Hearty Instant Pot Bean Soup with Ham: Your Ultimate Comfort Meal

Experience true comfort in a bowl with this incredibly flavorful Instant Pot Bean Soup with Ham. Packed with tender beans, savory ham, and an abundance of aromatic vegetables, this hearty soup is designed to warm you from the inside out. Perfect for chilly evenings, it comes together effortlessly in your Instant Pot, allowing you to relax while it cooks to perfection. Prepare a generous batch, as this delightful soup tastes even better the next day – making it ideal for satisfying lunches!

For too long, I resisted the allure of the Instant Pot. It sat on my counter, a sleek, metallic enigma, a gift from my thoughtful cousin and sweet little daughter. While the idea of a multi-cooker filled me with excitement, the reality of a busy schedule meant it remained largely unexplored. I’d heard the whispers, seen the rave reviews, but always found an excuse to stick to my familiar stovetop routines. Little did I know, I was missing out on a kitchen revolution that would soon change my cooking game forever.

After months of procrastination, a demanding work schedule finally provided the incentive I needed to embrace this modern marvel. And oh, what a revelation it has been! My initial skepticism quickly melted away, replaced by an adoration that only grows with each perfectly cooked meal. The Instant Pot isn’t just an appliance; it’s a trusty kitchen companion that consistently delivers outstanding results with remarkable efficiency. It’s like having an extra set of hands in the kitchen, making delicious, wholesome meals accessible even on the busiest weeknights.

This week, my Instant Pot truly outdid itself, creating a dish so comforting and fragrant, it solidified its place as my new culinary best friend. It presented me with a stunningly aromatic, bubbling pot of hearty Instant Pot Bean Soup with Ham. The rich, brothy aroma alone was enough to make my stomach rumble, promising a meal that exceeded all expectations. For a “metal-head” kitchen gadget, it certainly knows how to impress! The ease with which it transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet-quality soup is nothing short of magic, proving that convenience doesn’t have to compromise on flavor.

Indeed, I plan to keep this culinary genius around. Its ability to create deeply flavored dishes in a fraction of the time, all while requiring minimal effort, has made it an indispensable tool in my kitchen.

Embrace Winter’s Chill with a Warm Bowl of Instant Pot Bean Soup

While the world outside my window often looks like a winter wonderland, sometimes covered in a blanket of pristine snow as is common in Alberta:

My Instant Pot and I stay cozy indoors, crafting delicious meals that bring warmth and cheer. It’ll certainly be a while before we can enjoy picnics under the sun or sit comfortably in our outdoor chairs again. But with a steaming bowl of Instant Pot Bean Soup, winter’s bite feels a little less sharp.

The beauty of this soup, made in the Instant Pot, is how effortlessly it comes together, leaving you more time to savor the moment. Whether you’re curling up with a book, spending time with family, or simply unwinding after a long day, this hearty bean soup is the perfect companion. It’s a testament to how modern kitchen tools can enhance our lives, bringing delicious homemade meals within reach, no matter the season or our schedule.

Let’s Get Making Our Instant Pot Bean Soup with Ham

Preparing this Instant Pot Bean Soup with Ham is a straightforward process, designed for maximum flavor with minimal fuss. The key lies in selecting quality ingredients and letting the Instant Pot do its heavy lifting.

First, gather your dried beans. For this recipe, I recommend using dried lima beans, navy beans, or small white beans. These varieties hold their shape well and absorb the rich flavors of the broth and ham beautifully. Measure out your chosen beans precisely – consistency is key for perfect texture.

Next up, the star flavor enhancers: the ham and a vibrant array of vegetables. Dice your ham into bite-sized pieces – the bits of ham will add wonderful smoky and salty notes that permeate the entire soup. As for the vegetables, we’re building a classic flavor base with carrots, onions, and fennel (or celery). These aromatics will sauté down, releasing their natural sweetness and creating a foundation of rich, savory taste. Mince your garlic finely to ensure its pungent warmth is evenly distributed throughout the dish.

