Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup

Ham and Bean Soup

Ham and Bean Soup is a classic simple savory bean soup. It’s often an easy way to use leftover ham, especially after the holiday feasts.

Instead of cooking on a stovetop or slow cooker, you can easily make ham and bean soup in Instant Pot with dried beans.

Since you don’t need to use soaked beans or canned beans, you don’t have to worry about preparing it hours ahead!

What do we look for in a great Ham & Bean Soup?

With our Ham and Bean Soup Instant Pot recipe, we want to keep it simple, yet take it a step up from the old-fashioned Ham and Bean Soup.

Texture:

• Ham: Tender, juicy, smoky ham with some chew and a satisfying mouthfeel
• Beans: fully cooked and creamy, a combination of “tender with some chew” + “soft and slight mush” – this adds mouthfeel, body, and thickness to the soup
• Broth: somewhat thick, full of body, and not liquidy

Flavor: smoky, savory, balanced and packed with depths of flavors

Mini Experiment: Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup

Experiment Method & Results

Pressure Cooker: Instant Pot Pressure Cooker (6qt)
Altitude: close to sea level
Pressure: High Pressure (10.15~11.6 psi)
Pressure Cooking Time: 30 mins, 50 mins
Release Method: Full Natural Release

We did 2+ tests with the same ingredients using different cooking times in our Instant Pot.

Experiment Conclusions

• Test #1: Broth is less flavorful while the beans are more flavorful.
• Test #2: More flavors from the beans have imparted to the broth. So the broth is more flavorful while the beans are less flavorful.

With these insights, we developed 2 options for making Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup Recipe:

Option A – Dump-and-Go Version: Easy no-fuss method where you place all the ingredients in the Instant Pot, then set it and forget it. Season, garnish, and serve.

Option B – Fancy Version: If you want to kick it up a notch, use this method. Divide the pinto beans in 2 batches, then put them in the Instant Pot at 2 separate times. This allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds from the 2 above tests. This yields a more flavorful soup full of body and textures.

How to Make Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup

Ingredients for cooking Ham and Bean Soup in Instant Pot:

Ham

We developed this easy ham and bean soup Instant Pot recipe with a smoked ham hock. But you can also use leftover ham, ham steaks, or ham bone to make this pressure cooker ham and bean soup.

• Honey-Baked Ham: If you’re substituting with honey-baked ham, keep in mind it’ll add some sweetness to the soup.
• Ham Bone: If you’re substituting with a ham bone, it’s best to use a smokey ham bone with some meat.

Beans

We developed this Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup with pinto beans. You don’t need to pre-soak or quick soak the pinto beans for this recipe.

• Other Beans: Our readers have substituted the pinto beans with other types of beans (i.e. 15 bean mix, navy beans). And their soups turned out delicious. Check out the Comments section below for more details.
• Canned Beans: You can substitute the dried beans with canned beans. Since canned beans are cooked, follow Option B – Fancy Version instructions. Pressure cook the soup at High Pressure for 30 minutes, then put the canned beans in Instant Pot, then pressure cook at High Pressure for another 10 minutes.
• Old Dried Beans: Although beans have a relatively long shelf life, older beans with varying dryness may need a much longer cooking time. Sometimes dry pinto beans can get so old and stale (even on store shelves) that they’ll still be hard or crunchy after a long cooking time. Especially when they’re not stored properly.

Unsalted Chicken Stock & Unsalted Butter. We prefer to develop recipes using unsalted ingredients for more control and consistency in the dish’s flavors. If you’re substituting with salted ingredients, taste and adjust the saltiness accordingly.

Jalapeno Pepper (Optional). Feel free to add some diced Jalapeno pepper as garnish if you want to add a spicy kick to your Instant Pot ham and beans.

Tools for Ham and Bean Soup Instant Pot Recipe

• Instant Pot Pressure Cooker (6qt)
• Fine Mesh Strainer

Option B – Fancy Version

Saute Onions and Herbs in Instant Pot

Press “Saute” button to “Sauté More” function to heat up the Instant Pot.

Note: It’ll switch to “ON” on the screen.

Wait until it says “HOT” on the screen (takes roughly 8 minutes).

Add 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter or olive oil in Instant Pot, then quickly add in sliced onions to prevent the butter from burning. Season it with a pinch of salt.

Saute the sliced onions for 3 minutes.

Add 6 crushed garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon (2.7g) ground cumin, 1 pinch dried oregano, 2 bay leaves, ¼ teaspoon (1.5g) fine table salt in Instant Pot. Then saute for another minute.

Deglaze Instant Pot

Pour ½ cup (125ml) unsalted chicken stock in Instant Pot.

Then, completely deglaze the bottom of the pot by scrubbing the flavorful brown bits with a wooden spoon. Keep the brown bits as they are very flavorful.

Pressure Cook Ham and Bean Soup

Add 2 pounds smoked ham hock and 1 cup (206g) pinto beans in Instant Pot.

Pour 2½ cups (625ml) unsalted chicken stock in Instant Pot.

With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position.

Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup Cook Time: Pressure cook ham and bean soup at High Pressure for 10 minutes, then Full Natural Release (roughly 15 minutes).

After Full Natural Release, carefully turn Venting Knob to the Venting position. Remove the lid.

Pressure Cook Ham and Bean Soup Again

Add chopped carrots, remaining 1 cup (206g) pinto beans, and 2 cups (500ml) unsalted chicken stock in Instant Pot.

Amy + Jacky’s Tips: Mix well and make sure all the pinto beans are submerged in the stock.

With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position.

Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup Cook Time: Pressure cook at High Pressure for 25 minutes, then Full Natural Release (roughly 20 minutes).

After Full Natural Release, carefully turn Venting Knob to the Venting position. Remove the lid.

Cut Ham, Thicken & Season Bean Soup

Remove and set aside the ham hock in a large mixing bowl.

Bring the bean soup back to a boil using the “Saute High” function. Then, allow the bean soup to boil for 1 to 2 minutes.

Amy + Jacky’s Tips: If you have a glass lid, cover the soup as you bring it back to a boil. It’ll speed up the process.

While you’re waiting for the soup to boil, cut the meat with a knife on the chopping board. Shred them if you like. The ham is super juicy!

Add the ham back in the bean soup in Instant Pot.

Taste the Instant Pot ham and beans, then adjust the seasoning with kosher salt.

Garnish and Serve Ham and Bean Soup

To serve, garnish the Ham and Bean Soup with chopped cilantro and minced tomatoes.

Amy + Jacky’s Notes: Cilantro adds freshness and fragrance while the minced tomatoes add a fresh crunch to your Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup.

If you want to spice it up, garnish with some Jalapeno pepper. Serve and enjoy immediately~

What to Serve with Ham and Bean Soup

This comforting Ham and Bean Soup Instant Pot recipe goes well with many main or side dishes. Here are some tasty ideas for you:

Main Dishes: Instant Pot Spaghetti, Instant Pot Chicken and Rice, Instant Pot Risotto.

Bread, Sandwiches, Crackers: Serve this ham and bean soup with bread like easy no knead bread, cornbread, French baguettes, sourdough, grilled cheese sandwich, toasted garlic bread, dinner rolls, biscuits, croutons, or saltine crackers.

Sides, Salads, Vegetables: Coleslaw, green salads like Caesar salad, broccoli, potato salad, quinoa, corn on the cob, baked potatoes, roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes, mac and cheese, green beans, garlic buttered cabbage.

Enjoy Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup!

More Instant Pot Bean Soup Recipes

• Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
• Instant Pot Lentil Soup
• Instant Pot Pinto Beans
• Instant Pot Black Beans
• Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas