If you’re looking for a cozy, hearty meal that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, the Slow Cooker 15 Bean Soup is your new best friend. This dish combines a vibrant medley of fifteen different beans with savory ham, aromatic herbs, and just the right touch of smoky spices. It’s an effortless recipe that unfolds throughout the day in your slow cooker, filling your home with inviting aromas and rewarding you with rich, comforting flavors that only slow-simmered beans can deliver. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or meal prepping for the week, this soup shines with its wholesome goodness and satisfying texture.

Slow Cooker 15 Bean Soup Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients for this soup is delightfully simple. Each component plays a special role: the beans bring an earthy richness and protein, the vegetables add freshness and sweetness, while the ham and spices infuse deep, savory layers. Together, these ingredients create the perfect harmony of taste, texture, and color that makes the Slow Cooker 15 Bean Soup so memorable.

15 bean mix: A diverse blend of beans that provides complex flavors and varied textures; discard the seasoning packet included in the package.

Carrots (chopped): Adds sweetness and a pop of orange color that brightens the soup.
Celery stalks (chopped): Offers a subtle crunch and fresh herbal notes.

Small onion (chopped): Builds a fragrant, savory base.
Garlic cloves (minced): Boosts the aroma and adds a hint of sharpness.

Diced ham: Imparts smoky depth and a satisfying meaty bite.
Diced tomatoes (with juice): Balances the beans with a touch of acidity and vibrant color.
Dried Italian seasoning: Brings a fragrant blend of herbs to unify the flavors.

Smoked paprika: Introduces a gentle smoky warmth without overpowering.
Salt: Enhances all the natural tastes in the soup.
Chili powder: Adds a subtle, friendly heat for extra character.

Ground cumin: Gives an earthy undertone that complements the beans beautifully.
Black pepper: Grounds the flavors with a bit of spice.
Bay leaf: Slowly releases aromatic complexity during cooking.

Chicken broth: The flavorful liquid base that turns all ingredients into a rich, savory soup.

How to Make Slow Cooker 15 Bean Soup

Step 1: Prepare and Soak the Beans

First things first, rinse your 15 bean mix carefully to remove any grit or stray stones. Soaking the beans overnight isn’t required but highly recommended if you want your beans to cook evenly and gain that perfect tender texture while absorbing all those delicious spices.

Step 2: Soften the Vegetables

Microwaving your chopped carrots, celery, onion, and minced garlic for a few minutes before adding them to the slow cooker might sound like an extra step, but it’s a game-changer. This brief pre-cook softens the veggies just enough to release their natural sweetness, taking the flavor profile of your soup to the next level.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker

Now for the easy part—dump in the soaked beans, diced ham, pre-softened vegetables, diced tomatoes (don’t forget the juice!), all your fragrant seasonings, and the chicken broth. Make sure everything is submerged, then toss in your bay leaf. Cover it up and get ready for a slow-cooked magic show.

Step 4: Slow Cook Your Soup

Set your slow cooker to low for about 8 hours or high for 4 hours. This slow, gentle cooking method coaxes those beans to tender perfection, melding all the flavors so beautifully that every spoonful tastes like you spent hours crafting it.

Step 5: Final Touches

When the beans are tender and the soup is bubbling with goodness, don’t forget to remove the bay leaf. Taste your creation and adjust salt and seasoning as you please—this is your chance to bring the soup just where your palate wants it.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the Slow Cooker 15 Bean Soup into bowls and get ready for pure comfort. This hearty dish is perfect on its own or paired with a crusty bread to soak up every last drop.

How to Serve Slow Cooker 15 Bean Soup

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or a handful of shredded cheddar cheese instantly elevates the appearance and adds fresh herbaceous or creamy richness. For a touch of brightness, a squeeze of lemon juice can awaken the flavors, making each bowl sing.

Side Dishes

Pair this soup with some warm, crusty baguette or soft dinner rolls for dipping, or a simple green salad for a refreshing contrast to the hearty beans. Cornbread also makes a wonderful companion, adding a slight sweetness that balances the smoky undertones.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving the soup in bread bowls for a rustic, fun twist that adds edible charm and extra carbs to soak up that luscious broth. You can also garnish with crispy bacon bits, a dollop of sour cream, or sliced avocado slices for an unexpected flair.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

The Slow Cooker 15 Bean Soup actually tastes even better the next day after the flavors meld overnight. Store leftovers in airtight containers and keep them refrigerated for up to 4 days so you can enjoy multiple cozy meals.

