Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup is made with tender white beans, savory ham, carrots, celery, onions, and a flavorful broth for a hearty bowl of classic comfort food. This easy Instant Pot recipe is perfect for using leftover ham and creates a rich, homemade soup that’s filling, budget-friendly, and packed with flavor.
I love making this soup after the holidays because it’s one of my favorite ways to use leftover ham. It’s simple to make, tastes even better the next day, and always reminds me of the homemade soups I grew up eating. 🫘🍖🥣
Why I Love This Recipe
Ingredient Notes
- Ham Steak: I like using a ham steak because it’s meaty, flavorful, and easy to dice into bite-sized pieces. Leftover holiday ham or a ham bone also works great in this recipe.
- Chicken Broth: Chicken broth creates a rich, savory base for the soup. I usually use Better Than Bouillon mixed with water, but your favorite chicken broth works just as well.
- Celery and Carrots: These classic vegetables add flavor, texture, and give the soup that homemade comfort food taste.
- Dried Navy Beans: Dried navy beans become tender and creamy in the Instant Pot without soaking. Be sure to rinse and sort through the beans before cooking to remove any debris or damaged beans.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: These pantry staples add plenty of savory flavor without the extra prep of chopping garlic and onions.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is used to sauté the vegetables and helps build a flavorful base before pressure cooking.
- Bay Leaves: Bay leaves add subtle depth to the broth while the soup cooks. Remember to remove them before serving.
- 💙 Optional Garnishes: I like serving this soup with fresh parsley, cracked black pepper, and a slice of warm crusty bread or cornbread on the side for the perfect comforting meal. 🫘🍖🥣
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How To Make Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup
- Turn the Instant Pot to the Sauté setting and add the olive oil. Add the chopped celery and carrots.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften. Stir in the diced ham, including the ham bone if you have one, for extra flavor.
- Add the dried navy beans, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, and bay leaves. Stir to combine.
- Secure the lid and set the valve to Sealing.
- Cook on High Pressure (Manual) for 45 minutes.
- Carefully perform a natural release once the cooking time is complete.
- Remove and discard the bay leaves and ham bone.
- If using a ham bone, remove any remaining meat, chop it, and return it to the soup.
- Taste the soup and season with salt and black pepper if needed before serving. Serve hot with warm crusty bread or cornbread.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
Tips I Found Helpful
- I rinse and sort through the dried navy beans before cooking to remove any small stones or damaged beans.
- I like using a ham bone whenever I have one because it gives the broth incredible homemade flavor.
- After cooking, I remove any extra meat from the bone and stir it back into the soup.
- I sauté the carrots and celery for a few minutes before pressure cooking to build even more flavor.
- I always let the pressure naturally release for 15–20 minutes so the beans finish cooking and become perfectly tender.
- If the soup is thicker than I like after cooking, I stir in a little extra chicken broth until it reaches the consistency I want.
- This soup tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to come together, making it perfect for meal prep.
- My favorite way to serve it is with warm cornbread or a slice of crusty bread for soaking up every last spoonful of broth. 🫘🍖🥣
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Favorite
To Serve With White Bean and Ham Soup
Instant Pot White Bean and Ham Soup
This Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup is a hearty, old-fashioned comfort food made with tender navy beans, savory ham, carrots, celery, and a flavorful broth. It's an easy Instant Pot recipe that's perfect for using leftover ham and makes a warm, satisfying meal for chilly fall and winter days.
Ingredients
- 1 ham steak
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 3 stalks celery
- 2 large carrots chopped
- 1 bag dry Navy Beans
- 1 tbs garlic powder
- 1 tbs onion powder
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Turn the Instant Pot to the Sauté setting and add the olive oil.
- Add the chopped celery and carrots. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften.
- Stir in the diced ham, including the ham bone if using, for extra flavor.
- Add the dried navy beans, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, and bay leaves. Stir to combine.
- Secure the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure (Manual) for 45 minutes.
- Allow the pressure to naturally release for 15–20 minutes, then carefully release any remaining pressure.
- Remove and discard the bay leaves and ham bone. If you used a ham bone, remove any remaining meat, chop it, and stir it back into the soup.
- Taste and season with salt and black pepper if needed.
- Serve hot with cornbread or crusty bread.
Notes
There's no need to soak the dried navy beans before cooking. For the best flavor, use a ham bone if you have one, then remove any extra meat from the bone and stir it back into the soup before serving. Allow the pressure to naturally release for 15–20 minutes so the beans become perfectly tender and the flavors have time to develop. If the soup is thicker than you prefer, simply stir in a little extra chicken broth before serving. Pair each bowl with warm cornbread or crusty bread for a classic, comforting meal.
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When do the other spices go in???? Directions only reference bay leaves
I made this tonight in my Ninja Foodi deluxe. Instead of garlic and onion power I used chopped garlic and a medium onion. I threw those in the sautée with the carrots and celery ahead of time. I also used half chicken broth and half vegetable broth since that’s all I had. I also added pepper and parsley. After I sautéed on high and in step 2 I pressure cooked for 40 mins – the beans are almost all cooked I’d say next time I’d do a solid hour. But it’s definitely tasty awesome way for that left over ham bone and extra ham. 👌🏻