A classic soup, made in the Instant Pot! Just a few minutes prep, let it cook and you have the most delicious Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup!
If you’ve been visiting me here at the Blog for long, you know the history I have with Ham and Bean Soup. If you don’t want to head over to That post, – although the condiment we used with our Ham and Bean Soup is “IN-ter-esting”, to say the least – I will cut to the chase. It used to be a love/hate relationship, but now it’s full-on LOVE! Especially since the arrival of my Instant Pot! Now, my other recipe for this soup is decidedly for the Dutch Oven due to some slow-cooking techniques. And THAT soup will add such amazing aroma to your home! You just need a bit more time to cook it. But you know me, I’m “a little bit country, a little bit Rock’n’Roll” (Quiz: who originally sang THAT song?), so I do either, depending on whatever else is going on.
The IP has completely changed the way some of us cook. This Ham and Bean Soup, for instance, used to be relegated to “Weekend Only” status, due to cook time. But, the ease of preparation with an IP makes a full-on weekend-style Monday night dinner. And a batch big enough to serve as leftovers or Tuesday through Friday lunch! Besides, I had a pretty nice Ham Bone left over from Christmas just waiting in my freezer. And, this was the first soup I’ve made in my IP, so I’m looking forward to making more.
So if you’re looking for a little weekend-style meal during a hectic week, be sure to give this Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup a try!
Enjoy!
Be sure to check our other SOUPS I’ve made, including Dutch Oven Ham and Bean Soup, Click HERE.
And other IP recipes HERE!
Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup
The easiest possible recipe for this delicious and satisfying classic soup! Just chop and place all ingredients in the Instant Pot. Pressure cook 45 minutes, and Keep Warm until ready to serve!
- Prep Time: 20 min + 2 hours to soak beans
- Cook Time: 60 min
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 1 lb White beans (I used Navy Beans), soaked at least 2 hours
- 2 Smoked Ham Hocks (about 2 lb total)
- 1 lg onion, chopped
- 4 stalks celery, including leaves, chopped
- 3 Carrots, chopped
- 6 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 1/2 tsp dry thyme
- 1 t Liquid Smoke
- 8 c stock, any variety, or water
For Finishing
- 3 T Apple Cider Vinegar
Instructions
- Gather ingredients, chop the vegetables, drain the soaked beans.
- Put all of the “For the Soup” ingredients into the Instant Pot. Be sure to not fill the pot greater than the “Pressure Cook Max” line, or 2/3 full. (See Note 1) You may need to decrease added stock or water.
- Seal and lock the lid. Set at Manual Pressure Cook for 45 minutes.
- Let Pressure release naturally for at least 10 minutes, or “Keep Warm” until ready to serve. (See Note 2)
- Just prior to serving, remove the ham hocks from the soup, and add Cider Vinegar. Cut any remaining meat from the ham hocks and return it to the pot. Salt and pepper to taste. Stir and serve.
Notes
1. Be sure the beans are below the water line, so they fully soften during the cook time.
2. I assembled my soup in the IP in the morning, and let it stay at “Keep Warm” until dinner time.
Keywords: Instant Pot, ham and bean, soup
PIN Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup for Later->
love how creamy this looks and smoky this sounds! perfect for the (not so cold but still) california weather.
★★★★★
Ha, thanks Heather! Although to me, it’s a “cold weather” food, I guess the definition of cold is different across the country. It is nice and smoky though, which I think adds to the “cozy” vibe. Thank you for visiting!
My mother always made ham and bean soup when we were growing up Laura! And your looks exactly like it. Bet it’s just as delicious too.
★★★★★
Thanks, Mary Ann! My mom would make it all the time, too! So when I make it now, I always think of her. It’s wonderful. Thanks for your visit!
What is the purpose of the apple cider vinegar?
Karen, that is a really good question! In a soup or stew, a bit of acid, such as cider vinegar can kind of sharpen or “wake up” other flavors in the recipe. I would describe it as something that provides a bit of balance, if that makes sense.. Sometimes I’ll add lemon or lime juice, or balsamic vinegar, for example, but it just depends on the soup.I hope this helps!
This sounds like the perfect bowl of soup for this time of year, delicious!
Thanks, Caroline – it really is my favorite wintertime soup, although delicious all year, there’s just something extra cozy about this one! Thanks for visiting me!
Love bean anything – we always have them on hand. I got an IP for Christmas and have been using it ever since! Great for those meals that usually take a little longer in the oven or on the stovetop. Would love to curl up with a big bowl of this right now with a big slice for buttered bread for dunkin’ 🙂 Happy Monday, Laura!
★★★★★
Thanks, Dawn! Glad you have an IP – it is a great time-saver and really ups the weeknight dinner game! Glad you are a bean fan, too! So many to choose from, right? Thanks for visiting!
I’m fairly certain I am the only person in the world without an instant pot. Seriously! I keep thinking about getting one, but then I have a hard time justifying yet another kitchen appliance. But now that I’ve seen this soup? This might be the tipping point! This looks amazing, Laura, and I love that it can be made on a hectic weeknight…lord knows we have enough of those around our house lately! Looks delicious, my friend!
David – thanks so much! I don’t know, they keep improving the IP so it might be a good strategy to wait a bit – more functions may let you give up a different appliance! But it is good for a quick meal that tastes like it took hours!
A total classic! Love that you can make it in the instant pot – that’ll speed things up big time! Very inviting for the cold weather we’ve been having 🙂
Thanks Katherine! You’re right that this is the perfect cold weather meal! I think of it every time the temperature dips!
We love ham and beans! My mouth is watering!!! Pinned!
Thanks Kim and thank you for the Pin!
This ham and bean soup looks like the ultimate cold weather meal! So…..confession. I bought an IP and then returned it without using it because it intimidated me so much hahaha. But now I wish I had it because you make it sound like such a game changer for weeknight meals! Yum!!
Kelly, I get how it can be intimidating. And the book of directions doesn’t make it seem as easy as it actually is. Like everything else, it just takes a little practice. Plus there’s all that feeling of pressure cookers being risky, but believe me, the IP is as easy as it gets. This recipe is just dumping all the ingredients in and turn the IP on. After a couple times using it, it seems pretty simple. Thanks for visiting!
This looks like a hug in a bowl! I still don’t have an instant pot but I think I need to get one so I can make this!
Thanks, Kelsie, that’s a great way to describe this soup! I do love the IP, but I go in cycles using it vs. cooking the “old-fashioned” way. Thanks fo visiting!
Donnie and Marie is who comes to mind. Laura, you’ll love your IP, it’s fantastic for soups and your bean soup looks mighty pleasing. Man that cornbread looks good. I miss those little packages of Jiffy cornbread mix. We don’t have them over here and I’ve never seen cornbread except on our table.
Ron – you win the prize! Unfortunately, it’s just the warm glow of victory, but I’d send you a case of Jiffy Cornbread mix if you want! I do love cornbread, too, I seem to use a different recipe every time. But love them all! Glad you like the soup!
I don’t remember when was the last time I had ham and bean soup. Yours looks great, thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks, Karen! It’s pretty much a winter staple for us, as it’s pretty easy and so so good! Thank you for visiting!
We finally have some snow here so it is really so inviting to make this one after being out on cold and snow !
This is the perfect dish for snowy weather! Hope you’re enjoying the snow!
I love homemade bean soup. ?
❤️☺️