A hearty and comforting slow cooker soup made with tender navy beans, vegetables, and a rich, savory broth. Perfect for cozy meals with minimal effort.
Total Time:8 hours 15 minutes
Yield:6 servings
Ingredients
1 pound dried navy beans, rinsed and sorted
1 small onion, chopped
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
1 cup water
1 ham bone or 1 cup diced ham (optional)
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
Rinse and sort the navy beans, removing debris or damaged beans.
Add the beans, onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the slow cooker.
Pour in the broth and water, then add the ham bone or diced ham if using, along with thyme and bay leaf.
Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours until beans are tender.
Remove the ham bone if used and discard the bay leaf.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Mash some of the beans or blend a portion for a thicker texture if desired.
Stir in chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, omit ham and use vegetable broth with smoked paprika.
Add potatoes or kale for extra texture and nutrition.
A splash of lemon juice can brighten the flavor.
Soup thickens as it sits; add broth when reheating.
