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Ham and Bean Soup

4.98 from 419 votes
Total 6 hours 5 minutes
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This old-fashioned ham and beans recipe pairs tender white beans with smoky ham for true, homemade comfort. It’s an easy, delicious way to use leftover holiday ham.

Bowl of ham and bean soup with spoon, with buttered cornbread in background

After you’ve made a tasty, gorgeous spiral ham, the next question is: What will you do with the bone? This slow-cooker ham and bean soup will make the most of the ham bone and any leftovers.

Ham and beans are often called ham and bean soup or navy bean soup. This soup is so popular because it's absolutely divine! Slow-cooking a leftover spiral ham bone with white beans unlocks so much flavor—it's smoky, savory, and even sweet.

The best part, it only takes a few steps to make this hearty, budget-friendly ham and bean soup. Your whole family will thank you.

Table of Contents hide
1) Ingredient notes
2) How long can you keep a ham bone to make soup?
3) How to make ham and bean soup
4) Recipe tips
5) What to serve with ham and bean soup
6) How to store and reheat leftovers
7) Can this recipe be frozen?
8) More soup recipes
9) 📖 Recipe
10) Ham and Bean Soup

Ingredient notes

This is the best ham and bean soup for any cooking level because it’s just so simple. Here’s what you’ll need to make it. Ingredient amounts are in the recipe card below.

  • dried navy beans - Or small white beans or great northern beans.
  • ham bone with meat – I used the bone from my orange-glazed spiral ham, but a smoked ham hock from any grocery store will work too. You can even use chopped ham from deli meat.
  • onion - Any large onion will work with ham and bean soup.
  • celery - This adds a nice texture and flavor to this classic recipe.
  • garlic - I prefer to use fresh garlic, but granulated would work too.
  • thyme - Dried or fresh thyme.
  • sea salt and black pepper
  • water - You can use broth, but the bone flavors the water so nicely after a long, slow cook. So, save your money and keep this one budget-friendly.
  • carrots - These go in during the last hour to prevent overcooking.
Overhead view of ham and beans ingredients with labels

How long can you keep a ham bone to make soup?

A cooked ham bone will last up to a week in the refrigerator, or it can be frozen for several months. So don’t worry, you can relax the day after your holiday instead of spending it making soup.

If you're looking for more ways to use leftover ham, be sure to check out my Ham and Pea Pasta recipe, too!

Do you need to soak navy beans before cooking?

Soaking navy beans for ham and bean soup is optional, however doing so greatly reduces the cook time. I did a side-by-side slow cooker test and found that the overnight-soaked navy beans slow cooked perfectly in 6 hours. The unsoaked beans took closer to 9 hours in the slow cooker. So, that's a pretty big difference to take note of when you're planning your soup strategy.

White beans soaking in large pitcher

How long should you soak navy beans before cooking? 

I prefer to soak navy beans for 8 to 12 hours. To soak beans, first rinse and drain them. Then, place in a large bowl or pot and add enough water to cover the beans by 4 inches because they will double in size. You can refrigerate or not during the soaking process. Once beans are soaked, rinse, drain, and they're ready to cook.

What can I use instead of a bone?

If you don’t have a leftover bone to make this recipe, you can use smoked ham hocks instead. They're usually available year-round at most grocery stores in the meat department. You'll want to add chopped ham steak or deli ham to your soup near the end because ham hocks have very little ham on them.

How to make ham and bean soup

Here are instructions to make ham and beans in the slow cooker or stove.

Slow cooker ham and bean soup

Start the soup. Add the beans, bone, onion, celery, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Add enough water or broth to cover the ingredients by at least an inch. Cook on low for 6 hours (for soaked beans) or 9 hours (for unsoaked beans).

Ham bone in slow cooker with beans and aromatics
Ham bone in slow cooker with other soup ingredients

Add the carrots. At the 5-hour mark, stir in the carrots. Continue to cook the soup until the beans are tender.

Ham and bean soup in slow cooker with large spoon

Finish. Remove the bone from the cooker. Cut off the ham, chop it, and add it back to the beans before serving, discarding the gristle and bone. I was shocked by how much ham we were able to get from the bone – it was plenty!

Ham being shredded in enamelware pan

To make ham and bean soup on the stove

Sauté the vegetables. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a 4-quart soup pot over medium high heat. Add the onions, celery, and garlic; sauté until they're tender.

