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It’s almost here, you guys! Easter!
Now, I’m basically only excited for Easter because of the food. Those peanut butter eggs? If I don’t eat at least one entire six-pack of those on Easter Day, I’m depressed for the rest of the year. Can’t stop, won’t stop. I need my peanut butter eggs.
You know what else I need? Ham, y’all. I love me some ham.
I mean, first of all, it’s so salty and delicious. Second of all, there are always leftovers.
Leftovers means coming up with creative new ways to eat the ham – though, I’ll admit that I often find myself eating slices of it cold, straight from the fridge. Sometimes with a squirt of mustard on it. I gotta be me.
Anyway, this year I’ve come up with a tasty way to use up a bit of the leftover ham that will also feed an army. Did I mention the slow cooker? Nobody wants to spend all weekend cooking a big holiday meal only to turn around and spend the next week in the kitchen trying to use up the leftovers. This is an easy recipe!
I start with a package of Hurst’s Beans. I’ve been working with them this year, developing new recipes featuring their beans, and I’ve really fallen in love with beans again since doing so. Finding new ways to use beans has been really fun and I’ve hit on some pretty delicious recipes. My white bean and ham soup and slow cooker refried beans are so dang good!
Anyway, this time around I started this soup with a package of Hurst’s Cajun 15 Bean Soup. There is a little seasoning packet right in the bag of beans which makes this extra easy. It adds the perfect little kick of flavor to this recipe.
You’ll toss the beans in a slow cooker with a few veggies and a bunch of stock and let them cook away. No need to soak them! I told you this was easy.
Once the beans are tender, you dump in your leftover ham and some canned tomatoes. I like to serve this with a dollop of sour cream and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Such an easy meal!
Slow Cooker Cajun Ham and Beans
Ingredients
- 1 package Hurst's Cajun 15 Bean Soup
- 8 ounces carrots
- 1 sweet onion
- 4 stalks celery
- 2 cloves garlic
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 15 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups diced cooked ham
Instructions
- Rinse and sort the beans, removing any debris.
- Add beans and seasoning packet to a 6 quart slow cooker set to high.
- Dice the carrots, onions, celery, and garlic and add to the slow cooker along with the chicken broth.
- Cover and cook on high for 5 hours or until beans are tender.
- Add canned tomatoes (undrained) and ham to the slow cooker. Stir and continue cooking for 1 more hour.
- Serve with a dollop of sour cream.
bob bender says
what if i soaked beans overnight ?
Karly says
You’d probably need to reduce the cooking time and possibly the liquid, but I haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure.
Chrissie O. says
On the 15-bean soup, they do give a quick cook method, boiling just the bean combination for 1.5 hrs; then making the soup and simmering 30-45 minutes. Hope that helps!!
Rose says
I loved this recipe. However, it does take a long time in the crockpot. I see that you have posted some instant pot recipes and wonder if you could help me convert this recipe? Thanks in advance for your help.
Karly says
I haven’t tried this one in the Instant Pot, but I would probably reduce the liquid to 6 cups and then add more after cooking if needed to get it more soupy. I’d cook everything but the tomatoes and ham on high pressure for 40 minutes, natural release, and then add the tomatoes and ham on saute for 5 or 10 minutes with more liquid as desired. Hope that helps!
Rose says
Oh my gosh, great bean soup!! Made as written, except cut recipe in half (there are only two of us). Used 1 1/2 cups of beans and split the cajun mix in half. Thanks for sharing.
Andrea says
Anyone know if this is bean mix is gluten free? Trying to come up with yummy recipes that my daughter can eat….and she LOVES Cajun flavor.
Karly says
According to their website, their seasonings and beans are all gluten free. 🙂
Debbie says
I found the cajun beans at Walmart.
Nicole says
I don’ t have the hurst beans in my area of the country. What spices are in the bag?
Karly says
I’m not sure of the exact spices, but it adds a Cajun flavor, so maybe start there?
Tori says
Yuh-UH-MAH! Cajun flavors are something that remind me of being little and I can tell I’d be in love with this!!!
Karly says
Hope you give it a try!
Denise Wright says
This looks great! i can’t wait to use our leftover ham from Easter to make this.
Liz says
Nice soup Karly. Thank you and Happy Easter