Freezing

This soup freezes beautifully, making it a perfect batch-cooking candidate! Portion it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip bags, leaving some room for expansion, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating

When you’re ready for another bowl, reheat the soup gently on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or water if it’s too thick. Microwave works fine too—just cover loosely and heat in intervals, stirring in between.

FAQs

Do I have to soak the beans overnight?

Soaking is not mandatory but highly recommended. It helps reduce cooking time and improves bean texture, making the soup creamier and easier to digest.

Can I make Slow Cooker 15 Bean Soup vegetarian?

Absolutely! Just skip the ham and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can add smoked paprika or liquid smoke to maintain that satisfying smoky flavor.

What if I don’t have a slow cooker?

You can simmer this soup on the stovetop in a large pot, but expect the cooking time to be longer and more hands-on, requiring more frequent stirring and monitoring.

Can I use canned beans instead of dry beans?

Using canned beans will save time, but you’ll want to reduce the cooking liquid and simmer for less time just to meld flavors without overcooking the beans.

How spicy is this soup?

The chili powder and cumin give it a gentle warmth rather than heat. You can always adjust the spices to suit your taste by increasing or omitting them.

Final Thoughts

There is something so wonderfully satisfying about a bowl of Slow Cooker 15 Bean Soup that you just can’t get from a quick recipe. With its complex layers of flavor, heartiness, and ease, it’s the perfect comfort food for any day. I can’t wait for you to try it, share it with your loved ones, and make it a staple in your kitchen rotation!

Slow Cooker 15 Bean Soup Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 8 reviews

Author: Lila
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes on high or 8 hours 15 minutes on low (excluding soaking time)
Yield: About 8 servings 1x

Diet: Halal

Print Recipe

Description

This Slow Cooker 15 Bean Soup is a hearty and comforting dish perfect for a nutritious meal. Packed with a variety of beans, vegetables, and flavorful seasonings, it simmers gently in a slow cooker to develop deep, rich flavors. The addition of diced ham adds a savory touch, making the soup satisfying and ideal for chilly days or easy weeknight dinners.

Instructions

Prepare the beans: Rinse the 15 bean mix thoroughly under cold water and check carefully for any stones or debris. For best results, soak the beans overnight in water to ensure they cook evenly and become tender within the recommended time frame.

Soften the vegetables: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chopped carrots, celery, onion, and minced garlic. Cover the bowl with a damp paper towel and microwave on high for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened. This step helps to enhance their flavor in the final soup.
Assemble in slow cooker: Add the rinsed and soaked beans, diced ham, softened vegetables, diced tomatoes including the juice, all the seasonings (Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, chili powder, cumin, black pepper), and the bay leaf into a 6-8 quart slow cooker. Pour in 6 to 8 cups of chicken broth depending on desired consistency.
Cook the soup: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low heat for 8 hours or on high heat for 4 hours. Cook until the beans are tender and the flavors have melded together wonderfully.

Finish and season: Once cooking is complete, remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt or spices to suit your preference.
Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and enjoy immediately. This hearty 15 bean soup pairs beautifully with crusty bread for dipping and makes for a satisfying meal.

Notes

Soaking the beans overnight reduces cooking time and improves digestibility.

Microwaving the vegetables prior to adding them intensifies their natural sweetness and flavor.
You can substitute vegetable broth to make the recipe vegetarian; omit the ham in that case.
Adjust the level of chili powder to increase or decrease the spiciness according to taste.

Leftover soup keeps well refrigerated for 3-4 days and freezes nicely for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus overnight soaking time)
Cook Time: 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low

Category: Soup
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 220 kcal
Sugar: 4 g

Sodium: 700 mg
Fat: 4 g
Saturated Fat: 1.2 g

Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 35 g

Fiber: 9 g
Protein: 14 g
Cholesterol: 25 mg

Keywords: slow cooker bean soup, 15 bean soup, hearty soup recipe, easy slow cooker meals, bean soup with ham