15 Bean Soup Mix Recipe (with Ham)

5 from 4 votes

15 Bean Soup Mix Recipe (with Ham)

Traditional 15 Bean Soup with Ham is a hearty soup perfect for a comforting meal. It comes together in one pot (even a crockpot!). Savor a blend of 15 beans and peas, succulent ham, and a medley of aromatic vegetables; all simmered to perfection in a flavorful broth. Enjoy!

Prep Time20

Cook Time2 10

Total Time2 40

Course: Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: Italian/ American

Keyword: 15 bean soup, bean and ham soup, bean soup

Servings: -10 servings

Author: Elena Davis

Ingredients

1 package 15 Bean Soup Mix 567g includes a variety of dried beans and peas- see notes
1 smoked ham hock or ham bone with some meat on it
1 onion chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
2 carrots diced
2 stalks celery diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon ground chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Kosher salt to taste
4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
4 cups water
Optional: red pepper flakes for added heat
Chopped fresh parsley for serving

Instructions

Prepare the Beans: Sort through the beans and remove any debris or stones. Rinse the beans thoroughly under cold water and soak them overnight in a large water bowl. Alternatively, you can use the quick soak method by boiling them for 2 minutes and then letting them sit, covered, for an hour.
Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 8-10 minutes or until the vegetables begin to soften.
Add the Ham: Add the ham hock and bay leaf to the pot. Add the water and broth to a large pot if using smoked ham hock. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cover. Cook for 1 hour. If you are using a ham bone, leftover ham, or smoked sausage, add them at the same time as the beans in step 5 (since they are already cooked) and add the liquids then.
Drain and Rinse the Beans: Drain and rinse the soaked beans.
Combine Ingredients: Add the drained beans and diced tomatoes (with their juices). Add the chili powder, cumin, thyme, red pepper flakes (if using), lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together.
Simmer: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally and check the water level to ensure the beans are covered with liquid. Add more broth or water if needed.
Remove Ham Hock/Bone: Remove the ham hock or bone once the beans are tender and the soup has thickened. Shred any meat from the bone and return it to the soup. Discard the bone.
Season and Serve: Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed. Remove the bay leaf. Serve hot and enjoy!
This traditional 15 Bean Soup with Ham is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with a side of cornbread or crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Notes

15 bean soup mix is a bag with different varieties of dry beans. It doesn’t need to be precisely 15! Hurst’s and Goya are two popular brands. Bob’s Red Mill makes a 13 Bean Soup Mix you can use. If your mix comes with a seasoning packet, discard the packet and only use the beans then use this recipe.

Nutrition