Northern Beans and Ham Soup

Try this frugal and delicious classic recipe for Northern Beans and Ham Soup. Easily made in the Crock-Pot or Instant Pot and perfect for cool winter days! Ladle over our Instant Pot Rice or Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread for a hearty dinner.

Growing up, my parents cooked most dinners at home. I remember very few meals that I didn’t like, but there are definitely a few meals that have stood out as my favorites.

Pot of beans – or more commonly known as northern beans and ham soup – is one of them.

I confess, there was a several year gap while I was in college when I didn’t have much of anything resembling a home-cooked meal. So when I visited my mom one night and she cooked a pot of beans, it was like a rewind to my childhood.

And it was utterly amazing.

Just like I have my own memories, I want my kids to grow up and remember me making their favorite dishes. My daughter has grown VERY fond of my tomato basil soup – or tomato sauce soup, as she affectionately calls it – and I love that she’s the first one to finish her bowl when it’s on the table.

My son is a little on the tricky side. He’s a HUGE fan of fruits and vegetables, but a bit peculiar with certain textures. However, he does like ham, so I’m hoping to win him over since the enormous flavor of a simple pot of beans comes from the fact that they cook all day with a smoked ham hock.

A short side note… Before you fellow moms and dads start to think that I’ve got a trick up my sleeve to feed my kids beans without complaint, I don’t.  It’s taken a few years of dedicated persistence before they realized that I’m not going to not ever serve them beans. So here’s a tip from the trenches: Just keep trying. Eventually they’ve cave!

Northern Beans and Ham Soup

My favorite part of northern beans and ham soup are the little pieces of ham that are hidden among the beans. It’s like finding a gem among a beach of grey rocks, and the more the merrier! Why cook this soup? Because it’s:

• Hearty. It has a consistency of stew (it’s SO good served with my no-knead artisan bread), which makes it thick and hearty and perfect for colder temperatures outside.
• Versatile. It can be served as a stew, or over rice (I like to make Instant Pot Rice), or over my cast iron skillet cornbread!  
• And It Freezes Well. This soup reheats even better, and can be made in the slow cooker (like this one) even when you’re not home!

Since the ham imparts the natural saltiness to this dish, I didn’t include any added salt. You will need to add salt and pepper to taste. YUM! 

See? I told you it was amazing…

Ingredients in Northern Beans and Ham Soup

At first, it may seem like it’s a lot of ingredients, but trust me, it’s so quick and easy to put together. Especially if you prep the veggies ahead of time. 

• Northern beans, soaked overnight 
• Olive oil
• Carrots, Celery, Onion
• Garlic
• Italian seasoning
• Thyme
• Sage
• Chicken broth / stock (preferably Homemade Chicken Stock – Try this easy Instant Pot Recipe)
• Ham Hock
• Chopped ham (optional) If the budget is tight, you can omit the additional chopped ham and just use the ham hock. You’ll still get plenty of wonderful meat from the ham hock. The chopped ham is just an extra option!  

Note: I have seen some other recipes that call for bay leaves, which I haven’t added to this recipe, but I definitely think it would add another layer of flavor – if you have bay leaves on hand.

See the recipe card below for complete ingredient amounts

How To Make Northern Beans and Ham Soup In The Slow Cooker

This is one of several great recipes where you can toss all of the ingredients together, set the slow cooker and GO – That is, of course, after you give the veggies a quick saute, which deepens the natural flavors and makes them even more delicious!

Step 1. Drain soaking liquid from beans and set beans aside.

Step 2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Add onion, celery, carrot, and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.

Step 3. Add cooked vegetables, beans and all other remaining ingredients to a slow cooker.

Step 4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, until beans are cooked through.

Step 5. Serve over prepared white rice or cornbread.

How To Make Northern Bean and Ham Soup On The Stovetop

Similar to the slow cooker, but in a large pot, saute the vegetables until fragrant. Add the seasonings and saute another minute (this deepens their flavor).

• Add the soaked and drained beans, and all of the remaining ingredients into the pot.
• Bring to a boil and then turn down to a simmer on medium-low for 1 ½ – 2 hours, or until the beans are tender.
• Serve over rice, or cornbread.  
• Salt and black pepper to taste

How to Make Northern Bean & Ham Soup In The Instant Pot

Use the IP saute function to saute the vegetables in the instant pot until fragrant, then add the seasonings to the vegetables for another minute (this deepens their flavor).

• Add the soaked / drained beans, ham hock and all of the remaining ingredients.
• Lock the lid and make sure the release lever is turned to ‘sealing.’
• Cook on manual high pressure for 40 minutes.
• Allow a natural pressure release for another 20 minutes.
• When you remove the ham bone, you may have to cut the meat and then stir meat back in. Serve over rice or cornbread.
• Salt and black pepper to taste

FAQs About Northern Beans & Ham Soup

More Easy Soup Recipes

• Garlic White Bean Soup With Kale
• Chinese Vegetable Soup
• Red Lentil Vegetable Soup
• Hearty Minestrone Soup
• Homemade Tortilla Soup
• Cheeseburger Soup