The Best Ham And Bean Soup (Stovetop, Campfire Kettle or Slow Cooker)

This is the best, homemade ham and bean soup bursting with flavors from a ham hock, vegetables, white beans, and a hearty broth.

Are you looking for a hearty and delicious meal your family will love? Well look no further than this ultimate ham and bean soup. Whether you’re cooking over the stovetop, an open campfire kettle or in a slow cooker, this classic recipe is sure to warm both hearts and bellies! Full of protein with fantastic flavor that will please even the pickiest eater, it’s easy to see why this dish is beloved by so many – especially my husband. 

It’s packed full of savory ingredients that come together perfectly plus simple steps – reducing your time spent in the kitchen! So get ready to delight everyone at mealtimes with a bowlful of comfort food satiatingly cooked from scratch. If you’re wondering “Why does my ham and bean soup taste bland?” – check out this recipe! 

Why Ham And Bean Soup is the Perfect Comfort Meal

As the leaves start to change color and the air starts to get crisp, nothing hits the spot quite like a warm bowl of ham and bean soup (or my favorite venison chili). This cozy and comforting meal has been a favorite for generations, and for good reason. When I met my husband, he informed me that one of his favorite meals was ham and bean soup. I’ve spent most of the last decade perfecting a recipe and we absolutely adore this one. I typically make it over the stovetop, but he likes to make it over an open fire in the backyard when he’s having a wood-splitting session. 

The combination of ham and beans creates a flavorful and hearty dish that will leave you feeling satisfied and content. Whether you’re curled up on the couch with a good book or enjoying a family dinner on a chilly fall evening, ham and bean soup is the perfect choice to warm you up from the inside out. So next time you’re craving a meal that will leave you feeling warm and cozy, whip up a batch of ham and bean soup for the ultimate comfort experience. If you’re a texture fanatic like me, add in stir oyster crackers for crunch!

Choosing The Best Ingredients for Your Ham & Bean Soup | Ham Hock, White Beans, Vegetables, & Herbs

With fall right around the corner, it’s time to embrace the cozy comforts of hearty soups and stews (you have to check out this recipe and this one, too!). One of our favorites? Ham and bean soup. But, to make it truly flavorful, you need to choose the best ingredients. Start with a meaty ham bone or thick-cut ham steak. We always try to support local farmers when we can and we buy Berkshire hog pork from Honeybrook Farm in Schuylkill Haven, PA. A simple search of “pasture raised meat near me” or hitting up a local farm market is a great way to get quality (and sustainably sourced) meat. 

Then opt for high-quality beans like navy beans , great northern beans, pinto beans or cannellini beans. I like organic when possible. I also always make sure to rinse my beans super well when they’re canned. I do use canned beans but you could certianlly use dried beans, soak them, and then cook if you prefer. 

Fresh vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery add depth and nutrition, while thyme, and garlic give an extra layer of flavor. Again, hit up that farmer’s market and grab everything fresh when you can!

Don’t forget to season generously with salt and pepper, and let the flavors meld together for a truly satisfying comfort meal.

The Benefits of Making Your Own Stock for Soup Recipes 

While pre-made stocks are readily available at the grocery store, there’s something truly special about making your own from scratch. Every time I cook a large ham (aka usually after Christmas or Easter) , or I cut up ham to make ham and bean soup and have a leftover ham bone or shank, I make my own stock and freeze it. 

Here is my recipe for making stock of any kind, and I use this with ham, as well. All you need to do is cool it, skim off some of the fat, and then freeze it in freezer zip top or vacuum sealed bags and defrost it when you want to make this bean soup recipe. It seriously makes a HUGE difference from using store bought chicken broth or stock. 

The benefits of making your own stock are vast, from the flavorful depth it adds to your soup to the hearty comfort meal that results. Not to mention, you have full control over what goes into it, allowing you to tailor the flavors to your liking. So next time you’re craving a bowl of ham and bean soup, consider taking the extra time to make your own stock – your taste buds (and stomach) will thank you.

Step-By-Step Guide to Making Stovetop Ham and Bean Soup 

OK so I get that you may be intimidated by making soup from scratch. If you’ve never made ham and bean soup before, don’t worry! I’ve got you covered with a step-by-step guide to making stovetop ham and bean soup that is flavorful and filling. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of patience, you’ll have a hot and satisfying meal that’s perfect for the fall season. So grab your soup pot, get ready to fill your house with incredible smelling, simmering soup, and let’s get started!

