soup (Printable)

A warm, flavorful stew featuring tender beans, savory ham, and aromatic vegetables slow-simmered for a hearty meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beans & Legumes

01 - 1 pound dried Great Northern beans, rinsed and sorted

→ Meats

02 - 1 meaty ham bone or 2 cups diced cooked ham

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 carrots, peeled and diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

07 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
08 - 2 cups water

→ Herbs & Spices

09 - 2 bay leaves
10 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
12 - Salt to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Rinse and sort the dried beans to remove debris. No soaking is required for slow cooker use, though soaking overnight is optional for softer beans and reduced cooking time.
02 - In a large slow cooker, combine beans, ham bone or diced ham, onion, carrots, celery, and garlic.
03 - Pour in chicken broth and water. Add bay leaves, thyme, and black pepper. Stir gently to combine.
04 - Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or until beans are tender and flavors meld thoroughly.
05 - Remove ham bone if using. Shred any meat from the bone and return it to the soup. Discard the bone and bay leaves.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt as needed, keeping in mind that ham can add considerable saltiness.
07 - Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh parsley.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It practically makes itself in the slow cooker while you go about your day, filling your home with the most comforting aroma.
  • One ham bone or bit of ham transforms humble beans into something rich and deeply satisfying without any fussy technique.
  • The recipe is forgiving and gluten-free, so it works for almost any table or dietary need.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the beans before adding them; this small step removes the starch that can make the broth cloudy or overly thick.
  • If you're using a ham bone from a holiday ham, freeze it first and add it straight to the cooker—it releases even more collagen and flavor as it thaws and simmers.
03 -
  • If your ham bone is especially large or meaty, it's worth the effort to crack it open with a knife or kitchen mallet before cooking—the marrow inside adds incredible depth to the broth.
  • Keep your slow cooker on warm for serving if you're feeding a crowd; the soup holds beautifully without overcooking the beans further.
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