Looking for an easy and delicious soup recipe that you can throw in your slow cooker and forget about for a few hours? Look no further than this Crockpot Bean Soup! This cozy and hearty Crockpot Bean Soup is loaded with flavor making it the ultimate winter soup.
Another amazing soup recipe to try is this Easy Crockpot Potato Soup with Frozen Hash Browns!
Crockpot Bean Soup
Crockpot Bean Soup is an inexpensive meal that will feed a family with easy ingredients! In addition to being delicious, this Italian-inspired soup is also packed with nutrients. Nothing beats being able to make a set it and forget it dinner that is delicious and nutritious.
There are so many reasons to love this soup because it is so easy to make and tastes so good that no one will even know it’s good for you. But I’ll let you in on all the reasons you should make this power-packed soup Sausage and Bean Soup!
The beans provide a good source of protein, fiber, and other essential vitamins and minerals. The vegetables, carrots, celery, and onions, add additional nutrients and flavor to the soup. The sausage gives the soup a rich, savory flavor and adds some fat and protein to the dish.
The combination of savory sausage and hearty beans creates a rich, satisfying flavor that will warm you up from the inside out. The slow cooker makes it easy to prepare – just toss all the ingredients in the pot and let it do the work for you.
This 3 Bean and Sausage soup is even better the next day, so feel free to make a big batch and enjoy it for lunch or dinner throughout the week.
Ingredients for Crockpot Bean Soup
This classic Crockpot bean soup has simple ingredients that combine to make a satisfying dinner in a bowl.
- Kidney, Navy, and Pinto Beans- These are my favorite types of beans but swap for any dried beans you like.
- Ground Sausage– This ground sausage adds a delicious flavor to the meal and makes sure you get meat in each bite.
- Smoked Sausage– The smokey flavor of sausage pairs great in this soup but you could switch it for kielbasa or ham.
- Diced Tomatoes– I used a can of Italian diced tomatoes. You can use regular diced tomatoes or even fire-roasted ones.
- Vegetables- Celery, carrots, and onion add flavor and nutrition to the soup. Feel free to add more veggies like spinach to amp it up.
- Beef Broth– I like the flavor of beef broth in this soup but you can easily use chicken or vegetable broth.
- Garlic Powder– Garlic is one of my favorite seasonings and I can never get enough. I used garlic powder but fresh minced garlic would work as well.
- Italian Seasoning– This seasoning adds Italian flavors to the soup like basil, thyme, rosemary, and oregano.
- Paprika– I like to add paprika to this dish for an extra pop of flavor.
- Bay Leaf– Another classic Italian flavor that adds depth to the recipe combination.
How to Make Crockpot Bean Soup
Step 1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground sausage. Cook until the sausage is browned and fully cooked, then remove it from the skillet and set it aside.
Step 2. Add the beans, kielbasa, carrots, celery, onions, ground sausage, and diced tomatoes.
Step 3. Sprinkle spices and bay leaf over all the ingredients.
Step 4. Pour beef broth in and stir to combine the ingredients.
Step 5. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours, or until the beans are tender and the flavors have melded together. Season with salt to taste.
Step 6. Serve the soup hot, garnished with some fresh herbs or a sprinkling of cheese, if desired.
Best Crockpot Soups
Crockpots are ideal for cooking soup! As you know I love to use my slow cooker for any recipe I can find. But soups are one of the types of recipes that really shine when cooked in the slow cooker.
These are some great reasons to get a delicious soup simmering today!
This slow and gentle cooking process helps to develop and intensify the flavors of the soup, resulting in a rich and delicious dish.
Crockpots are also convenient to use because they can be set in advance and left to cook without requiring much attention, which makes them a great option for busy days or for cooking while running errands.
Additionally, because they cook food at a low temperature, they can help to preserve the nutrients in the ingredients, which can be beneficial for soups that contain a lot of vegetables, like this one.
Check out these recipes if you are looking for more soup ideas! Cheesy Potato Kielbasa Soup, Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup, 7 Can Taco Soup, Mexican Meatball Soup, and Slow Cooker Broccoli and Cheddar Soup.
Can I Use Different Beans in this Soup?
Absolutely! One of the best parts about this Sausage and Bean soup recipe is you can cater it to your preferences.
There are many different kinds of beans that you can use in this soup. Some common types of beans include black beans, kidney beans, navy beans, pinto beans, and cannellini beans.
You could also try using lentils, chickpeas, or other types of legumes in your soup for added flavor and texture. Ultimately, the choice of beans to use in a recipe will depend on your personal preferences and the flavor profile you’re trying to achieve. Experiment with different types of beans to find the ones that you like best.
Why Make This Crockpot Bean Soup?
This Crockpot bean soup recipe is a tasty and convenient option for a healthy and satisfying meal.
- Easy to prep and cook – This Crockpot bean soup only takes 15 minutes to prep and will just get better cooking all day.
- Healthy and Nutritious- Made with a variety of beans and vegetables.
