Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup

Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup is the perfect budget-friendly recipe, that can be made in just a few minutes using your pressure cooker.  This is a hearty, healthy, and delicious recipe with lots of flavors.

Making easy and comfort soups in the Instant Pot are a staple around here, like Pressure Cooker Lasagna Soup, Pressure Cooker Tomato Soup, and Instant Pot Baked Potato Soup.

Image of instant pot ham ad bean soup.

Easy Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup

Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup is one of the best comfort and easy meals to make. It will warm up your soul and give your body the nutrients it needs, because it is full of protein and veggies.

This recipe can be easily made with leftover holiday ham, but you don’t have to wait for leftover ham in order to enjoy it. I like to buy the cubed ham for this recipe and make it every time I crave a hearty and delicious meal.

This soup is made in a fraction of time when cooked on high pressure. I recommend using lots of veggies and herbs for this soup. It will make a huge difference and create a flavorful and aromatic meal.

what beans do you use for ham and bean soup?

You can use pretty much any beans available. However, I prefer to use cannellini beans as they work great, especially when cooked under pressure. They are white Italian kidney beans. 

Photo of homemade ham and bean soup in a bowl.

Herbs you will need to make the Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup Recipe:

Adding the appropriate and right amount of herbs and spices to a meal can make the whole difference. Without these, the soup will still be good, but not great, more on the bland side. Adding the right mix of herbs will make the broth taste amazing and incredibly aromatic.

You can use fresh herbs as well, but I love to keep a stocked pantry of dried herbs. They blend well with this soup.

How do You Make Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup using Ham Bone?

How to make Ham and Bean Soup in the Slow Cooker?

This soup can be easily be made in the slow cooker as well. You simply saute the ham and vegetables first. Then, dump all the ingredients in the pot and let it slowly cook for 8 hours. You can check out the full crockpot version of this recipe in this link

How to make it on the stovetop?

Similarly, this soup can be easily made on the stovetop. The full stovetop version of this recipe can be accessed here

Picture of homemade pressure cooker ham and bean soup.

What To Serve With Ham And Bean Soup?

I love adding some toppings to it. Some of my favorite ways to serve it is by adding a dollop of sour cream, chopped cilantro, shredded cheddar cheese, or crispy bacon. All these toppings compliment this soup well!

Similarly, this homemade cornbread or brioche bread is a must to serve with it!

As a side dish, you can serve it with an arugula salad or a cucumber salad

What is a 10 Minutes Natural Pressure Release?

A Natural Pressure Release means that the pressure is released gradually. For a Natural Pressure Release, you click on Keep Warm, and wait 10 minutes, after which you open the valve and let any leftover pressure to release. Another option is to Turn Off/Unplug the pressure cooker, wait 10 minutes and after that open the valve.

A natural release is usually used when cooking soups, meat in a large amount of sauce, pasta or steel cut oats. This method prevents any foam from the dish to shoot out through the valve, which can happen during a Quick Pressure Release.

Instant pot ham and bean soup photo.

How to freeze Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup:

  • I recommend using quart bags for this soup. First, use a cup to transfer the soup from the pot into the bag. Then, squeeze out excess air and seal the bags. The bags can nicely be stored in the freezer for up to 3-4 months.
  • To thaw the soup, remove it from the freezer the night before serving, or put the sealed soup bag in warm water to thaw it faster.
  • Heat in a soup pan and simmer for 5-10 minutes.

Recipe tips:

  • Feel free to swap or add other vegetables to it. Some great addition would be to add some spinach, kale, zucchini, peas, cabbage, etc. 
  • Also, you could add potatoes to it. Just ensure to cut the potato into smaller cubed pieces.
  • I like using chicken broth. Alternatively, you could use turkey or beef stock. Vegetable stock will work as well. 
  • To make it vegetarian, skip the ham altogether and use veggie stock. 

Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup

Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup

Catalina Castravet
Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup is the perfect budget friendly recipe, that can be made in just a few minutes using your Instant Pot. Hearty, healthy, delicious and with lots of flavor.
4.93 from 14 votes
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8 bowls
Calories 140 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 16 ounces cubed ham
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon marjoram
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups carrots diced
  • 2 cups celery diced
  • 1 bell pepper diced
  • 2 cans 15 ounces each white cannelini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 4 cups vegetable stock or chicken broth
  • 2-3 cups water
  • chopped parsley for garnish
  • bacon crumbs

Instructions
 

  • Set Instant Pot to Saute.
  • Once the IP is hot and the oil and wait for it to heat up.
  • Add the diced onion and cook, stirring for 1 minute.
  • Add the ham and brown it for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the rest of the ingredients, except the fresh parsley.
  • Add the broth and the water. Add water in dependence of how thick you want the soup to be. Do NOT go over the Max line of your pot.
  • Stir to combine.
  • Cover and lock the lid. Make sure the valve points to Sealed. Change setting to manual and adjust time to 5 minutes on High Pressure, you can also do for 4 minutes on High Pressure for crunchier veggies.
  • Once it beeps to show that it's done, do a quick release, by changing the position of the valve to Vent. Turn off the Instant Pot.
  • Carefully remove cover, discard bay leaves and stir.
  • Serve garnished with parsley and bacon crumbs.

Nutrition

Serving: 0gCalories: 140kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 10gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 1542mgPotassium: 193mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 4855IUVitamin C: 22.2mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 0.8mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Image of instant pot ham and bean soup.

 

4.93 from 14 votes

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39 Comments

  1. I just got an insta pot so this is right up my alley and exactly what I need to start up! This look really good but I am excited to try the Instant Pot Lasagna Soup!

    1. I made this for a second time today. The first time was amazing! This time is good too but I did 5 minutes instead of 4 like you suggested. I should have stuck with my first one one like you suggested. The veggies are overcooked only because I added a minute. When I did it exactly how you said it was perfect. It’s still good but I like it better with your time 4 minutes pressure cooking. Stick to the recipe and I’ll be the best thing you ever made. Thank you and it’s awesome recipe!

  2. There’s nothing better than a comforting ham and bean soup! It’s one of my favorite soups! Yours looks great and I love the added veggies!5 stars

  3. I love using m y Instant Pot! It makes life so much easier! I am going to have to try this out soon!

  4. I have still not jumped on the instant pot wagon. I have heard so many great things about the instant pot. I guess I need to get on board!

  5. I really need to look in to the instant pot! So many rave about it and this recipe has me drooling!

  6. I love soups, and this is one of my favorites. I have to be honest, I never thought to make soup in an instant pot. Now that I see this recipe, I’ll have to try it this weekend. They say it’s going to be a chilly one.5 stars

  7. I love soups and anything that’s fast to make! So I’m already loving this! Thanks for sharing this with us 🙂

    1. yes, totally! Follow the instructions and simmer on medium heat until veggies are tender.

  8. I find when making ham and bean soup the regular way, it’s so much better when cooking it with a ham bone. Is this the case with this version?

  9. Just made this recipe tonight and it was delicious! I used a fresh rosemary sprig instead of dried and used a ham hock in addition to the ham cubes. I also grated fresh Parmesan with the parsley. My kids gobbled it up! Shocking!
    Thank you!5 stars

  10. Looks delicious!  How much does this make?  I am considering doubling in my 8 qt, if it’ll fit under the max line.

  11. This soup was DELICIOUS! So flavorful — and my family didn’t even know they were eating so many veggies that I normally can’t get them to eat!! I did use smoked salt flakes (my new “secret” ingredient!) instead of regular salt, which added a touch of smoky flavor.5 stars

  12. Delicious, full of flavor, hearty, healthy soup. I used chicken bone broth, and added the ham bone as well. I added 4 cloves of minced garlic to the onion saute. I also doubled the amount of beans (I have an 8 qt. multi-cooker). My husband, kids and I loved it!5 stars

  13. Are all/most recipes for Instant Pots designed for the 8-quart model? I’ve tried a few and managed to overflow once or twice.

  14. This was really good! My husband even liked it 🙂 I thought at first I wouldn’t like all the different spices, but they were the perfect combo!5 stars

  15. This was the perfect recipe to christen my new instant pot. Made it tonight and my husband and picky kids loved it. Huge win! I love the texture of the veggies and the flavor was smoky and delicious from the ham. Yum!5 stars

  16. Made this tonight and it was insanely delicious!! Super quick and easy. My love for my instant pot continues…5 stars