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    Home » Recipes » Southern Recipes

    The Best Ham and Bean Soup. Ever.

    Updated Aug 8, 2022

    988 shares
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    The Best Ham + Bean Soup

    Ok, I'll confess. I've never really had "bad" Ham and Bean Soup. And I may or may not be too close to the project. But this simple and hearty Ham and Bean Soup is so comforting and easy to make, it has made the jump to the top of my list.

    A yellow patterned bowl of ham and bean soup, with a plate of cornbread in the background

     

    The Best Ham and Bean Soup. Ever. Like...ever.

    Our secret? A package of 15 Bean Soup Mix. Yep, if you haven't tried it, grab a bag or two. It is a pantry staple in our home and so handy to have around.

    Of course, we skipped the package directions and did our own thang, 'cause that's what we do. But you'll love it. Easy, filling, simple and savory. Another reason to make cornbread. Like we need another reason for that!

    This recipe is nothing fancy. There are no exotic ingredients. No advanced cooking techniques. This is simple country food at its very best.

    Ingredients Needed:

    • A Bag of 15 Bean Soup Dry Bean Mix - Keep the seasoning packet!
    • Water
    • Diced ham
    • Petite diced tomatoes
    • Onion
    • Celery
    • Garlic
    • Hot sauce
    • All purpose seasoning
    Mixed beans in the bottom of a pot

    If you don't have a 15 Bean Dry Mix in your local grocery store, feel free to mix and match your favorite dried beans. You can use northern beans, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, green split peas, and more.

    Love this mix, though. Makes my life easier.

    The recipe on the back of the package is awesome. Ours is just a little different, but based on the Quick-Cook Method. We made this recipe on a weeknight, and had it finished and ready to eat before our fave TV show came on.  (Gave us plenty of time to catch up on household chores while the bean soup was cooking.)

    How to Make Ham + Bean Soup:

    1. Rinse the beans well, then place in a large pot with 10 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover and cook at a very low boil for 1 hour. Stir the beans frequently.
    2. Stir in the remaining water, ham, tomatoes, onion, celery, garlic and hot sauce. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes or until the beans are tender.
    3. Add the seasoning packet and season to taste with your favorite all purpose seasoning blend. 
    A bowl full of ham and bean soup next to a spoon

    So what did we add to this Ham and Bean Soup? Simple ingredients like celery, tomatoes and ham. Of course, HAM. My BFF. I mean, bacon is really my BFF but don't tell ham. I've been juggling these boys for years.

    (Did  I mention this recipe is excellent for leftovers? Yep. Leftover veggies, ham or beans...toss them in. It will do.)

    May I make some cornbread recommendations for this Ham and Bean Soup?

    Cornbread #9

    Cornbread #18

    Cornbread #23

    Get the complete how-to on making this Best Ever Ham and Bean Soup this fall (and winter) at the end of this post. (Or Summer. Heck, this bean soup is great any time of year.)

    If you are looking for more Homemade Chili + Homemade Soup Recipes, CLICK HERE.

    Love this post? Sign up for the Buy This Cook That Newsletter for a weekly email of new content. You can also follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram for our latest + greatest ideas!

    Comforting. Classic. Simple and Savory. This is the best ever Ham and Bean Soup.

    The Best Ham and Bean Soup. Ever.

    4.89 from 9 votes
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    Calories

    Ingredients
      

    • 20 oz bag of 15 Bean Soup Dry Bean Mix keep the seasoning packet!
    • 14 cups or more of water, divided
    • 3 cups diced ham
    • 28 oz can petite diced tomatoes undrained
    • 1 medium onion peeled and chopped
    • 4 stalks celery chopped
    • 1 TB minced garlic
    • 1 TB hot sauce any
    • All purpose seasoning to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Rinse the beans well, then place in a large pot with 10 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover and cook at a very low boil for 1 hour. Stir the beans frequently.
    • Stir in the remaining water, ham, tomatoes, onion, celery, garlic and hot sauce. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes or until the beans are tender.
    • Add the seasoning packet and season to taste with your favorite all purpose seasoning blend. We LOVE So-La Seasonings. Get the link in our blog post.

    Notes

    This makes excellent leftovers.
    You can also add ½ cup of rice to this during the last 45 minutes. Just increase the amount of water by 1 cup or so.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
     

    More Southern Recipes

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    • Sausage Cornbread Dressing
    • Spicy Hot Southern Potato Salad
    • Deliciously Sweet + Dilly Pickled Onion Rings

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Monica | Nourish & Fete

      February 08, 2018 at 9:43 am

      5 stars
      I will absolutely have to look for this mix - it sounds like a phenomenal staple to keep on hand! I love knowing that a delicious soup like this is close at hands for busy nights!

      Reply
    2. Jessica Robinson

      February 08, 2018 at 9:51 am

      We love a great meal to keep us warm! This ham and bean soup looks so flavorful!

      Reply
      • Teri

        February 08, 2018 at 2:21 pm

        To me it has that right balance of flavor. Not too spicy, but definitely not bland.

        Reply
    3. Mairi

      February 08, 2018 at 9:54 am

      5 stars
      This looks absolutely wonderful! Real delicious and hearty food is where its at. Perfect for the winter 🙂

      Reply
      • Teri

        February 08, 2018 at 2:22 pm

        We have had a snap of cold weather again here in Tennessee, and I'm going to put a pot of this on over the weekend.

        Reply
    4. Shadi Hasanzadenemati

      February 08, 2018 at 10:19 am

      5 stars
      I love soup, especially in winter! This one looks really tasty!

      Reply
      • Teri

        February 08, 2018 at 2:22 pm

        Thank you, Shadi. Hope you have a chance to try it.

        Reply
    5. Jaime

      February 08, 2018 at 10:34 am

      This looks great! I love recipes that don't call for fancy ingredients. There is nothing worse than buying a whole container of something that you wont use again.

      Reply
      • Teri

        February 08, 2018 at 2:22 pm

        Agreed. Sometimes the best food is the simplest.Plus my kids LOVE this.

        Reply
    6. Helena

      February 08, 2018 at 1:50 pm

      5 stars
      Yum, this is the type of soup I prefer eating most often. Particularly when it is cold outside. Great recipe!

      Reply
      • Teri

        February 08, 2018 at 2:23 pm

        Thank you, Helena. I love it with cornbread, of course. 🙂

        Reply

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