Menu

Hearty Pork Bean Soup

4 reviews
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time

Prep: 20 min. + soaking Cook: 6 hours 20 min.

Makes

12 servings (about 4 quarts)

Updated: Nov. 08, 2023
It's wonderful to come home to this pork bean soup dinner simmering away in a slow cooker, especially on a busy weeknight. This soup uses dried beans and is simple to throw together in the morning before work. When you get home, just add a few more ingredients, and in half an hour dinner is ready! Do not put the tomatoes in for the first 8 hours of cooking, or the beans will not become soft. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Hearty Pork Bean Soup
Hearty Pork Bean Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Next Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 package (16 ounces) dried great northern beans
  • 1 large sweet onion, chopped
  • 3 medium carrots, chopped
  • 3 celery ribs, chopped
  • 1 pork tenderloin (1 pound)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon fresh minced chives or 1 teaspoon dried chives
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 carton (32 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 bottle (12 ounces) extra pale ale
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
  • 5 ounces fresh spinach
  • 1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons salt

Directions

  1. Rinse and sort beans. Place in a large saucepan; add water to cover by 2 in. Let soak, covered, overnight. Drain and rinse beans, discarding liquid.
  2. Return beans to saucepan; add water to cover by 2 in. Bring to a boil. Boil 15 minutes. Drain and rinse beans, discarding liquid.
  3. In a 6-qt. slow cooker, layer beans, onion, carrots, celery and pork. Add seasonings, broth and ale. Cook, covered, on low until beans and pork are tender, 6-8 hours.
  4. Remove pork; shred with 2 forks. Stir in tomatoes, spinach and salt. Return pork to slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/3 cups: 207 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 695mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 9g fiber), 18g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat.