Hearty 15 Bean Soup

Name: Hearty 15 Bean Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 15 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 package (20 ounces) dried 15 bean soup mix; 1 pound smoked ham or one large ham hock; 1 large yellow onion, diced; 2 large carrots, sliced; 1 green bell pepper, chopped; 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained; 1 tablespoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth; Salt and black pepper to taste

This comforting and protein packed soup is the best way to turn a bag of assorted beans into a warm family meal.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· October 5, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

3 hours

Total

3 hours 15 minutes

Serves

There is something so special about a big pot of bean soup simmering on the stove all afternoon. It is one of those meals that fills the whole house with a savory, welcoming aroma, and it is perfect for those days when you need something nourishing and simple.

I love using this recipe to clear out the pantry and use up leftover ham from a holiday dinner. If you want to make this ahead of time, the flavor actually gets better the next day after the spices have had time to settle into the beans.

🧺 Ingredients

1 package (20 ounces) dried 15 bean soup mix
1 pound smoked ham or one large ham hock
1 large yellow onion, diced
2 large carrots, sliced
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
Salt and black pepper to taste

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Rinse the bean mix thoroughly in a colander and remove any small stones or debris. Soak the beans in water overnight, then drain and rinse them well.
2
Place the beans into a large heavy pot or a Dutch oven.
3
Add the chopped onion, carrots, bell pepper, tomatoes, and your ham or ham hock.
4
Pour the broth over the mixture and stir in the chili powder and garlic powder.
5
Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for two to three hours until the beans are tender.
6
Remove the ham hock if you used one, shred the meat from the bone, and stir it back into the soup. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

💡 Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. You can also freeze this soup in portion sizes for a quick lunch later. If the soup becomes too thick after sitting, just stir in a splash of water or broth while reheating.

#soup #dinner #healthy #high protein #comfort food

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.