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Cozy Crockpot Ham and Bean Soup Recipe Using Easter Ham Bone Made Easy

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A comforting slow-cooked soup made from leftover Easter ham bone and navy beans, simmered to perfection in a crockpot for a rich, smoky flavor and hearty texture.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 leftover Easter ham bone with some meat clinging on
  • 1 ½ cups dried navy beans (about 300 grams), soaked overnight or quick-soaked
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or a few fresh sprigs
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth (about 1.4 liters or 48 fl oz)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Salt, use sparingly

Instructions

  1. If soaked overnight, drain and rinse the navy beans. For quick soak, pour boiling water over beans in a bowl, cover, and let sit for 1 hour. Drain and rinse before use.
  2. Dice the yellow onion, carrots, and celery. Mince the garlic cloves.
  3. Place the ham bone in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the soaked beans, chopped vegetables, minced garlic, bay leaves, and thyme.
  4. Pour in 6 cups of low-sodium chicken broth. Season lightly with freshly ground black pepper. Hold off on adding salt until the end.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 8–10 hours or on high for 4–5 hours until beans are tender and ham bone has infused flavor.
  6. Remove the ham bone carefully and set aside to cool slightly.
  7. Pick off any remaining meat from the ham bone, shred into bite-sized pieces, and return to the soup.
  8. Stir in 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to brighten flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  9. Let the soup cook uncovered for another 15–20 minutes to meld flavors and thicken slightly.
  10. Serve hot, ladled into bowls.

Notes

Soaking the beans is essential for better digestibility and shorter cooking time. Add apple cider vinegar at the end to brighten flavors. If soup is too thick, add broth or water to loosen. Extend cooking time if beans are still firm. For stove-top cooking, simmer gently for 2–3 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: ham and bean soup, crockpot soup, leftover ham recipe, slow cooker soup, navy beans, comfort food, easy soup recipe, Easter leftovers

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/cozy-crockpot-ham-and-bean-soup-recipe-using-easter-ham-bone-made-easy/