Bring to a boil. Add the beans, bone, thyme, salt, pepper, and 6 cups of water to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Simmer. Once the soup has come to a boil, cover it with a loose-fitting lid and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally and adding more water as needed.

Add the carrots. Stir in the carrots during the last 20 to 30 minutes of simmering.

Finish. Once the beans and carrots are tender, remove the bone from the pot. Cut off the meat, shred it, and add it back to the soup. Discard the gristle and bone before serving. 

Recipe tips

Here are a few additional pointers for perfect ham and bean soup.

  • About the beans. I like using navy beans because of their size and relatively quick cooking time. Cannellini, great northern, or small white beans can be used too.
  • Not enough leftover meat? If you have a bone without any (or much) meat on it, you can still use it to make ham and bean soup. Additional ham, even deli ham, can be added at any point during the cooking time.
  • Water vs. broth. Some recipes for ham and beans call for chicken broth. I find that the bone adds more than enough flavor, which is why I use water. You're welcome to use any broth, or even turkey stock, if that interests you.
  • Ham and bean soup will naturally thicken once it cools down from initial cooking. It will loosen up during reheat, but if you want it less thick after that, you can always add more broth.
Ham and beans in white bowl with spoon

What to serve with ham and bean soup

I'm always up for a nosh of homemade French bread with ham and bean soup. I'll take it straight from the loaf or toasted and slathered with melted butter. The sweetness of cranberry walnut bread also complements the savory ham in the soup. Cornbread or cornbread muffins are always welcome and, if I'm honest, a first choice. It's so Southern and so crave-worthy!

How to store and reheat leftovers

Allow the ham and beans to cool, then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, then reheat in a microwave or stovetop.

Can this recipe be frozen?

Ham and bean soup is a great recipe for freezing! Allow it to cool, transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag, and freeze it for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

More soup recipes

📖 Recipe

Ham and beans in white bowl with spoon

Ham and Bean Soup

Old-fashioned ham and beans recipe made with navy beans and smoked ham using a crockpot or stove for true, homemade comfort. Ham & bean soup is an easy, delicious way to use leftover holiday ham or smoked ham hock.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time6 hours
Total time6 hours 5 minutes
Yield 10 cups
Author Traci Antonovich
4.98 from 419 votes
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Video

When scaling the recipe 2x or 3x, the gray ingredient note stays the same. Adjust quantities accordingly.

Ingredients 

  • 1 (16-oz bag) Dried Navy Beans, about 2 ½ cups, sorted and rinsed
  • 1 Smoked Ham Bone, or smoked ham hock
  • ½ large Onion, diced (1 cup)
  • 1 large Celery Rib, diced (1 cup)
  • 5 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Fresh Thyme, or ¼ teaspoon dried
  • 1 teaspoon Sea Salt, or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 6 cups Water, or broth
  • 1 large Carrot, diced (1 cup)

Instructions

  • (Recommended) Soak the beans overnight in 8 cups of water, then drain and discard the liquid. Alternatively, you can use unsoaked beans–I've included cooking times in the recipe.

Crockpot Instructions (see stove instructions below)

  • Add NAVY BEANS, HAM BONE, ONION, CELERY, GARLIC, THYME, SALT, and BLACK PEPPER to a 5-quart slow cooker.
  • Add enough WATER to cover the beans by 1 inch. You may need to add more during the cooking cycle.
  • Set the slow cooker on LOW for 6 hours (for soaked beans) or 9 hours (for unsoaked beans).
    Note: Timing may vary; see the footnote about the final cook time.
  • During the last hour of cooking, stir in the carrots and continue cooking until both the carrots and beans are tender.
  • Once the beans are done, remove the ham bone and strip any edible ham from it. Discard any bones or gristle.
  • For a creamier soup like you see in some of my recipe photos, use a potato masher to mash some beans in the pot to thicken the broth. Add the shredded ham back to the soup and serve warm.
  • To store, cool the leftovers to room temperature and refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Did you make this? We'd love your feedback!!Please rate and review it here or below ⤵️