- Cooks best in the Crockpot- Cooking it in the crockpot helps to develop and intensify the flavors of the soup, resulting in a rich and delicious dish.
- Customize It- The recipe is also versatile and can be adapted to suit your taste or to use up ingredients you have on hand.
Do I Need to Soak the Beans Overnight?
One of the great parts about slow cookers is that you don’t need to soak the beans overnight. You can just throw them in with all the other ingredients and let them cook all day.
However, if you need your recipe done quicker soaking the beans overnight does help to reduce cooking time and makes them easier to digest.
To soak beans overnight, start by picking through the beans to remove any debris or small stones. Rinse the beans under cold water, then put them in a large pot or bowl and cover them with water. The water should be at least two inches above the level of the beans. Let the beans soak for at least 8 hours or overnight. In the morning, drain the beans and rinse them again before using them in your soup.
Can I use Canned Beans in this recipe?
Yes, you can definitely use canned beans in this recipe. Using canned beans will save you the time and effort of soaking and cooking dried beans, and they will still provide the same nutritional benefits.
Just be sure to rinse and drain the canned beans well before adding them to the soup to remove any excess sodium or preservatives. You may also need to adjust the seasonings in the recipe slightly to account for the fact that canned beans are already cooked and may have a different flavor profile than dried beans.
Always taste your soup when it is done cooking to adjust seasonings!
What Kind of Sausage Should I Use?
My favorite kind of sausage to use in this recipe is a mix of ground breakfast sausage and smoked sausage.
You can use any ground meat or sausage that you like. This soup is a wonderful recipe to use when you need to clean out your refrigerator and use up anything.
I have made this recipe with kielbasa, andouille sausage, and bratwurst before. I usually just buy the Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage and they have regular and hot versions. I love to switch it up and get the hot version sometimes.
Plus, you can use turkey sausage if you are trying to make it even healthier. However, I do think the fat from the sausage is what makes the rich flavor of this recipe so I wouldn’t use too low of fat for the meat.
Can I Use Ham Instead of Sausage?
Yes, you can use ham instead of sausage in this recipe if you prefer! This is a great way to use up leftover ham from Easter or Christmas.
Ham will provide a slightly different flavor profile than sausage, but it will still be delicious in this soup. Just be sure to dice the ham into small pieces before adding it to the soup so that it cooks evenly and blends well with the other ingredients.
You may also want to adjust the seasonings in the recipe slightly to complement the flavor of the ham. Experiment with different seasonings and add them to the soup to taste.
Healthy Crockpot Bean Soup
This 3 bean soup has many healthy ingredients, such as beans and vegetables, which are good sources of protein, fiber, and other essential nutrients. However, the soup is cooked in beef broth, which may be high in sodium.
If you’re concerned about the nutritional content of this soup, you can try using leaner cuts of meat or reducing the amount of sausage that you use in the recipe. You can also consider using low-sodium beef broth or adding more vegetables to the soup to increase its nutritional value.
How to Store Crockpot Bean Soup
To store Crockpot bean soup, first, let the soup cool to room temperature. Transfer the soup to a container with a tight-fitting lid and place it in the refrigerator. The soup will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Can You Freeze Crockpot Bean Soup?
Yes! This is such a great freezer-friendly crockpot recipe. If you want to freeze this Crockpot Bean Soup let the soup cool first. Then transfer the soup to a freezer-safe container and freeze it for up to 3 months.
To serve the soup, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it on the stove or in the microwave until it is hot. Be sure to stir the soup occasionally and add a little water or broth if needed to adjust the consistency.
It’s important to store the soup properly to prevent bacteria from growing and to maintain its flavor and texture.
Food Allergies
All of the ingredients I use are gluten-free. My husband has celiac disease, which means you are allergic to gluten.
You will need to make sure to use gluten-free sausage with this recipe. Most sausage is naturally gluten-free but there are some that have beer in them or other gluten fillers so just always double-check.
Crockpot Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 16 oz ground sausage browned and fat drained
- 12 oz smoked sausage cut into halves
- 1/2 cup white beans dried
- 1/2 cup kidney beans dried
- 1/2 cup pinto beans
- 1 cup celery diced
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 12.5 oz diced tomatoes with garlic, basil and oregano
- 1 cup carrots diced
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 bay leaf
- 5 cups beef broth low sodium
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground sausage. Cook until the sausage is browned and fully cooked, then remove it from the skillet and set it aside.
- Add the beans, kielbasa, carrots, celery, onion, ground sausage, and diced tomatoes.
- Sprinkle spices and bay leaf over all the ingredients.
- Pour beef broth in and stir to combine the ingredients.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours, or until the beans are tender and the flavors have melded together. Remove bay leaf.
- Serve the soup hot, garnished with some fresh herbs or a sprinkling of cheese, if desired.
yesnospin says
This is a great recipe! I made it tonight and it was so easy and delicious. I will definitely be making it again.
Allison Treadwell says
Awesome! So happy you love it!