By the time holiday cooking winds down, and sometimes even before the leftovers are gone, I’m more than ready for a break from turkey and cooking. This slow-cooked ham and lima bean soup is easy to make. It needs very little prep and cooks itself while you go about your day. I found the original version of this soup at our local farmers’ market at a stand selling dried lima beans. Over time, I adapted it to fit our busy home life. Moving it to the slow cooker was the biggest improvement. It’s such a comfort to walk in the door and have dinner almost done.
Hearty Slow Cooker Lima Bean Soup with Ham
Ingredients
Instructions
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Rinse and soak lima beans overnight.
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Drain and rinse the lima beans again
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Place beans, ham hock, water, onion, celery (cut in thirds), and bay leaves in a slow cooker on high for about 4 to 5 hours, until the beans are starting to get soft.
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When ham is falling off the bone, remove it from the pot to cool.
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Remove large pieces of onion, large pieces of celery, and bay leaves.
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When the ham is cool enough to handle, remove the skin, bone, and any large pieces of fat. Cut into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
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Add carrots, garlic, and chopped celery, and simmer for 1 to 2 hours more.
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Return the ham to the pot during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
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Continue cooking until the beans are soft.
Note
Tips
The easiest way to remove the onions, large celery pieces, and bay leaves is with tongs. Place a strainer over a bowl, catch the solids, and then pour the broth back into the slow cooker.
Cook time for dried beans can vary significantly. It often depends on how long they have been stored.
When checking for doneness, test several beans; some cook faster than others.
Serve with warm, crusty bread to soak up every bit of broth.
This soup tastes even better the next day if it lasts that long.
Grocery List by Department
Produce
4 medium onions
2–3 celery stalks + 1 extra stalk
2–3 carrots
2 cloves garlic
Meat
1 large meaty ham hock
Dry Goods / Pantry
3 cups (1 pound) dried large lima beans
Bay leaves
Chicken Better-Than-Bouillon
Salt (if needed)
Beverages / Canned Goods
Water (7 cups; noted for convenience)
Note
When the week feels long, the weather is cold, and I just need dinner to take care of itself, this soup is one of my go-tos. I let the slow cooker do the work, and we all enjoy a bowl of something warm, comforting, and homemade.
