There’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting bowl of ham and bean soup, especially as the weather turns chilly. Imagine creating this hearty dish in your Instant Pot, transforming simple ingredients into a rich, flavorful meal in a fraction of the time traditional methods require. Forget the tedious overnight bean soaking; with this Instant Pot recipe, you can enjoy a deeply satisfying, home-cooked ham and bean soup with unprecedented ease and speed. It’s not just a meal; it’s a comforting experience, perfect for busy weeknights or a lazy Sunday afternoon when you crave a taste of tradition without the fuss.
The season for warm, soul-soothing ham and bean soup is upon us, and thanks to the magic of the pressure cooker, you can enjoy this classic dish faster than ever before. This recipe leverages the efficiency of the Instant Pot to deliver a deeply satisfying meal in under two hours, completely eliminating the need for an overnight bean soak. So, go ahead and prepare your favorite cornbread or beer bread; dinner will be ready before you know it!
Mastering Leftover Ham: From Holiday Feast to Hearty Soup
For many, ham is reserved for special occasions or holidays, a centerpiece dish enjoyed once or twice a year. However, in our home, ham is a versatile star that brings joy to the dinner table far more often. I vividly recall the surprise on a friend’s face when he joined us for dinner on a seemingly ordinary Tuesday night, only to find a perfectly cooked spiral ham awaiting him. We certainly appreciate a good ham, but the real treasure, for us, lies in its incredible leftovers!
The beauty of a cooked ham extends far beyond the initial meal. Its succulent meat can elevate a simple sandwich into a gourmet experience, making store-bought lunch meat pale in comparison. But perhaps the most valuable component of a holiday ham, often overlooked, is the bone. This savory cornerstone is practically begging to be transformed into a rich and flavorful ham and bean soup.
Historically, my go-to method for preparing ham and beans involved the slow cooker. This approach yields a wonderfully tender, long-simmered soup, ideal for a workday when you want dinner to cook itself. However, it typically requires pre-soaking the beans, adding a small layer of planning to the process. While effective, I was eager to find a way to achieve that same deep flavor and creamy texture with even greater convenience.
My recent upgrade to a 6-quart Instant Pot revolutionized my cooking routine. Naturally, I couldn’t wait to adapt my beloved ham and beans recipe to this faster, pressure-cooking method. The results were nothing short of spectacular! Starting with dry beans, a handful of simple seasonings, and a meaty ham hock, I achieved a rich, flavorful soup without any prior planning.
For optimal texture and flavor, I prefer to add fresh ham towards the end of the cooking process. After an initial hour of high-pressure cooking, I carefully removed the ham bone and bay leaf, then stirred in diced, cubed ham. A mere 5 additional minutes of pressure cooking is all it takes to achieve incredibly soft, tender beans, a luxuriously creamy broth, and perfectly cooked ham pieces. This strategic timing ensures that while the beans become wonderfully tender and release their starches to thicken the soup, the ham remains moist and flavorful, never overcooked. Don’t forget to get those corn muffins or beer bread baking in the oven; you’ll want them ready to soak up every last drop of this delicious soup!
Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Ham and Beans
Why is the cook time longer than some Instant Pot bean recipes?
You might notice that the suggested cook time for the beans in this recipe is a bit longer than what some Instant Pot guides recommend. This extended cooking duration is a deliberate choice, designed to make the beans incredibly buttery soft – precisely how we love them in this comforting soup. This extra time allows some of the beans to gently break down, naturally thickening the broth and contributing to a rich, creamy consistency that is utterly delicious.
If you prefer your beans with a little more bite or chew, feel free to slightly reduce the initial pressure cooking time. To ensure that the ham itself isn’t overcooked during this longer bean cooking process, we cook the beans with the ham bone (for maximum flavor infusion into the broth) but reserve the cubed ham meat to be added in the final stages. This method ensures both perfectly tender beans and succulent ham.
While this recipe prides itself on being a “no-soak” method, if you’re looking to significantly reduce the overall cooking time, pre-soaking your beans would indeed help. You could soak them in the morning before work and then quickly prepare dinner upon returning home, shaving off some pressure cooking time without sacrificing flavor.
How do you thicken ham and beans soup?
This recipe naturally yields a beautifully thick ham and bean soup, largely thanks to the slightly longer cooking time which allows the beans to release their starches. However, if you find your broth to be thinner than your preferred consistency, there’s a simple trick: just mash a few of the cooked beans against the side of the Instant Pot with a spoon. The starch released from the mashed beans will quickly work to thicken and creamify the broth, creating that perfect, hearty texture. Keep in mind that the soup will also thicken naturally as it cools, and leftovers will often have an even richer, thicker consistency.
What if my soup is too thick?
On the flip side, if you open your Instant Pot and discover that your ham and bean soup is thicker than you desire, don’t worry! This is an easy fix. Simply stir in a little extra water or, for added flavor, some chicken or vegetable stock, until you achieve your preferred consistency. Add gradually, stir well, and assess before adding more to ensure you don’t over-dilute the flavor.
Can I add carrots or celery to my soup?
Absolutely! While our preferred version of ham and bean soup truly lets the star ingredients – ham and beans – shine, it’s incredibly adaptable to your taste. If you enjoy a more vegetable-rich soup, feel free to add chopped carrots and celery to the mix. Simply toss them into your Instant Pot along with the dry beans and ham bone at the beginning of the cooking process, and let the pressure cooker work its magic. They will become tender and infuse the broth with their subtle sweetness.
