Easy Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup with Ham

I’ve tested this recipe for 15 Bean Soup more times than I can count, and along the way I’ve learned the tricks to getting beans that turn out soft, tender, and perfectly seasoned every single time. And since I’ve spent years teaching others how to use the Instant Pot, you can feel confident making this recipe—even if you’re still getting comfortable with your pressure cooker.

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Recipe first seen on Savory Experiments where I contributed Content and Photos

Maybe you've never tried to make a soup with dried beans. No worries, I've got you friend. Let me help you make a delicious 15 bean mix soup that will knock your socks off with fantastic flavor and perfectly cooked beans.

I've got lots of tips for you along the way, so keep reading so you don't miss any of them. It's very important to rinse and sort the beans.

What do I mean by sorting beans? That just means to pull out any beans that don't look quite right and look for small pebbles or anything that doesn't look right.

It's not uncommon to find a variety of miscellaneous items in a package of dried beans. So truly, do not skip this step.

Ingredients for Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup

• Dry Bean Mix - This is a bag of mixed beans. Some will have 12 beans others could have as many as 15 or more. Any bag will do!
• Broth - Chicken Broth or Vegetable Broth will add extra flavor and an added addition
• Onion/Carrot/Celery - Fresh veggies add an array of nutritional value and of course flavor.
• Diced tomatoes (Canned) - If you like some added heat use Fire Roasted Tomatoes, or Diced tomatoes with garlic and seasonings also work great in this recipe. You can also use a simple can of diced tomatoes too. The added seasons will help lift the flavors.
• Cooked Meat like Ham, Chicken, Ground Beef or even sausage - While you can add a ham bone to the cooking process often times you may not have one. Adding cooked ham, chicken, ground beef or even sausage to this recipe will add a depth of flavor and nutrition you will love.
• Garlic - Minced or crushed adding garlic elevates the flavors
• Bay Leaves - Adding 1 or two is a quick way to add flavor. Just be sure to remove Bay Leaf before serving!
• Seasonings: celery seed, Italian Seasoning, Kosher Salt, Liquid Smoke
• Garnish: Sour Cream, Greek Yogurt, Cheese, and don't forget a loaf of French bread to dip into it.

How to Make 15 Bean Soup in the Instant Pot

I prefer to make this recipe in the Instant Pot or Electric Pressure Cooker. It is by far the easiest and quickest without soaking the beans overnight. But this recipe can also be made in the Slow Cooker or Crock Pot.

As I mentioned, make sure to rinse and sort the bean mix and remove any debris or odd beans. Heat Instant Pot to Saute and allow to get hot before adding a little butter or olive oil and diced onion. Saute and allow the onions to sweat for a couple of minutes.

Add diced carrots and celery and cook for a minute or two more making sure to scrape the bottom as needed.

Next add broth and seasonings and finally dry bean mixture. Making sure to add a Bay Leaf or two on top and close the lid. Pressure Cook and allow for a 15 minute Natural Pressure Release before opening the pressure value and releasing the remaining pressure.

Remove the lid and add leftover ham and diced tomatoes. Adding additional salt and pepper to taste is important and don't forget a splash of vinegar or any citrus juice right before serving. The acid helps to enhance the flavor of the soup and is delicious.

Make sure to serve soup with French Bread and garnish with cheese, sour cream or even Greek Yogurt.

What Beans are in 15 Bean Soup

There is not a standard list of beans in the mixture as brands can vary the types of beans. But typically you will find these beans.

• Split Pea (yellow and green)
• Kidney
• Northern
• Pinto
• Lima (large and small)
• Navy
• Black Bean
• White Kidney
• Garbanzo
• Lentils
• Small White
• Small Red

You can however make your own bean blend. Use 20 ounces of dry beans for this recipe and combine your favorite beans.

Kinds of Meat in 15 Bean Soup

This recipe can be made with or without meat. Here are a few favorite ideas to try. Remember these needed to be fully cooked before adding to this recipe. Mix or match and use about 1 cup.

