Soup season is upon us and what better way to usher in those chilly evenings than with a heartwarming and budget-friendly dish? Enter the Budget-Friendly 15-Bean Soup Mix with Ham Bone. A fusion of flavors and textures, it’s a dish that's as comforting as it is delicious. You can cook it fast in the pressure cooker, on the stove top for a couple of hours, or at your leisure in the crockpot.
Jump to:
- WHAT'S TO LOVE ABOUT THIS RECIPE
- WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE 15 BEAN SOUP
- A FEW INGREDIENT NOTES
- SUBSTITUTIONS
- VARIATIONS
- EQUIPMENT
- PRO COOKING TIPS
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- HOW TO MAKE EASY 15 BEAN SOUP
- Need leftover ham? Try one of these ham recipes!
- Budget Friendly 15-Bean Soup Mix with Ham Bone
- Looking for other soups or chowders like 15-Bean Soup?
- Comments
WHAT'S TO LOVE ABOUT THIS RECIPE
This 15-bean soup is more than just a new recipe to add to your collection.
- It's a delightful blend of beans that complement the savory taste of the leftover ham bone.
- The rich, deep flavors are enhanced by the seasoning packet, making each spoonful delicious.
- It is a hands-off soup. You do almost no work for all the reward.
MARY'S TWO CENTS
This bean soup fits perfectly into the "Cheap" category on OhThat'sGood, proof perfect that a delicious soup doesn’t have to burn a hole in your wallet.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE 15 BEAN SOUP
A few simple ingredients are all you need to make this Budget Friendly 15-Bean Soup Mix with Ham Bone.
For the full recipe with quantities, see the recipe card at the end of this post.
A FEW INGREDIENT NOTES
- 15 bean soup mix: This diverse bean blend includes black beans, navy beans, pink beans, pinto beans, black-eyed peas, white kidney beans, and more. It’s the heart of the soup, adding texture and flavor.
- Meaty ham bone: The key to extracting rich flavors. If you’ve got a leftover holiday ham bone, it's perfect for this recipe. Most ham bone, ham shank, etc are smoked. They do give quite a smokey flavor to the soup. If you don't like that, you can use a small packaged ham. Today's' price for a package of two small ham shanks is just $6.04.
- Seasoning packet: Enhances the soup's flavor depth. Don’t skip it!
SUBSTITUTIONS
- If you don’t have the seasoning packet, a combination of chili powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes can give a similar taste profile.
- Instead of water, you can use chicken broth or vegetable broth for added richness. Caveat: When using a soup base or broth, unless it is low sodium, always be careful to reduce or omit the salt until the soup is cooked enough to taste. Add more if needed.
- I highly recommend using chicken broth or ham broth. Yes, ham broth is a thing! My favorite brand is Better Than Bouillon Ham Base. It can be hard to find at the grocery store, but is easily available online. It is budget-friendly too. An 8 ounce jar costs just $5.69 and can last a long time and for many other uses.
VARIATIONS
- Andouille sausage: Add a spicy kick by including slices of Andouille sausage. I love this variation. The sausage works so well with the ham bone for adding extra flavor and that little kick of heat. I like things spicy, so I add a few drops of hot sauce to the soup at the table.
- Onion or peppers: you may add these raw for the last hour of cooking.
- Fresh parsley: I really like to garnish soups before serving. For a fresh touch add a little chopped parsley.
EQUIPMENT
A large pot with a lid like a Dutch oven is perfect for stovetop cooking. A slow cooker or an instant pot can be used if you'd like to make this soup with ease. Simply adjust the cooking time accordingly. Using a pressure cooker? It's a great way to cut down the time. Other than that, a wooden spoon for stirring is all you need.
PRO COOKING TIPS
- When simmering, ensure it's on medium heat to allow the flavors to meld without overcooking the beans. You can reduce it to a low heat after it starts to simmer if you want it to cook low and slow.
- If using a crock pot, I recommend extending the cooking time to extract maximum flavor from the ham bone. I set my crock pot to high and cook for six hours. If not done, cook it longer.
- Always season in stages. This ensures you don’t over-salt or over-spice. Especially important if uses broth or boullion.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes! It helps in preserving the freshness of the soup for the next day. Use or freeze within 2 days.
Most grocery stores carry it, particularly Hurst's Hambeens brand.
Sure! While the bone adds depth, ham steak can provide the meatiness.
You can freeze your ham bone after your ham dinner, then pull it out to thaw when ready to make your bean and ham soup. Once your ham dinner is finished, allow the ham bone to cool completely, then put it in a gallon-size freezer Ziploc bag, get as much air out as you can, close it, and pop it in the freezer. Pull it out of the freezer when you are ready to use it.
HOW TO MAKE EASY 15 BEAN SOUP
Step 1: Add ham bone and 8 cups of water to a stock pot, cover and boil for 1 hour.
Step 2: Add beans and seasoning packet.
Step 3: Add the garlic powder, salt and pepper. Replace the cover, and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes.
Step 4: Remove the ham bone from the pot, and cut or pull the meat off.
Step 5: Add the meat back to the pot, cover, and simmer for an additional hour.
Step 6: Remove from heat, and serve with crackers or crusty bread for a complete and filling meal.
I highly recommend topping your 15-Bean Soup with these Crispy Homemade Air Fryer Croutons.
Need leftover ham? Try one of these ham recipes!
Equipment
- 1 Large Dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot or slow cooker or pressure (InstantPot)
- 1 wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 10 ounce ½ bag 15 bean soup mix + flavoring packet from bean package
- 1 each meaty ham bone
- 4 cups water or broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Add ham bone and 4 cups of water to a stock pot, cover, and boil for 1 hour.
- Add beans and seasoning packet, garlic, salt and pepper. Replace the cover, and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes.
- Remove the ham bone from the pot, and cut off the meat.
- Add the meat back to the pot, cover, and simmer for an additional hour.
- Remove from heat, and serve with crackers or crusty bread for a complete and filling meal.
Notes
- Nutritional information may be inaccurate due to the nutrition app's inability to report data for the ham shank and bean soup mix. I added them manually from the nutritional information on the package.
- If you don't want as much smokey flavor from the ham, cook the first 30 minutes in water, then pour out the water, measuring the amount you poured off. Add that amount of water or broth back into the pot and continue cooking for the additional 30 minutes.
- If you want to add vegetables like onion or bell peppers, add them before the final 30 minutes of cooking to retain their shape and texture.
Nutrition
Looking for other soups or chowders like 15-Bean Soup?
Try these:
Cooking should be as enjoyable as eating. This easy 15-bean soup recipe ensures both. Whether you’ve been on the hunt for soup recipes that don’t break the bank or simply seeking great northern beans and large Lima bean combinations, this dish is for you. Garnish with a dash of lemon juice and serve it up in big bowls. From black beans to cranberry beans, every bite is packed with flavor. Even if you’re not a fan of yellow split peas or you’ve never tried bean blend soups, this is one recipe that’s bound to become a favorite. Here’s to heartwarming, pocketbook-friendly meals like my Lentil Soup.
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