Slow Cooker Bean and Bacon Soup Recipe-Butter Your Biscuit

Bean and bacon soup in a white bowl with bacon on top.

This is one of those set-it-and-forget-it recipes that works perfectly for busy days, like my Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup. Toss everything into the slow cooker in the morning, and by dinnertime, you’ve got a cozy, homemade dinner waiting for you with minimal effort.

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The bacon adds that irresistible smoky flavor, while the beans soak up all the goodness as they cook low and slow. I like to serve it with a side of my No Knead Artisan Bread or Skillet Cornbread for a perfect meal.

Quick Look: Slow Cooker Bean and Bacon Soup

⏱️ Prep Time: 15 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 6 hours
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 6
📊 Calories: ~369 kcal per serving
🥣 Ingredients: white beans, chicken stock, carrots, onions, celery, garlic, bacon, tomato paste, bay leaves.
⭐ Difficulty: Easy, and budget-friendly!

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Why You'll Love This Recipe

Cozy, Comforting Flavor
This soup is rich, smoky, and full of hearty goodness from the bacon and beans—it’s the kind of meal that warms you up from the inside out and feels like a hug in a bowl.

Easy Set-It-and-Forget-It Dinner
Just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it do the work. It’s perfect for busy days when you want a homemade meal without standing over the stove.

Budget-Friendly & Filling
Made with simple, affordable ingredients, this soup stretches and freezes really well, like my Slow Cooker Pinto Beans.

Ingredients Needed

Beans: Navy beans or small white beans, or dried great northern beans
Bacon: I like to use smoky bacon, but ham can also be used.
Liquid smoke: This is optional, but it does add a nice smoky flavor like the original Campbell Soup.
Chicken stock or chicken broth.
Tomato paste: You can use 1/2 cup tomato sauce in a pinch.

How to make Slow Cooker Bean and Bacon Soup

Bacon being cooked in a cast iron skillet.

Step 1: Heat a large skillet on medium-high heat and add the diced bacon.
Step 2: Cook the bacon until crispy and remove with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.

All the ingredients added to a slow cooker and cooked.

Step 3: Add all the ingredients to a slow cooker and cook.
Step 4: Discard the bay leaves and add 1 1/2 cups of the soup to a blender and pulse, then add back into the soup

A ladel scooping some soup out of the slow cooker.

Recipe Tips

Add a ham hock to the slow cooker bean soup instead of bacon.
The liquid smoke is optional, but it adds a great smoky flavor to the soup.
If you have leftover tomato paste, just add it to a ziplock freezer bag and freeze it for more delicious soups.
If you're using dried beans, I recommend soaking them overnight, or it will take them much longer to cook.

A spoon taking a bite out of bean and bacon soup.

Bean and Bacon Soup Faq's

Can I freeze this soup?

Yes, this soup freezes beautifully! Place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and heat in the microwave or a saucepan on the stovetop until heated through for a quick and easy dinner on a cold day.

Can this be made on the stovetop?

Yes, heat a large pot on medium heat and cook the bacon until crispy. Remove to a paper towel and drain the fat. Add the rest of the ingredients to the pot and cook on low for 2-3 hours, unless you're using dry beans, then it will have to simmer 3-4 hours or until tender.

How do I thicken the soup?

By blending 1 1/2 cups in a food processor, blender or immersion blender, you will get a thicker soup. You could also make a cornstarch slurry and thicken it that way.