Slow Cooker 15 Bean Soup Recipe

Just in case you were wondering, it's no coincidence that both recipes I've recently posted are for slow cooker/ crock pot soup meals. I probably make a hearty soup about once a week-- it serves as our "staple" for lunches and quick meals, then I cook a few other things during the week that don't create so many leftovers. This serves two purposes: 1) convenience. A reasonably well balanced meal all in a bowl that's easy to heat up and eat quickly on busier days. 2) cost. These soups are money saving because they usually use frozen veggies and often broth from previous recipes, so I can get more food for less money, freeing up funds to make the other meals I cook a little nicer. Plus, it's nice to have at least one meal each week that is super quick and easy to make.

I wanted to go ahead and post this recipe because tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day! And if y'all celebrate with Corned Beef and Cabbage (which I also make in the slow cooker, by the way), this is a great recipe to make with all the leftover broth. Also, to mention cost again, if you use leftover broth, then you will basically be able to make a huge pot of soup for the cost of dried beans and an onion. That's, what, $3? Cha-ching!

Ingredients:
1 package dried beans (16 bean soup mix--toss out the flavoring packet)
4 cups water
6 cups broth (I used leftover broth from making corned beef and cabbage, but you could use chicken broth from the store, veggie broth, etc).
large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped (or about 1 tbsp dried)
2 medium bay leaves
thyme
black pepper
rosemary
basil                                                                

Instructions:
1) Rinse beans, then soak in 8 cups water for 4-5 hours. Drain.
2) Add all ingredients (spice to taste--I added about a teaspoon of each) to slow cooker. 
3) Cook on high for 4-5 hours (Until beans have just the tiniest bit of crunch left. That's what makes them hearty and yummy. Don't let the beans get mushy)

That's it. No joke. Easiest, cheapest soup ever? Probably! AND Hubster and I both loved it (and we aren't even that big of bean people). 

You could add some carrots and celery if you want a little more color. 

Bon Appétit!

Adventure well; Live fully.
HAK