The beauty of the Instant Pot truly shines in the initial steps. Using its Sauté function, you’ll first brown the diced ham. This critical step not only crisps the ham slightly but also creates a flavorful “fond” – those browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. This fond is pure flavor gold; it will deglaze beautifully when liquids are added, enriching the entire soup. After browning the ham, add your chopped vegetables and sauté them until they begin to soften and release their fragrant oils. This layering of flavor is what makes this Instant Pot Bean Soup so incredibly delicious.

Once your ham is browned and your vegetables are tender, it’s time to combine everything. Pile all the delicious ingredients into your Instant Pot (or your chosen cooking vessel, be it a pressure cooker, slow cooker, or classic stovetop pot). Add the beans, liquids, and seasonings, then let the magic happen. The Instant Pot’s sealed environment ensures that all those wonderful flavors meld together perfectly, creating a deeply satisfying and incredibly tender soup.

And voilà! After a short cooking time, you’ll be greeted with a steaming pot of comfort in a bowl. The aroma filling your kitchen alone is enough to bring everyone running.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed having a big batch of this fantastic soup to take to work in my thermos all week long. There’s nothing quite like looking forward to your lunch all morning, knowing a delicious and nourishing meal awaits. The aroma upon heating up a bowl is utterly tantalizing, and the taste lives up to every expectation. You’ll find soft, meltingly tender beans, salty chunks of ham, and sweet, perfectly cooked vegetables, all swimming in a rich, savory broth. And the best part? All this magic unfolds hands-free in the sealed pot while you put your feet up and relax. Thank you, Mr. Instant Pot, for making comfort so achievable!

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Kitchen Frau’s Essential Tips for Your Bean Soup

This versatile bean soup recipe can be adapted to various cooking methods, ensuring you can enjoy its comforting flavors no matter what kitchen equipment you have. Below, you’ll find detailed instructions for preparing this soup in your Instant Pot, a traditional pressure cooker, a slow cooker, or a classic soup pot on the stove.

Regarding the chicken stock, a high-quality stock is paramount for a deeply flavored soup. If you’re fortunate enough to have a batch of your homemade chicken stock on hand, that will undoubtedly yield the best results. The rich, nuanced flavor of homemade stock is unparalleled. However, a good purchased chicken stock is a perfectly acceptable alternative. For convenience, you can also use a quality bouillon cube or paste dissolved in hot water to achieve a robust broth base.

For an extra boost of flavor and nutrition, consider adding a handful of fresh spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking, especially if using the stovetop or slow cooker method. The greens will wilt beautifully, adding a lovely color and additional vitamins to your already wholesome soup. Don’t be afraid to experiment with other herbs like a sprig of rosemary or a pinch of marjoram if you enjoy those flavor profiles. Remember, cooking is an art, and personalization is always encouraged!

Instant Pot Bean Soup with Ham Recipe

This gluten-free and dairy-free soup is a nutritious and satisfying meal, perfect for any occasion.

• 2 tablespoons butter, ghee, or oil
• 1 lb (454gms) diced or shredded ham (about 3 cups, diced) or smoked sausages, halved lengthwise and sliced into half moons
• 1 large fennel bulb (~400 gms/3 cups diced) – or substitute with 2½-3 cups diced celery
• 2 large carrots (2 heaping cups, diced)
• 1 large onion (2 cups, diced)
• 2 large cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb (2½ cups) dried lima beans, navy beans, or small white beans (no soaking required for Instant Pot)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon dry thyme
• ½ teaspoon white pepper
• 4 cups (960ml) chicken stock (or good bouillon mix)
• 5 cups (1200ml) water

Instant Pot Instructions:

