Classic Ham and Bean Soup

 

Because this one’s a hearty classic you’ll want to bring back!

🛒 Ingredients:

↪️8 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or sub beef, veggie broth, or water for your preferred flavor)

↪️1 ham bone with meat, ham hocks, or 1 lb cooked sausage/diced ham

↪️1 onion, diced

↪️1 clove garlic, minced

↪️1 tsp chili powder (optional for a little kick!)

↪️1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes

↪️1 lemon, juiced

↪️1 package Hurst’s 15 Bean Soup (don’t forget to discard the seasoning packet until later!)

↪️Optional: hot sauce or crushed red pepper to taste

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

✅️1. Prep the Beans:

Rinse and drain the beans well. Pick out any unwanted bits and set aside.

✅️2. Load the Crockpot:

In your slow cooker, add the beans, diced ham (or ham bone), onion, garlic, chili powder, and broth.

✅️3. Let It Simmer:

Cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4.5–5 hours, until the beans are perfectly tender.

✅️4. Finishing Touches:

If using a ham bone, remove it, chop up any meat, and stir it back in.

✅️5. Flavor Boost:

Add the diced tomatoes, the Ham Flavor packet, and fresh lemon juice.

✅️6. Final Simmer:

Let it cook for another 30 minutes, then serve hot!

💡 3 Tips to Level Up Your Ham & Bean Soup:

1. Don’t Skip the Lemon! 🍋

A splash of lemon juice brightens the whole soup and balances the salty ham.

2. Make It Spicy! 🌶️

Add crushed red pepper or hot sauce during the final 30 minutes for a flavorful kick.

3. Better the Next Day: 🥄

This soup is even tastier the next day — the flavors get deeper and richer!