You can also experiment with additional herbs and spices to customize the flavor profile. Some enjoy a subtle hint of cloves, a gentle kick from red pepper flakes, or the earthy aroma of thyme in their broth. A pinch of smoked paprika can also add an extra layer of depth. Feel free to adjust to your personal preference!
Can I use different beans in my ham and bean soup?
Of course! This recipe is quite flexible when it comes to bean choice. While Great Northern beans are traditional and lend a wonderful creaminess, you can certainly substitute them with pinto beans, navy beans, cannellini beans, or even a pre-mixed “15 bean soup” blend. The basic cooking directions and approach will remain largely the same, though you might observe slight variations in final texture or consistency depending on the specific type of bean chosen. Always ensure the beans are fully cooked and tender before serving.
Can I make ham and bean soup without a ham bone?
Yes, absolutely! While a meaty ham bone adds an unparalleled depth and richness to the broth, it is entirely possible to create a wonderfully delicious ham and bean soup without it. If you don’t have a leftover ham bone, you can purchase pre-cubed ham or dice a few ham steaks to provide the savory ham flavor. However, to compensate for the missing bone, I highly recommend using a rich, flavorful chicken broth or even a good quality ham broth in place of plain water. This will significantly help in building that deep, savory base that makes ham and bean soup so comforting. You can also add a tablespoon of ham base or bouillon for an extra boost of ham flavor.
Elevate Your Soup: Delicious Optional Add-ins
While we truly adore this ham and bean soup recipe just as it’s written – simple, allowing the robust flavors of ham and beans to truly shine – it’s also wonderfully versatile for customization. Don’t hesitate to experiment with additional vegetables or seasonings to make it uniquely yours.
For a richer vegetable medley, feel free to toss in some chopped celery and carrots alongside the onion at the beginning of the cooking process. These additions will soften beautifully under pressure and infuse the broth with an extra layer of sweetness and aroma. Another fantastic option for adding a rustic, “15-bean soup” feel is to stir in a can of diced tomatoes. However, a crucial tip to remember: always wait until the beans are fully cooked and tender before incorporating any acidic ingredients like tomatoes. Adding acid too early in the cooking process can sometimes prevent beans from softening properly, resulting in a tougher texture. So, be mindful of this timing to ensure perfectly tender beans every time!
Beyond vegetables, consider enhancing the spice profile. A pinch of dried thyme or a bay leaf can add an earthy note (ensure to remove the bay leaf before serving). For those who enjoy a subtle warmth, a tiny dash of cayenne pepper or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes can introduce a pleasant heat without overpowering the delicate ham flavor. A teaspoon of smoked paprika can also add a delightful smoky depth. These small additions can transform the soup, offering new dimensions of flavor to explore.
Storage and Reheating Tips
This Instant Pot ham and bean soup is not only delicious freshly made but also fantastic for meal prepping. Store any leftover soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator, where it will remain fresh and flavorful for up to a week. The flavors often meld and deepen overnight, making the leftovers even more delightful!
For longer storage, ham and bean soup freezes exceptionally well. Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to 3-4 months without significant loss of quality. For ultimate convenience, freeze individual portions in single-serve containers. This makes for effortless, ready-to-heat lunches or quick dinners on busy days. To reheat, simply defrost the soup overnight in the refrigerator, then warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through. Add a splash of water or broth if it has thickened too much during storage.
Instant Pot Ham and Beans Soup
Carlee
12
Servings
10
1
5
1
15
Ingredients
-
2
pounds
dry great northern beans -
2
teaspoons
garlic powder -
1½
teaspoons
salt -
1
teaspoon
ground black pepper -
1
bay leaf -
1
meaty ham bone -
8
cups
water -
1
large onion
chopped -
1½
cups
ham
in about half inch cubes
Instructions
-
Place 2 pounds dry great northern beans, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1½ teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 bay leaf, 1 meaty ham bone, 8 cups water, and 1 large chopped onion in your Instant Pot. Cover with water.
-
Cook on high pressure for 1 hour, then quick release the pressure.
-
Remove bone and bay leaf.
-
Stir in 1½ cups ham (cubed) and pressure cook for another 5 minutes. Quick release the steam again.
-
Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking. Serve with cornbread or beer bread if desired.
Notes
Store leftover soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to a week. Ham and bean soup also freezes really well for longer preservation.
For convenient future lunches, freeze the soup in individual, single-serve portions. Simply defrost the soup overnight in the refrigerator, then warm up gently on the stovetop or in the microwave when you’re ready to enjoy it!
Video
Nutrition Information
Serving:
1
serving
|
Calories:
305
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
48
g
|
Protein:
21
g
|
Fat:
4
g
|
Saturated Fat:
1
g
|
Polyunsaturated Fat:
1
g
|
Monounsaturated Fat:
1
g
|
Cholesterol:
11
mg
|
Sodium:
518
mg
|
Potassium:
1120
mg
|
Fiber:
16
g
|
Sugar:
2
g
|
Vitamin A:
2
IU
|
Vitamin C:
5
mg
|
Calcium:
142
mg
|
Iron:
4
mg
“Cooking With Carlee” is not a dietitian or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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