The Best 15 Bean Soup with Ham (Slow Cooker Recipe)

Share this post:

There’s nothing quite like a big bowl of old fashioned ham and bean soup on a chilly day. This Slow Cooker 15 Bean and Ham Soup recipe is the ultimate comfort food – hearty, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. With just 5 minutes of prep time and your trusty crock pot doing all the work, you’ll have a delicious soup that feeds the whole family with minimal effort.

15 Bean Soup with Ham

This 15 Bean and Ham Soup has become a staple in my kitchen, and I’m excited to share this recipe! Whether you’re looking for ham and bean soup crock pot recipes or simply want to know how to make 15 bean soup that tastes amazing, this is the recipe you need.

With all the cold weather we’ve had this year in Mississippi, soup has become a regular in our meal plans. Having several soup recipes we love helps us avoid getting bored!

What Makes This the Best 15 Bean Soup Recipe

This isn’t just any Ham and 15 Bean Soup recipe – it’s packed with flavor thanks to Cajun seasoning, chili powder, and a perfect blend of spices. 

The combination of the bean soup mix with some extra Northern beans creates an incredibly hearty soup that’s practically a complete meal on its own. The diced ham adds great flavor and a lot of meat, making this 15 bean soup recipe with ham satisfying and filling.

What I love most about this 15-bean soup slow cooker recipe is how hands-off it is. Simply add everything to your slow cooker, set it, and forget it. The long cooking time allows all the flavors to meld together beautifully, creating tender beans in a rich, flavorful broth.

What Beans Are in 15 Bean Soup?

Most bean soup packages you find at the grocery store contain a great variety of beans, including navy beans, pinto beans, black beans, great northern beans, small white beans, black-eyed peas, baby lima beans, red beans, large lima beans, white kidney beans, and yellow split peas, among others. 

This recipe uses a southern favorite: Hurst’s HamBeens Cajun 15 Bean Soup. These can be easily found in most southern grocery stores and if you can’t find them locally, you can order them on Amazon here. I add some extra northern beans, which bulk up the soup even more and make it creamier.

Making 15 Bean Soup in the Crock Pot couldn’t be easier. Unlike the traditional method that requires soaking beans overnight and simmering them on the stove, this slow cooker ham and bean soup comes together with just a few simple steps.

How to Make 15 Bean Soup

This is one of those recipes where you can put everything in your slow cooker and walk away (for the most part). It’s so easy and delicious!

1. Add everything (bean soup mix, chicken broth, diced ham, drained beans, vegetables, and all the seasonings) to your slow cooker except the diced tomatoes.
2. Give it a good stir to combine.
3. Cover and cook on HIGH for 6–8 hours or LOW for 8–10 hours.
4. About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the diced tomatoes.
5. Serve your hearty soup hot with your favorite bread or cornbread!

Variations and Substitutions

Making 15 Bean Soup with Ham Hock or Ham Bone:

With this recipe, you can add ham, diced ham, or substitute with ham hocks or a leftover ham bone from a holiday meal. A smoked ham hock adds incredible smoky flavor to the soup. If using a ham bone soup approach, simply add the bone at the beginning and remove it before serving, shredding any meat and adding it back into the pot. 

Additional Vegetables:

Feel free to add celery, spinach, or collards at the beginning of cooking for extra flavor. You can also add a bay leaf for extra flavor – just remember to remove it before serving.

Spice Level:

The Cajun seasoning and chili powder give this soup a nice kick, but you can adjust the heat to your liking. Add red pepper flakes or black pepper for more spice, or reduce the Cajun seasoning for a milder version.

Broth Options:

While I use chicken broth in this recipe, you can substitute with vegetable broth or beef broth. Some people even use the seasoning packet (or ham flavor packet) that often comes with bean soup packages, though the seasoning blend in this recipe provides great flavor on its own.

Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup

If you prefer to make this 15 bean soup in an Instant Pot or other pressure cooker, it’s really easy to adapt! Using an Instant Pot reduces the cooking time while still producing delicious soup.

1. Add all ingredients except the tomatoes to your Instant Pot. 
2. Cook on high pressure for 45-50 minutes with natural release. 
3. Add the tomatoes, stir, and let sit for a few minutes before serving. 

Can You Make 15 Bean Soup With Ham Stove Top?

Absolutely! To make 15 Bean Soup with Ham (stove top), use a large pot or large stockpot. Add all ingredients except tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 hours until beans are tender, stirring occasionally. Add tomatoes during the last 30 minutes of cooking time.

Serving Suggestions 

This Crock Pot Ham and 15 Bean Soup is perfect with bread or crackers! Add a simple side salad and you have a complete meal. Here are some of our favorite breads:  

• Kitchenaid Bread Recipe
• Southern Buttermilk Cornbread
• Sweet Honey Cornbread
• Easy Rustic Sourdough Bread (Only 5 Ingredients!)

Storage Instructions

Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-7 days. This soup actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.

Can You Freeze Ham and Bean Soup? Yes! This soup freezes beautifully. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers. It will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.up freezes beautifully. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers. It will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

More Soup Recipes…

• Mac & Cheese Chicken Soup
• The Best Squash Soup Recipe
• Easy Taco Soup
• Kitchen Sink Minestrone Soup
• 25 Amazing Soup Recipes You’ll Love!
• Instant Pot Black Bean Soup
• Brett’s Brunswick Stew
• Cream Cheese Potato Soup
• 15 Bean Soup with Ham