Slow-Cooker Ham and 12 Bean Soup

Slow-Cooker Ham and 12 Bean Soup is a meal that really sticks to your ribs and warms you down to your toes. Chunks of hearty vegetables and ham in a think, rich broth makes this the perfect soup for a brisk Fall day. The whole meal costs less than $10 and makes 6 servings. You just can’t beat that!

Ham and 12 Bean Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 -16 ounce bag 12 Bean soup mix (found in the dry bean section of your grocery store)
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
• 2 stalks of celery with leaves, chopped
• 1 tablespoon of garlic, minced
• 2 ham shanks (or ham bones with meat)
• 32 ounce vegetable stock (or chicken stock)
• 1 -12 ounce beer
• 1 cup of water
• salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon of Italian Seasoning

How to make Ham and 12 Bean Soup?

Open the bag of beans and throw away the seasoning packet. Put the beans in a bowl of water and soak them overnight in the refrigerator. OR put the beans in a dutch oven with 8 cups of water and boil them for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and allow them to sit in the hot water for one hour. This is the quick cook method and is usually what I do.

The 12 bean mixture will have a variety of beans, I think this is more flavorful than using just one type of bean. But you can certainly use what you like or what you have on-hand.

While the beans are soaking in hot water, chop your veggies and put them in the slow-cooker.

Add the minced garlic, ham shanks, Italian Seasoning, salt and pepper.

Once the beans have soaked for an hour, drain them and add them to the slow-cooker along with the vegetable stock, beer and water. Stir all together.

Cover the slow-cooker and cook on low for 8 hours, stirring once or twice throughout the cooking time. The soup will become thick and the meat will easily come off of the bones.

Before serving, remove the bones from the soup and stir. Cornbread is a wonderful accompaniment to this hearty soup. I served it with wheat crackers and Caesar Salad. Slow-Cooker Ham and 12 Bean Soup is hearty and delicious, and so very affordable, too!