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Delicious hearty mixed bean soup is great for a winter meal, but the kielbasa and ham add great flavor!
Winter Is For Bean Soup
Bean soup is perfect for a cold winter day!
This soup is extra special because it contains a variety of beans and two meats!
The Flavors Are Terrific
Bean soup is traditionally flavored with ham.
Whenever I make a ham for dinner, I always save and freeze the bone for later use. This is one of the uses I have for the leftover ham bone. Always make sure to leave some meat on the bone for adding to the soup!
Kielbasa or smoked sausage is less traditional for flavoring the soup, but it’s absolutely delicious! It has a smoky flavor but is quite different from ham. This adds another level to the flavor.
Also, most mixed bean packages come with a seasoning packet. Use it because this adds even more flavor, but if your package of beans doesn’t come with this seasoning, don’t worry–it’s totally optional.
Add Some Veggies
I generally will add carrot and celery to most any soup I make.
In this one, I had no celery so I only added carrots. I like the sweetish flavor that carrot imparts to a soup. You can add anything you like that you think goes well with the meats.
As far as herbs and spices, something such as this soup lends itself to bay and a bit of basil for my tastes. You can really get experimental here if you want. I have to admit I’m not that adventurous with herbs so I haven’t tried other combinations. I’d love it if you could let me know your personal favorites for bean and ham soup!
The Recipe
Mixed Bean Soup with Ham & Kielbasa
Ingredients
- 1 bag approx 16 oz mixed dried beans + enclosed flavor pack (see NOTES)
- 8 cups water
- 2 tsp chicken base i.e. Better Than Bouillon -OR- 2 chicken stock cubes
- 1 cup sliced carrots - about 1/2-inch thick
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- meaty ham bone -OR- 1 large ham steak cut in chunks
- 1/2 tsp basil
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 package fully-cooked kielbasa cut in 1/2-inch slices
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place soaked beans in a 5-7 quart slow cooker.
- Add the water and the flavor pack that was in the beans (if there isn't one in your package, it's not essential so don't worry), the chicken base, carrots, onions, basil, bay leaf. kielbasa and ham bone/ham chunks.
- Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours, high 5-8 hours (times are approximate).
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
Nutrition