Recipe Notes

White bean variety: I prefer navy beans for their size and quick cooking time, but cannellini, great northern, or small white beans work well too.
Water vs. Broth: While some recipes call for chicken broth, I find the bone provides enough flavor, so I use water. You can substitute with any broth or turkey stock if you prefer.
Add extra ham: If the ham bone doesn’t have enough meat, you can add extra ham for more texture, volume, and flavor.
Final cook time may vary: The age of the beans can affect cooking time, so it's best to allow extra time, especially on the LOW setting in a slow cooker. If the beans aren't noticeably soft after 5 hours, switch to the HIGH setting and monitor until they reach the desired softness.
Want thicker soup? Per step 6 above, if the beans are fully cooked and the soup isn’t thick to your liking, mash some beans or give it a few quick pulses with an immersion blender.
____________________________________
Stove instructions
Heat 2 tablespoons of OLIVE OIL in a 4-quart soup pot over medium-high heat. Sauté the ONIONS, CELERY, and GARLIC until tender. Add the BEANS, HAM BONE, THYME, SALT, PEPPER, and 6 cups of WATER. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours (for soaked beans) or 6 hours (for unsoaked beans), covered with a loose-fitting lid. During the process, add enough WATER to keep the liquid just above the surface of the beans. During the last hour, add the CARROTS and continue cooking until they soften, stirring as needed. Proceed with step #5 above.

Equipment

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 254mg | Potassium: 603mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2061IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 3mg
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free
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Reader Interactions

4.98 from 419 votes (350 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Abuelita says

    5 stars
    I was out of white beans and live in a rural area, so I substituted barley. It was delicious.

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Well that sure is interesting. I'm glad it worked out for you. Thanks!

  2. Andrea says

    5 stars
    This recipe sounds good. I’m going to make it tomorrow. I’m curious if I use 3 cups of water and 3 cups of chicken broth, if that will be okay? I think so. We’ll see.

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Yes! That will be just fine. You can even skip the broth and use all water if you want. The ham bone brings plenty of flavor to this soup. Let me know if you have further questions. Enjoy!!

  3. Teri C. says

    5 stars
    I have a head of cabbage I would like to use, can I add that to this recipe? Maybe a can of San Marzano whole tomatoes, crushed, too?

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Sure, you can add whatever you like, timed at your discretion, depending on the texture you prefer for those add-ins. Let me know if you have other questions and enjoy!!

  4. Mike says

    5 stars
    can one add bacon to this soup?

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Sure! Once your bacon is cooked, you can add it at any point. I would even save some crumbles for a topping when serving. Let me know if you have any further questions. Thanks and enjoy!

  5. Denise Fickey says

    5 stars
    Best ham and bean soup I’ve made

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Yay! So glad you went for it. Thanks so much for the feedback. Enjoy!!

  6. Suzy penner says

    can i cook this on high?

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Hiya! I haven't personally tested this recipe on the HIGH setting, but feel free to experiment and adjust as needed. Keep an eye on the beans for tenderness as often as necessary. We'd love to know how it turns out for you, so please do come back and let us know. Thanks and enjoy!

  7. Julie says

    5 stars
    I like to try different recipes of the same dish and this was hands down the best ham and bean soup I’ve made so far. I did stray slightly - I did not add salt (however I soaked the beans in salt water) and instead of 6 cups of water I used 3 cups of vegetable broth and 3 cups of water. I also added chopped kale when I added the carrots. It was delicious. We keep eating it even though we aren’t hungry! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Yay Julie!! I'm so glad you found your way to my recipe and made it your own. It's very versatile and yours sounds delicious. Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback. Much appreciated! Enjoy!

  8. Angie says

    5 stars
    Family enjoyed this.

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Yay! Always glad to hear when the family approves. Thanks for the feedback. Enjoy!

  9. Donna Miller says

    5 stars
    Lost my old recipe for this soup & so happy to find yours after searching many on the net. It's 38 today in Jacksonville & buying a Honey Baked ham bone to proceed. Recipe similar to my old one & know this will be a great soup.

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Hi Donna! I'm so glad you found your way to my recipe. Your ham bone sounds delish! Enjoy your soup and thanks so much for sharing your experience here!

  10. Bozz says

    5 stars
    10/10 recommend! Easy to make and the spiral ham bone adds all the flavor you could ever want. It’s smoky and savory and the family gobbles it right up! Thank you!

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Woot! The ham bone is so good in this soup! Always happy when the family approves too. Thanks so much!!

  11. Julie Jones says

    5 stars
    Best bean soup ever. Won’t use any other recipe at all. Followed recipe exactly as written multiple times now. Please try this bean and ham soup!

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Yay! I'm so glad you're enjoying the recipe. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. Much appreciated. Enjoy!!

  12. Meghan says

    I accidentally just added carrots to it without even thinking! Will they be ok or do I need to try to get them out? So excited to try this!

