Hearty Pork Bean Soup

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 Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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, onions, 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.