Instant Pot Bean Soup with Ham

Enjoy the comforting flavors of homemade soup in record time with this Instant Pot bean soup with ham recipe. Enjoy it for a quick lunch, a cozy dinner, or whenever you need a soul-soothing meal.

This recipe takes leftovers and transforms them into a savory soup with a hint of tartness - thanks to our secret ingredient. While the slow cooker ham and bean soup has its charm, the Instant Pot's speed makes it a lifesaver for those busy days.

During busy weeknights or the holiday season, time is of the essence. With instant pot recipes, you not only get a faster cook time, but a faster clean up time. Making for great easy recipes and heartwarming meals.

Like this instant pot cheeseburger soup, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknight dinners and makes great leftovers for lunch the next day. If you're cooking for picky eaters, you can make instant pot pasta in minutes next time you need to quickly get dinner on the table.

Why you'll love this easy ham soup

• It's a speedy solution to the classic bean soup recipe without compromising any flavor
• You can customize this recipe with your favorite ingredients and seasonings
• Make the most out of leftover ham by turning it into a delicious second day meal
• With the instant pot, the cleanup is effortless
• The pomegranate elevates this recipe in a way you won't find anywhere else.

The ingredients

• Ham - I like to use a leftover ham hock bone from Thanksgiving or Christmas.
• Navy beans - These beans hold their shape well and absorb tons of flavors. You can also use great northern beans, white beans, pinto beans, and/or black beans. 
• Chicken broth - Chicken stock adds a great source of protein and also provides a rich base for the soup.
• Pomegranate - This is a secret ingredients we've been using for years. It adds a touch of tartness that everyone loves.
• Seasoning - Classic seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, pepper, and onion create a well balanced flavor profile. Feel free to add Italian seasoning, bay leaves, a seasoning packet, or anything else you think would spice up this soup. 

What sides go well with instant pot ham soup?

While the classic salad bar is always a great side dish, you can also serve this hearty soup with a gluten free cornbread casserole, instant pot carrots, or gluten-free garlic bread. If you're looking for another comfort food, serve with these gluten-free mashed potatoes.

How to make Instant pot bean soup

Step 1: Throw everything together

Add everything except the pomegranate juice and seeds to the bottom of the Instant pot.

Step 2: Cook

Cook on high pressure for 25 minutes then do a natural release for 15 minutes. A quick release won't give you the same smoky ham flavor. 

Step 3: Shred the ham

Remove the leftover ham bone, shred the meat off, and put the ham back in your soup. Discard the bone, excess fat, or any part of the ham you don't want.

Step 4: Final touches

Mix in the pomegranate juice and half the seeds. Serve and top with more pomegranate seeds.

Pro tip: Make sure to rinse the beans throughly before adding to the soup.

You can add toppings before serving. My favorite toppings are a drizzle of olive oil or shredded cheese. Parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, or even pepper jack cheese adds a nice touch to soup recipes.