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Aww it's ok. They'll be very very soft and might fall apart. You could always cue up more carrots to add later in the recipe. Let me know if you have any more questions. I'm excited for you to try it too! Enjoy!

  13. Tabatha says

    5 stars
    This recipe is delicious and easy.

    Reply

    • Traci says

      I appreciate the feedback and am glad you're enjoying the recipe. Thank you so much!

  14. Dianne says

    5 stars
    A keeper!!!

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Yay!! So glad you're enjoying the recipe. One of my favorite comfort soups for sure. Thank you for the feedback!

  15. Cheri says

    5 stars
    Great recipe -made today on a rainy day in south Florida and it’s perfect -we add raw chopped onion and tobasco to our soup and serve it with cornbread -perfect!

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Oh nice!! This is definitely a good rainy day soup that calls for cornread and tobasco. I'm so glad you went for it and thank you so much for the feedback! Enjoy!!!

    • Dianne says

      A keeper!!
      I made this in my instant.pot. I sauteed the onions, celery, and carrots for about 5 minutes then added the garlic and sauteed another minute or so. Cooked on Manual for 60 minutes. I let it sit for about 30 minutes after cooking then I released the steam. I used my immersion blender to make it a little creamy. Keeping this recipe and it will be my staple!!!
      Note: I rinsed the beans but did not soak.

  16. Tommy says

    5 stars
    Wow this was friggin' tasty. Ham and beans, my two favorite food groups. Pro tip adding the carrots later on -- I'll save the mushy carrots for when I'm geriatric!

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Oh yay! So glad you enjoyed the soup AND my pro carrot tip. I also don't care for mushy carrots LOL. Thanks for the feedback and enjoy!!

  17. Linda McMurray says

    Does this way of cooking the beans work well with making ham and bean soup bean soup.
    Would you add all the ingredients in with the beans att the same time.

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Hi Linda, can you clarify the question for me? Thanks so much!!

  18. Al says

    5 stars
    This is perfect. It’s so simple but so good. Immersion blended some of the beans and the texture was perfect. Threw in some leftover collard greens and it was meal. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Hi Al, you're so welcome! I'm glad you went for it and thanks so much for sharing your feedback. I appreciate it. Enjoy!

  19. jr says

    I see the recipe calls for minced garlic but would it hurt to throw in some additional whole cloves? I love garlic and sometimes in soups they're amazing flavor bombs when you get eat one lol

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Hiya! You're welcome to add it in any form. Your idea sounds delicious for garlic lovers. Enjoy!

  20. Georgeann says

    5 stars
    looks like my mom made it.

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Great to know! Thanks!

  21. Eva says

    5 stars
    It is definitely one of the best ham and bean soup recipes I’ve ever made. Thank you, it’s exactly what I needed!

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Yay! I'm so glad you found your way to my recipe and went for it! Thank you SO much for sharing your experience. Truly appreciate it 🙂

  22. Diane Goeders says

    5 stars
    OMG, I’ve been married 27 years and cook all the time. My husband said it was the best ham and bean soup he’s EVER had 😊😊 It really was delish, I used dry beans so I cooked it for about 8 hours because we couldn’t wait any longer and it was perfect! The only thing I did different was add 2 bay leaves just because I love bay leafs. Thank you for this recipe, it’s a keeper!

    Reply

    • Traci says

      You are so welcome and this makes me so happy to hear, Diane! I'm so glad you found your way to my recipe and that you love it as much as we do 🙂 Thank you for sharing your experience. Cheers!

  23. Laura says

    5 stars
    just made this today, and it's absolutely delicious! I am the only one in my house who will eat it, so can it be frozen?

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Hiya! I'm so glad you're enjoying it and thanks for sharing your experience 🙂 To freeze this soup, cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and freeze up to 3 months, or longer if vacuum sealed. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove or in the microwave. Enjoy!!

  24. Brenda says

    3 stars
    Flavor is good but far too brothy for my taste. From the picture I expected this to be much thicker.

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Hiya, you must have overlooked item #6 on the recipe instructions. It's an immediate way to make the soup go from brothy to creamy. I like to give readers options 🙂 Also, it's not too late to do that with the batch you made. Enjoy!

  25. Jen says

    5 stars
    So good and simple. l did use low sodium vegetable broth so left out the salt. thanks so much.

    Reply

    • Traci says

      You're so welcome 🙂 I'm glad you found your way to my recipe and went for it. Thanks for sharing your experience. Enjoy!!