15 Bean Soup Crock Pot Recipe

4.97 from 30 votes

Busy day? 15 Bean Soup in a crock pot is a set-it-and-forget-it comfort food meal! Our slow cooker ham and bean soup recipe is SO easy!

Prep Time5

Cook Time5 30

Course: Lunch, Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy calico beans, dried beans, bean soup, slow cooker beans, crock pot beans, 15 bean soup, hurst beans, 15 bean soup crock pot

Servings: servings

Calories: 263kcal

In a colander or sieve, rinse beans thoroughly. Sort and inspect for any unwanted debris and discard. Drain beans.
I prefer soaking my beans overnight or using a quick soak method (see notes) to ensure they are softened through. But you can make these beans with a no-soak method.
Add beans to the slow cooker with 8 cups of water or broth (6 cups if beans are presoaked), ham bone or hamhock, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and lemon juice..
Stir to combine. Set slow cooker to high for 5-7 hours. At the end of 5 hours, I recommend checking to see if the beans are tender. You can continue cooking the soup on warm until ready to serve.
After the beans are tender, remove the hambone (leave any ham in the pot) and remove any remaining meat from the bone.
I love serving bean soup with freshly baked corn bread! Or, serve it over rice.

For even more flavor, substitute beef, chicken or vegetable stock instead of water.
You can also try 1 lb. boneless chicken breasts or 1 lb. beef roast, then shred meat before Step 5 above.
You can add other vegetables like carrots & celery for even more flavor and nutrients
Remember that this is a NO SOAK recipe, but if you soaked the beans, use 6 cups of water or broth.
If you prefer a more "brothy" soup, increase the water or broth to 9 cups (for no soak beans) or 7 cups (for soaked beans).
To easily clean your slow cooker, fill it with a mixture of warm water, a few drops of dish soap, and a cup of vinegar, then let it soak for an hour before scrubbing gently with a non-abrasive sponge.

Recipe Variations:

Add other vegetables like carrots, celery, and potatoes.
Learn how to bake chicken tenderloins or other cooked meat for additional protein.
Replace the ham with sheet pan veggies and sausage for a smoky flavor.
For a vegetarian option, omit the ham and add extra vegetables, like diced bell peppers, squash, or mushrooms.

Storing Instructions:

In the fridge, store the 15 bean soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
In the freezer, It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let it cool down completely before transferring it to containers or freezer bags and freezing.
Stovetop: Place it in a pot and reheat it on the stovetop until warmed through.
Microwave: Transfer to a microwave-safe bowl and reheat in the microwave according to your microwave’s instructions.
Slow Cooker: Place it back into a crock pot and set it to Low power. Cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through.