1. Set the Instant Pot to the Sauté setting. Add the butter, ghee, or oil to the insert.
2. Once hot, add the diced ham and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow the ham to brown in spots and for a slight brown fond to form at the bottom of the pot, but be careful not to burn it. This fond adds incredible depth of flavor.
3. While the ham is sautéing, prepare your vegetables: dice the fennel (or celery), onion, carrots, and mince the garlic.
4. After 10 minutes, add the prepared vegetables and minced garlic to the ham in the Instant Pot. Continue to sauté for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the vegetables begin to soften and become fragrant.
5. Press the Cancel button to stop the sautéing function.
6. Carefully pick over your dried beans to ensure there are no small pebbles or malformed beans. Add the sorted beans to the Instant Pot along with the sautéed ham and vegetables.
7. Stir in the bay leaves, dry mustard, dry thyme, and white pepper.
8. Pour in the chicken stock and water, then give everything a good stir to combine.
9. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, ensuring the sealing ring is properly in place and the vent is set to “Sealing.”
10. Press the Bean/Chili function. Manually add 10 minutes to the preset time, making the total cook time 40 minutes on high pressure.
11. Once the cooking cycle is complete, do NOT manually release the steam immediately. Allow the pressure to come down naturally for 20 minutes. This natural pressure release helps the beans to become exceptionally tender and prevents frothing.
12. After 20 minutes of natural release, carefully use a wooden spoon handle or a towel to turn the vent to “Venting” to quick-release any remaining steam.
13. Once the float valve drops, carefully remove the lid. Stir the soup and taste for seasoning. Add more salt if necessary, keeping in mind that the saltiness of your ham and stock will vary. I often find I don’t need to add much, if any, extra salt.

Serves 6 generously as a main course.

To Make Instant Pot Bean Soup in a Regular Pressure Cooker:

The process is quite similar to the Instant Pot. Sauté the ham and vegetables as described above in your pressure cooker pot. Then, add the dried beans, all the spices, chicken stock, and water. Seal the pressure cooker lid (ensure your pressure cooker is at least a 5-quart/liter size to accommodate the volume). Bring the cooker to high pressure, then reduce the heat to medium to maintain a stable high pressure. Cook at high pressure for 40 minutes. After cooking, allow the pressure to come down naturally for 20 minutes before opening the pot, just as you would with the Instant Pot. This ensures perfectly tender beans.

To Make Instant Pot Bean Soup on the Stovetop:

For stovetop preparation, you will need to soak your dried beans. Place the beans in a large bowl, cover with several inches of water, and soak for 8 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse the soaked beans before use. In a large, heavy-bottomed stock pot or Dutch oven, sauté the ham and vegetables as described in the Instant Pot steps. Drain the soaked beans and add them to the pot along with the bay leaves, dry mustard, thyme, pepper, chicken stock, and water. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and cook until the beans are wonderfully tender, which typically takes about 1½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

To Make Instant Pot Bean Soup in the Slow Cooker:

While the slow cooker offers hands-off convenience, it’s beneficial to pre-sauté the ham and vegetables to develop deeper flavors. In a large skillet or heavy-bottomed pot, sauté the ham and vegetables as outlined in the main recipe. Transfer the sautéed ham and vegetables to your slow cooker insert. Add the dried beans (no soaking needed for slow cooker), bay leaves, dry mustard, thyme, pepper, chicken stock, and water to the slow cooker. Stir to combine all ingredients. Cover and cook on the LOW setting for 10 to 12 hours, or until the beans are tender and the flavors have fully melded. The extended cooking time allows for the natural tenderizing of the beans and a rich, robust broth.

Guten Appetit!

Serving Suggestions and Storage

This hearty Instant Pot Bean Soup with Ham is a complete meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple accompaniments. Serve it hot with a side of crusty bread or warm cornbread for dipping into the rich, savory broth. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or cilantro adds a touch of brightness and a pop of color. For those who enjoy a creamy element, a small dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt can be stirred in just before serving.

This soup is also fantastic for meal prepping. Store any leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors will continue to deepen, making it even more delicious the next day. This soup also freezes exceptionally well. Allow it to cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers or bags. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of extra broth or water if needed to adjust consistency.

Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Bean Soup

Beyond its incredible flavor and comforting nature, this soup offers numerous benefits. It’s packed with plant-based protein and fiber from the beans, making it incredibly filling and nutritious. The array of vegetables contributes essential vitamins and minerals, while the ham adds a savory depth that satisfies. The Instant Pot dramatically cuts down on cooking time compared to traditional methods, especially for dried beans, making it a perfect solution for busy weeknights without sacrificing the quality of a homemade meal. It’s a versatile recipe that can be adapted to various kitchen appliances, ensuring everyone can enjoy a bowl of this wholesome goodness. This soup truly embodies the spirit of home cooking: simple, satisfying, and utterly delicious.

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