Crockpot Ham and Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 1 onion, diced (200 g)
• 3 carrots, diced (180 g)
• 2 celery ribs, diced (120 g)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced (9 g)
• 2 cans cannellini beans, rinsed (850 g)
• 3 cups cooked ham, diced (425 g)
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (960 g)
• 1 cup water (240 g)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (1 g)
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (2 g)
• 1 bay leaf (1 g)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (1 g)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (30 g)

Instructions

1. Prep ingredients. Dice the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and ham into spoon-friendly pieces. Rinse the beans under cool water and drain well, so their canning liquid does not dilute the broth.
2. Load cooker. Put the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, beans, ham, broth, water, thyme, paprika, bay leaf, and pepper in a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Stir until everything is evenly combined and submerged.
3. Cook soup. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, keeping the lid closed. Alternatively, cook on high for 2 hours. Opening the lid repeatedly releases heat and can leave vegetables firmer than planned.
4. Test vegetables. Near the end, press a carrot against the insert with a spoon. It should yield easily. If firm, cover and cook for 20 minutes more, then remove and discard the bay leaf.
5. Add lemon. Turn off the cooker and stir in lemon juice. Taste before salting; ham and broth vary in saltiness. Add only a small pinch if the broth needs it. This keeps the flavor bright and the finished soup balanced.
6. Serve bowls. Ladle into six bowls, distributing ham, beans, vegetables, and broth evenly. Add parsley, scallions, or black pepper if desired. Serve immediately with bread, crackers, rice, or a simple salad.

Notes

• Use a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker so there is room to stir without splashing. Smaller inserts can become full once vegetables and beans are added.
• A ham bone is optional; add it with broth, then remove it before serving. Check remaining meat carefully for bone fragments.
• For thicker soup, mash beans against the insert wall, then stir them back in. This adds body without another pan.

Nutrition Facts