• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
A Mind "Full" Mom
  • Recipe Index
    • Breakfast Recipes
    • Main Courses
      • 30-Minute Meals
      • Easy Pork Recipes
      • Beef Recipes
      • Soup, Stew, and Chili Recipes
      • Sandwiches, Burgers, and Wraps
      • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Instant Pot
    • Appetizers
    • Beverage Recipes
    • Breads and Muffins
    • Allergy Friendly Recipes
      • Dairy Free
      • Gluten Free
      • Paleo
      • Vegan
      • Low Carb
    • Pasta
    • Snacks
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
  • Instant Pot
    • Start Here: Instant Pot 101
    • All Instant Pot Recipes
    • Healthy Instant Pot Recipes
    • Sign Up for Instant Pot Tips and Recipes
  • About Me
    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Cystic Fibrosis
  • Free Instant Pot Secrets
  • Free Meal Plans
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Instant Pot
  • About Me
  • Free Instant Pot Secrets
  • Free Meal Plans
  • Subscribe to Newsletters
  • Recipes
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Real Food » Instant Pot » Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup

    Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup

    By Kristen Chidsey | 91 Comments | Published April 7, 2020 | Updated September 18, 2020 *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Pin
    Share
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    This easy Instant Pot Bean Soup is an old fashioned recipe for ham and bean soup made with a ham hock, dried beans, and a rich stock. It is a super easy, frugal recipe that comes together in record time in the Instant Pot. This flavorful bean soup is the best way to use up leftover ham after Easter, or Christmas dinner.

    Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup is a delicious and hearty soup that is not only made for pennies but also cooks up in record time thanks to the pressure cooker.  Made with dried beans, a rich stock, and a leftover ham bone, this soup is filled with incredible flavor and comes together effortlessly. 

    Whenever you have a leftover ham bone from Baked Ham, this comforting soup is a MUST make!

    Bowl of Ham and Bean Soup next to Instant Pot

    After every holiday, my mom or my grandpa would make a big batch of Ham and Bean soup from our leftover ham bone. It would simmer on the stove for hours, tempting our taste buds all day long.

    I use the same recipe for Ham and Bean Soup passed down through generations, but  I have sped up the process of making this soup by using the pressure cooker. It is just as tasty as the original, but SO much faster.

    Tender white beans and chunks of ham swimming in a rich, smoky broth--this Instant Pot Ham and Bean soup truly is comfort food.

    It also happens to be a super frugal meal. Dried beans and a leftover ham bone are the base of this soup. And those humble ingredients turn into something quite spectacular when married together with a few herbs and vegetables.

    Ingredients for Ham and Bean Soup

    • Dried White Northern Beans--This recipe is for unsoaked dried beans, but there are modifications included for making this soup with soaked beans and canned beans.
    • Water and Chicken Stock--Because ham bones can be very salty, you only want to use both stock and water or simply water in this soup recipe.
    • Ham Bone/Ham Hock--a leftover ham bone is perfect for this soup, but you can purchase a smoked ham hock to make Ham and Bean soup as well. Tip: If using a bone from a Honey Baked Ham, be sure to remove any pieces of ham with glaze-or your soup will end up on the sweeter side. 
    • Celery, Onions, Carrots--This trinity of veggies is a classic base to most soup recipes. Feel free to omit one if you have picky eaters. And both red and yellow onions work!
    • Fresh Herbs--Bay leaves, fresh thyme, and garlic add the perfect herbal tones to the soup. adds an herbal tone to this soup.
    • Seasoned Salt--a perfect blend of seasonings that adds just the right amount of flavor and salt to this soup recipe.

    How to Make Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup

    • Turn Instant Pot to saute and let heat up.
    • Add in oil and carrots, onions, and celery and saute until onions begin to soften.
    • Add in garlic and saute for 30 seconds and then turn the Instant Pot off.
    • Add in stock and scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the inner pot to avoid a burn warning.
    • Add the remaining ingredients, except for the salt, into the pressure cooker.
    • Place lid on the pressure cooker and be sure vent knob is pointed to sealed.
    • Set cook time by pressing pressure cook or manual (be sure pressure is set to HIGH) and use the +/- keys to adjust the time to 45 minutes.
    • It will take 10-15 minutes for pressure to be reached.
    • Once cook time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally--resist the urge to do a quick release, as the instant pot is filled with starchy liquid that may spew all over your kitchen and you risk burning yourself. It usually takes 10-20 minutes for pressure to fully release.
    • Remove and discard bay leaf and thyme sprigs.
    • Remove ham bone/ham hock and if desired, pick off meat from ham bone and stir into soup.
    • Add seasoned salt to taste and enjoy!