• Cubed Ham you can also use Ham Hocks or a Ham Bone
• Chicken
• Ground Beef
• Sausage
• Bacon

Do You Need to Soak Beans for Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup?

There is no need to soak beans overnight when using the Instant Pot / Electric Pressure Cooker. When the beans are placed under press with water the pressure will soften the beans as they cook.

This is why using an Instant Pot makes this recipe so simple and easy. All the heavy lifting and hard work is done by this small appliance.

FAQ

Troubleshooting

Beans can be a little tricky but they aren't difficult. And just like pasta everyone has a different definition of what the texture of a cooked bean should be and taste like. I suggest a bean that is cooked and no longer hard but not cooked so long it become paste for this bean soup mix recipe.

You can easily check and test beans and decide for yourself if they need a few minutes more pressure cooking time without any problem at all.

Be sure to Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube for the Latest Recipes, Tips and Tricks, and creative menu ideas!

What to Serve with 15 Bean Soup

As I've mentioned it is a hearty meal all on it's own, but it's always a great idea to serve with a side salad, french bread or even my 7-Up Biscuits. YUMMMY.

How to Store Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup

Allow soup to cool before placing in a sealed container. Store in refrigerator for 3-4 days after being cooked.

Soup can also be frozen in individual portions or in a larger sealed container. To reheat from frozen allow soup to thaw and add to a pot on the stove over medium heat until heated through.

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5 from 5 votes

15 Bean Soup Instant Pot

Easy and Delicious 15 Bean Soup with Ham is a hearty soup recipe loaded with protein and fiber. Enjoy a home cooked soup made in the Instant Pot or Crock Pot

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time40 minutes mins

Natural Pressure Release15 minutes mins

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 20 oz 15 Bean Mix - Dry Bean Mix
• 7 Cups Broth - Chicken or Vegetable
• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• ¾ Cup Onion - Diced
• 1 Cup Carrot - Diced
• 2 Stalks Celery - Diced
• 2 teaspoon Garlic - Minced
• 1-2 Bay Leaf(s)
• 14 ounce Diced Tomatoes - Canned
• 1 Cup Cooked Meat - Ham, Bacon, Chicken, Ground Beef, OR Sausage
• 1 ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
• ½ teaspoon Celery Seed
• 1 teaspoon Italian Seasonings
• 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
• 2 dashes Liquid Smoke - Optional

Instructions

• Heat Instant Pot to Saute and allow to get hot before adding a little butter or olive oil and diced onion. Saute and allow the onions to sweat for a couple of minutes. 2 Tablespoons Butter, ¾ Cup Onion
• Add diced carrots, celery and garlic. Cook for a minute or two more making sure to scrape the bottom as needed. 1 Cup Carrot, 2 Stalks Celery, 2 teaspoon Garlic
• add broth and seasonings and finally dry bean mixture. Making sure to add a Bay Leaf or two on top and close the lid. 7 Cups Broth, 14 ounce Diced Tomatoes, 1 Cup Cooked Meat, 1 ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt, ½ teaspoon Celery Seed, 1 teaspoon Italian Seasonings, 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar, 2 dashes Liquid Smoke, 20 oz 15 Bean Mix, 1-2 Bay Leaf(s)
• Pressure Cook on High for 40 minutes.
• Allow for a 15 minute Natural Pressure Release before opening the pressure value and releasing the remaining pressure.
• Remove the lid and add leftover ham or other meat of choice and diced tomatoes.
• Before serving add Apple Cider Vinegar and serve

Garnish

• Garnish with Cheese, Sour Cream or Green Yogurt. Serve with French Bread, Biscuits or rolls.

Notes

Notes: Rinse and Sort Beans

Always Rinse Beans and remove extra debris.  Often times small pebbles or misc items are mixed with beans.  Rinse and remove before cooking.

Throw away seasoning packet that comes with Bean Mix.

 

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Nutrition Disclaimer

All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.

Nutrition

Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 1417mg | Potassium: 553mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 3219IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 2mg

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