Navy Bean Soup Recipe

This hearty, healthy Navy Bean Soup is the perfect dinner option for a quick and easy meal. Soups are a fantastic way to get a variety of nutrients, flavor and textures in a simple all-in-one style meal; and they can be very budget friendly.

This soup comes together in about 15 minutes in your slow cooker for an easy no fuss dinner that will cook while you go about your day. We also have instructions for stovetop as well as Instant Pot if you would rather use these methods.

Add some homemade, soft Dinner Rolls and this tasty Spinach Salad for a completely wonderful meal experience.

Why do they call it navy bean soup?

The name is credited to the use of the bean as a staple food in the US Navy during the 1900s. These beans are small and soft when cooked making them a delicious option for mashing and thickening the textures of recipes. They also have a mild flavor so they are pleasant in an array of different cuisines. The navy bean is also credited to hold the highest amount of fiber in the bean and legume family, roughly 29 grams per cup.

Do you have to soak navy beans overnight?

All dried beans require soaking in cold water for a period of time to lessen cooking time and soften them. If you are cooking this soup using the stovetop method you will need to soak them the night before to ensure they cook fully and soften to a pleasant texture.

If you are using the crockpot or instant pot methods you will not have to soak your beans. The instant pot will cook the beans under high pressure which will expedite the softening of the beans. If you are cooking this soup using your crockpot or slow cooker, the slow cook all day will soften the beans to a pleasant texture.

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How long does navy bean soup last?

You can store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. If you want to freeze soup allow it to cool completely and transfer it to a freezer safe airtight container; soup can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To defrost and reheat your soup remove it from your freezer and allow it to thaw slightly at room temperature. Once it is slightly soft transfer it to a soup pot and slowly heat it on medium low heat.

Navy Bean Soup Recipe Notes:

You can make your own bone broth from your leftover bones! It’s easiest to do in an instant pot if you have one. We show you how in our Instant Pot Bone Broth recipe or our Hambone Soup from leftovers recipe is all about using your stock pot right on your stove to make a delicious healthy broth or soup base.

If not, Chicken broth or stock will work well too.

Slow Cooker Method:

1. Chop up the ham and veggies.
2. Then toss in some seasonings and the dried Navy beans.
3. Now let it simmer away for about 6 hours and enjoy the divine smell all day long.

I added carrots, celery, onion, and garlic to this soup because I like lots of variety in my soups. You can certainly be creative and add whatever seasonings and vegetables that you like in order to make it your own creation.

Another way to add a bit of variety to you soup is by changing up the seasonings. Maybe use some Sweet Mesquite or McCormick’s Smokehouse Maple. These seasonings will add a slightly smoky flavor that taste amazing.

Instant Pot Navy Bean Soup:

You will see this cooking method demonstrated in the video. Here’s the steps.

• Cook the beans with water (20 minutes)
• Prep the ham and veggies
• drain the beans and sauté the ham, onions and garlic.
• Assemble the soup and cook. (40 minutes)

Stove Stop Navy Bean Soup:

• Prep: soak beans night before
• Cook the soaked beans in a big pot on stove until soft. (an hour or so)
• Add the seasonings, prepped ham and veggies.
• Cook until carrots are soft.
• Simmer until serving time as desired. Stirring occasionally

Do beans spike blood sugar?

Beans are a carbohydrate but they are low on the glycemic index making them a good choice for special diets where blood sugar levels are a concern. Beans are considered a complex carbohydrate, they digest slowly and help to keep blood sugar levels stable.

 Your Printable Navy Bean Soup Recipe:

This recipe card has instructions for Navy bean soup made in the instant pot, slow cooker or stove top. Enjoy!

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