    Ingredients for Ham and Bean Soup in Pressure Cooker

    Storing Ham and Bean Soup

    This soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

    To Freeze Ham and Bean Soup, be sure to let the soup cool completely. Once cooled, place in 4-8 cup portions and place in freezer-safe bags or freezer-safe containers. Defrost slowly in the fridge overnight and heat to serve. Add a bit more stock or water to thin out the soup if it seems thick.

    Bowl of Ham and Bean Soup with Carrots and Celery

    Instant Pot Soup Recipes

    • Instant Pot Potato Soup
    • Instant Pot Beef and Barley Soup
    • Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana
    • Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
    • Instant Pot Tomato Soup
    • Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup

    If you enjoyed this Ham and Bean Soup made in the Instant Pot, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below. 

    Ham and Bean Soup in Bowl

    Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup

    Ham and Bean Soup is made in a fraction of the time with the help of the pressure cooker! This Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup is a delicious, easy, and hearty way to use a ham bone! 
    4.94 from 61 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Pressure Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 183kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • ½ tablespoon canola or olive oil
    • ½ cup diced onions
    • 2 stalks celery thinly, sliced
    • ½ cup diced carrots
    • 2 garlic cloves minced
    • 2 cups chicken stock or additional water
    • 2 cups dried white northern beans
    • 4 cups water
    • 1 ham bone or smoked ham hock
    • 6 ounces tomato sauce
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 1 sprig of fresh thyme
    • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
    • 1 teaspoon pepper
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • Turn Instant Pot to saute and let heat up for a minute or two.
    • Add in oil, onions, celery, and carrots and saute for 3-4 minutes, or until onions have become soft and translucent. Add in garlic and saute for another 30 seconds. Turn instant pot OFF.
    • Add in the chicken stock into the inner pot and scrape up any browned bits from bottom of inner pot.
    • Rinse the dried beans and look through beans to be sure there are no stray rocks.
    • Add water, ham bone, beans, carrots, onions, celery, tomato sauce, bay leaf, thyme, and pepper to Instant Pot. 
    • Place lid on pressure cooker and turn vent knob to sealed. Set cook time to 45 minutes on HIGH pressure. (Hit manual/pressure cook button and then use +/- keys to adjust time to 45 minutes).
    • After cook time has elapsed, let pressure release naturally. This can take 15-20 minutes. 
    • Open lid and remove ham bone, bay leaf, and thyme sprigs. 
    • Remove ham from bone and stir into soup along with the seasoned salt. Adjust seasonings to taste and serve.

    Equipment Needed

    • Electric Pressure Cooker (6 or 8 quart)

    Notes

    • In place of fresh thyme sprigs, use 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves.
    • If using a bone from a Honey Baked Ham, be sure to remove any pieces of ham with glaze-or your soup will end up on the sweeter side. 
    • If you use soaked dried beans, decrease the water to 3 cups and cook time to 35 minutes.
    • If you use canned beans, decrease the water to 2 cups and adjust cook time to 20 minutes. Decrease the seasoned salt to ¼ teaspoon.
    • This soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    • To Freeze Ham and Bean Soup: Cool completely. Once cooled, place in 4-8 cup portions and place in freezer-safe bags or freezer-safe containers. Defrost slowly in the fridge overnight and heat to serve. Add a bit more stock or water to thin out the soup if it seems thick.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 183kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 1125mg | Potassium: 706mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 380IU | Vitamin C: 6.8mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 3mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!
    This recipe was originally published in 2018 but has been updated in 2020 with new tips.
    Pin
    Share
    « How to Make Chicken Stock in In the Instant Pot
    Monte Cristo Sandwich »

    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Suzanne

      May 26, 2022 at 3:13 pm

      I made the Bean soup today in my instant pot. Turned out great but how can I thicken it a bit?
      Thanks.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 26, 2022 at 7:52 pm

        Hi Suzanne! So glad you enjoyed this soup. You can thicken it up by blending 1 cup of the beans with broth and then mix back into the soup. Alternatively, you can turn the IP to saute and let the soup simmer with the lid off to evaporate some of the liquid.

