You’re looking for an easy, hearty meal to make on a busy weeknight, but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. Try our 15 Bean Soup Mix recipe with ham. I’ll show you how to cut cooking time without sacrificing flavor.
As any busy mom knows, finding the time to make a healthy meal from scratch can be a challenge. That’s why I love my Instant Pot! With its ability to cook food quickly and evenly, it has slashed the amount of time I spend in the kitchen.
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This hearty soup is one of my family’s favorite recipes. Not only is it budget-friendly, but it’s also a great way to use leftover holiday ham. But it’s also delicious without meat, if you’re looking for a vegetarian option.
Bean Soup Without Presoaking Your Beans
Traditional soup recipes using dried beans can take hours to make when you have to presoak your beans. But with my Instant Pot, there is no presoaking required! That means less time spent in the kitchen and more time spent with your family.
Normally when cooking dried beans, you have to presoak them for several hours or overnight. This can be a bit of a hassle, especially if you forget to do it ahead of time. (I ALWAYS forgot!) The reason for the presoak is to rehydrate the beans and make them more tender.
When using an Instant Pot, there is no need to presoak your beans anymore. Just add them to the pot with some water, set the timer, and let the machine do its job. You’ll still end up with perfectly cooked beans that are tender and delicious. Honestly, this and cooking farm-fresh hard-boiled eggs are the two main reasons I traded in my Crock pot slow cooker for a pressure cooker.
Note: If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can still make this recipe using the stovetop method. Soak your beans overnight, then cook them in a Dutch oven on the stove for 2-3 hours until tender. Or you can use the slow cooker method, cooking the beans on low for 6-8 hours.
What’s in 15 Bean Soup Mix?
There are a variety of legumes in a 15-bean soup mix. The most common include:
- pinto beans
- northern beans
- navy beans
- red and white kidney beans
- black beans
- large and baby lima beans
- white and pink beans
- yelloweye beans
- green and yellow split peas
- lentils
- garbanzo beans or chickpeas
This type of soup mix is loaded with protein and fiber. It can usually be found in the dried bean aisle at your local grocery store. I like to use Hurst’s HamBeens 15 Bean Soup Mix, but any brand will do.
Soup mixes often come with a seasoning packet. I usually discard this packet because it contains artificial flavors and preservatives. Instead, I add my own seasonings to the soup (included in the recipe below). This gives me more control over the flavor and allows me to make it as mild or spicy as we like.
If you can’t find a 15 bean soup mix, you can also use a pre-packaged 6 bean soup mix or create your own mix using your favorite beans.
Want more soup recipes made from scratch? Try these:
- Finnish Salmon Soup
- Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
- Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
- Thai Coconut Soup
- Pumpkin Soup
- Taco Soup (Vegetarian)
How to Make 15 Bean Soup Mix with Ham
15 Bean Soup Mix Recipe
Looking for an easy, hearty meal, but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen? Try our 15 Bean Soup Mix recipe with ham made in under an hour.
Ingredients
- 1 package of 15-bean soup mix (like Hurst’s HamBeens)
- 8 cups of water, chicken stock, or vegetable broth
- 1 pound leftover ham bone, diced ham, or smoked ham hocks
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 (14.5 oz) can of diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning (I like Tony Chachere's Cajun Seasoning)
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- Optional toppings:
- sour cream
- shredded cheese
- diced avocado
- sliced jalapeno peppers
Instructions
1.Add the olive oil to the Instant Pot and select the "Saute" function.
2. When the oil is hot, add the diced onions, green peppers, and celery. Saute for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
3. Add the garlic and saute for an additional minute.
4. Turn off the "Saute" function and add the ham bone (or diced ham/ham hocks), dry beans, water (or chicken broth/vegetable stock), diced tomatoes, cajun seasoning, parsley, thyme, salt, and black pepper to the pot.
5. Stir everything together, making sure the dry beans are completely submerged in liquid.
6. Close the lid and set the valve to the "Sealing" position.
7. Select the "Manual" or "Pressure Cooker" function and set the timer for 35 minutes.
8. When the timer goes off, allow for a 10-minute natural pressure release, then quick release any remaining pressure.
9. Remove the lid and discard the ham bone.
10. Stir the soup and add additional seasonings to taste, if necessary.
11. Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy it with your favorite toppings.
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What to Serve with 15 Bean Soup?
This soup is hearty and filling, so it doesn’t need much else. A simple green salad, slice of cornbread, or garlic bread would be perfect. Get my Southern cornbread recipe here.
If you want to turn this into a complete meal, you could add some cooked rice, quinoa, or pasta to the soup. Just make sure to add enough liquid when cooking the rice, quinoa, or pasta so the soup doesn’t get too thick. Additionally, you can serve the soup over white rice like you would Red Beans and Rice.
How to Store and Reheat 15 Bean Soup Mix
Leftover soup can be stored in the fridge in airtight containers for up to 3-4 days. Soup can last in the freezer for 2-3 months.
To reheat, simply thaw the soup (if frozen) and reheat it on the stove over medium heat until it’s warmed through. You may need to add a little additional water or broth to thin it out since it will thicken as it sits.
I hope you enjoy this 15 bean soup mix recipe! As a busy mom, I know that finding the time to make a home-cooked meal can be tough. However, I also know that there’s nothing quite like sitting down to a warm, comforting bowl of soup on a chilly winter day. That’s why I decided to share my recipe for 15 bean soup mix recipe with ham.
This soup is hearty and filling, and it’s sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. Best of all, it’s budget-friendly! So if you’re looking for a warm, satisfying meal that the whole family will love, give this bean soup recipe a try!
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