15 or 16 Bean Soup

Made with leftover ham, bean soup mix, and pantry staples, this 15 or 16 bean soup is the perfect way to stretch your budget – deliciously!

Course Main Course, Main Dishes, Soup

Cuisine American, Cajun, Creole, Southern

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 2 15

Total Time 2 30

Servings servings

Calories 366

Author Dorothy Bigelow

Add the chicken broth and bean soup mix to a large heavy-bottomed pot like a Dutch oven or stockpot.
Bring the broth and beans to a boil over high heat. Once a boil is reached, turn the heat down to medium.
Partially cover the pot with a lid and cook for 45 minutes.
After 45 minutes have passed, add the cubed ham, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, Creole seasoning (or Cajun seasoning), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
Cover the pot and simmer for an additional 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until the beans are tender. Reduce the heat if necessary to maintain a steady simmer.
Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. If a thicker consistency is desired, puree some of the beans using a stick blender. Serve with corn bread, biscuits, or crusty bread.

Storage: Transfer leftover bean soup to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: If longer storage is desired, you may freeze the soup in freezer-safe containers for up to 4 months. Thaw and reheat before serving.
Slow cooker: Cook the broth and beans on HIGH for 5-6 hours. Add the remaining ingredients and cook for another 1-2 hours, or until the beans are tender.
*Leftover ham: This soup is a great way to utilize leftover ham from a holiday dinner, such as Christmas, Easter, or Thanksgiving. If you want to make this recipe without leftover ham, you can use any cooked ham (we like to use ham steaks for a quick shortcut).
Bean soup mix: This recipe can be made with 15 or 16 bean soup mix, but be sure to discard the included seasoning packet. Bob’s Red Mill’s 13 bean soup mix can also be used, or you can use a blend of your favorite light-colored dry beans (Great Northern, navy, pinto, etc.).
Using canned beans: If you prefer, you can use cooked or canned beans instead of dry beans. This reduces the cook time significantly, so add all of the ingredients at the same time and cook for just 20-30 minutes.