        Reply
    2. Nichole

      May 05, 2022 at 3:19 pm

      5 stars
      Love the simplicity of this soup, it was so good. I used what I had in my pantry- dried black eyed peas- cause its what I had. Cubed ham (it needed to be used) I also tossed in a bag of the Great Value Seasoning Blend chopped frozen veggies- onions, celery, green peppers and parsley flakes- I asked myself- could this be easier? No, it was so easy. Loved that I could used dried beans in this in my instapot, and they were delicious, in just 45 mins- what! Love my instapot. Thanks for such a great easy recipe.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 05, 2022 at 3:27 pm

        You are so very welcome! I love hearing you made this using what you had on hand!

        Reply
    3. Elaine Cipriano

      April 24, 2022 at 11:45 am

      45 min is not long enough for the Northern Beans to cook! I had to add 15 min. This is the second time making your recipe….and i forgot it takes longer.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        April 25, 2022 at 7:49 am

        Hi Elaine! I am sorry you have had issues with the timing. I myself, have not had this issue with any of the models I have tested this recipe on. That said, it is important to recognize sometimes Instant Pots, like ovens, vary in how they cook. I would make a note you need an extra 10 minutes and try that from now on. Also be sure to use cold water, cold stock and the full amount--all of that is crucial in the timing. I hope that helps 🙂

        Reply
    4. Brandon L. Roeglin

      March 06, 2022 at 6:58 pm

      Easy to follow directions. My only modification was navy beans instead of the Great Northern. It turned out awesome. So flavorful. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        March 07, 2022 at 6:38 am

        Thanks for sharing Brandon! Great to hear you enjoyed!

        Reply
        • Robert

          March 11, 2022 at 9:57 am

          Hi! I only have pinto beans or black beans in my pantry right now. Can I sub? Are they bigger than great northern? Will I need more cook time??? Thanks

          Reply
          • Kristen Chidsey

            March 11, 2022 at 10:03 am

            Hi Robert, I would use pinto beans, not black beans if you want to sub them out. The cooking time will be the same as well.

            Reply
            • Robert

              March 12, 2022 at 3:45 pm

              Thanks!

    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Meet A Mind "Full" Mom

    welcomeHi! I'm Kristen. I want to welcome you into my kitchen and my REAL, imperfect life. Let me share with you tips and tricks to help you make healthy eating a reality for your family in the chaos of life and on the constraints of a budget. Read more

    Instant Pot Favorites

    jar of plain yogurt next to instant pot

    Instant Pot Yogurt

    Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs Sliced Open on cutting board

    Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

    Shredded Pot Roast with carrots and Potatoes in white bowl next to Instant Pot.

    Instant Pot Pot Roast

    Whole Chicken on cutting board

    Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken

    Bowl of Cold Start Yogurt

    Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt

    Inner pot of instant pot filled dried beans

    Instant Pot Beans

    4 chicken breasts cooked inside instant pot.

    Instant Pot Chicken Breast (Fresh or Frozen)

    How to use the instant pot as a slow cooker

    How to Use Your Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker

    Reader Favorites

    Bowl of Baked Meatballs.

    The Best Baked Meatballs

    slice of egg cheese overnight breakfast casserole with sausage

    Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole

    Creamy and Cheesy Chicken and Rice in yellow casserole dish

    Creamy and Cheesy Chicken and Rice

    Baked Potato on White Plate

    Instant Pot Baked Potatoes

    Chili seasonings labled on wooden board

    DIY Chili Seasoning

    Plate of chicken and bok choy stir fry topped with cilantro.

    Stir-Fried Chicken and Bok Choy

    Platter of Instant Pot Wings next to ranch dressing

    Instant Pot Chicken Wings

    Bowl of slow cooker oatmeal topped with maple syrup and nuts

    Slow Cooker Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal

    Taco Meat in skillet with wooden spoon

    The Best Taco Meat Recipe

    Homemade Chicken Tenders on platter.

    Homemade Chicken Tenders

    FEATURED ON

    featured

    Footer

    Featured on:

    Websites AMind"Full"Mom has been featured on

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with me

    DISCLAIMER: THE SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE AND IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR TREATMENT. AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I GENUINELY LOVE ARE OFTEN INCORPORATED IN MY POSTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

    Copyright © 2020 · A MIND "FULL" MOM