Here’s what you’re going to do:

1. Add butter to a large stock pot and melt over medium heat (medium high heat is OK, too). Once melted add the diced onion, carrot and celery stalks and sauté until the edges of the vegetables start to brown. 
2. Then add the garlic and tomato paste and sauté for about 2 additional minutes. 
3. Next add the flour, herbs de Provence, salt and black pepper and saute for 3 additional minutes.
4. Next, stir in the diced ham and beans before pouring in the stock. 
5. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and stir well. 
6. Before covering with a lid, you can add some fresh thyme and the ham hock if you have it. 
7. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook covered slightly for at least 30 minutes but up to all day! The cook time can go just as long as you’d like, really. 
8. Serve with oyster crackers if you’d like and enjoy!!

Delicious Toppings and Mix-Ins to Customize Your Soup 

Soup is a comfort food that warms the soul, but did you know that adding delicious toppings and mix-ins can take your soup to the next level? Fresh thyme is a wonderful aromatic herb that adds a pop of flavor to any savory soup. I use it IN the cooking process, but it adds some brightness to top with a few sprigs. Fresh parsley is wonderful, too. Speaking of brightness, a squeeze of lemon never hurt anyone, either. Lemon juice can brighten up any soup and add a refreshing zing. 

We love adding oyster crackers, cornbread croutons, saltines – anything with crunchy & salty goes SO well here. 

If you’re a spicy fan, crushed red pepper flakes are wonderful, too!

Get creative and experiment with different toppings and mix-ins for a soup that’s uniquely yours!

Slow Cooker & Campfire Kettle Versions of Ham and Bean Soup – What You Need to Know

Few meals evoke a sense of coziness and comfort quite like ham and bean soup. Whether in the form of slow cooker or campfire kettle versions, this hearty dish is a favorite among many. With the right ingredients and preparation, it’s easy to create a flavorful soup that will warm you up from the inside out. Slow cookers are great for busy schedules, allowing you to set the ingredients to simmer all day. With a slow cooker, all you need to do is dump everything into the crockpot (you could use an instant pot/pressure cooker, too I just don’t use mine much). I do like to reduce the liquid by half so it’s nice and thick when you’re ready to eat with a slow cooker. The slow cooker is very convenient, but it doesn’t build flavor as well as the stovetop or better yet, open campfire kettle.

The smoky flavors of the campfire kettle are perfect for outdoor dinners under the stars. When we do this, I prep all of the ingredients and bring them out to the fire. We hang a kettle over well established coals and a low burning flame and let it heat before adding the butter. Simply follow the directions in the recipe printout, being sure to keep yourself safe from the open fire. I like to keep the kettle covered with a lid to avoid ash. 

Whichever version you choose, ham and bean soup is sure to become a comfort meal staple in your household!

How to Serve and Store Leftovers

Ham and bean soup is best served piping hot, with some of the toppings mentioned above in a soup bowl with a large spoon. If you’re thinking “What is a good side dish for ham and bean soup?”… we love serving it with a crusty loaf of sourdough or Traeger Cornbread and a simple salad. 

This is definitely one of those recipes that gets better after it sits in a large bowl in the refrigerator over night. I feel like the ingredients get to work soaking up all of that flavor. It stays good for 3-5 days in the fridge, but I love nothing more than making a huge double batch and freezing single serve portions for days. It keeps for about 6 months.

Ham and Bean Soup really is the perfect comfort meal, easy to make, and full of flavor. With a blended mix of tender ham, savory beans, fresh herbs, and an aromatic stock base, you can whip up an easy homemade soup that will warm your heart (and belly) in no time. If you haven’t tried making your own Stock for a soup base before, this is the time to do it! It’s truly rewarding and mire flavorful than the canned version. Whether you opt to enjoy classic Stovetop Ham and Bean Soup or choose the convenience of slow cooked or campfire food kettle versions – don’t forget all the delicious toppings and mix-ins that you can add at the end. Go ahead – get creative in customizing this cozy comfort meal and make it unique! So why wait any longer? Grab some ingredients from your kitchen and whip up a bowl of delectable Ham and Bean Soup today. Enjoy!

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