Can I use dried beans without soaking them for navy bean and ham soup?

Yes, you can use dried navy beans without soaking them, but rinsing and picking through the beans to remove any debris is important. Skipping the soak will increase the cooking time slightly, so expect the slow cooker to run 7 to 9 hours on low. Soaking beans for several hours or overnight can help reduce cooking time and improve digestibility, but it is not required for this recipe.

What’s the best substitute if I don’t have a ham bone for the soup?

If you don’t have a leftover ham bone, ham hocks or a smoked ham shank purchased from the store work well as substitutes. These add rich smoky flavor and saltiness similar to the bone. If you want a vegetarian version, you can use vegetable broth and add smoked paprika for flavor, although it won’t taste quite the same.

Should I use fresh garlic or jarred minced garlic in slow cooker navy bean soup?

Jarred minced garlic is recommended for slow cooker recipes because fresh garlic can lose its flavor when cooked for many hours. Adding minced garlic from a jar helps maintain a consistent garlic flavor throughout the cooking process. If you prefer fresh garlic, add it toward the end of cooking to retain more of its sharpness.

How can I keep the vegetables from becoming too soft in crockpot navy bean and ham soup?

To avoid mushy vegetables, add carrots and celery later in the cooking process—about halfway through or during the last 2 hours. This allows the vegetables to cook to tender but still maintain some texture. You can also chop them into larger pieces so they hold up better during the long cooking time.

What herbs and seasonings work best in ham and navy bean soup?

Bay leaves, dried parsley, celery salt, dry mustard powder, black pepper, and hot pepper sauce are classic seasonings that complement the flavors. You can substitute prepared mustard for dry mustard powder if preferred. Adjust seasoning at the end of cooking, especially salt, since the ham adds natural saltiness. Adding fresh parsley after cooking brightens the flavor.

Crockpot Navy Bean And Ham Soup Recipe For Hearty Meals

Name: Crockpot Navy Bean And Ham Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-491284H53M15S
Total time: 8 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: – 1 pound dried navy beans rinsed and picked over; – 1 large smoked ham bone, ham hock, or ham shank; – 2 cups shredded, julienned, or diced carrots; – 1 medium rib of sliced celery; – 4 cloves of minced garlic; – 7 cups low-sodium chicken broth or stock; – 2 bay leaves; – 1 tablespoon dried parsley; – ½ teaspoon celery salt; – ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder; – Black pepper to taste; – Several dashes of hot pepper sauce

Description

🍲 Enjoy a comforting, protein-rich soup that simmers all day while you go about your busy life
🥄 Perfect for cold weather days – this hearty soup delivers satisfying flavor with minimal effort

Ingredients

– 1 pound dried navy beans rinsed and picked over

– 1 large smoked ham bone, ham hock, or ham shank

– 2 cups shredded, julienned, or diced carrots

– 1 medium rib of sliced celery

– 4 cloves of minced garlic

– 7 cups low-sodium chicken broth or stock

– 2 bay leaves

– 1 tablespoon dried parsley

– ½ teaspoon celery salt

– ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder

– Black pepper to taste

– Several dashes of hot pepper sauce

Instructions

1-Rinse 1 pound of dried navy beans and pick over them to remove any debris; you can soak them overnight if you want to speed things up, but it’s not a must.

2-Add the rinsed beans, 1 large smoked ham bone or equivalent, 2 cups of prepared carrots, 1 medium rib of sliced celery, and 4 cloves of minced garlic to your crockpot.

3-Pour in 7 cups of low-sodium chicken broth, then toss in 2 bay leaves, 1 tablespoon of dried parsley, ½ teaspoon of celery salt, ½ teaspoon of dry mustard powder, black pepper to taste, and a few dashes of hot pepper sauce.

4-Cover and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours until the beans are tender and everything smells amazing.

5-Remove the ham bone, shred the meat from it, and toss out the bone and fat; partially blend the soup with an immersion blender for creaminess, but keep most beans whole.

6-Stir the shredded ham back in, and if you like, add 1 to 2 cups of extra diced ham for more heartiness.

7-Heat through and serve; a little splash of apple cider vinegar can make it taste even brighter if you’re in the mood for a twist.

Notes

🥕 Soak beans overnight for faster cooking and easier digestion, or use the quick-soak method
🍖 Save ham bones from holiday meals in the freezer for this recipe – they add incredible flavor
🌿 Add a splash of apple cider vinegar at serving time to brighten the flavors and enhance bean digestibility

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours on low
Category: Soup
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 344
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 571
Fat: 3
Saturated Fat: 1
Unsaturated Fat: 1.5
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 56
Fiber: 14
Protein: 26
Cholesterol: 15

Keywords: slow cooker soup, ham bean soup, hearty comfort, navy beans