Published on December 27, 2024 · Updated on October 24, 2026 by Sarah Troester
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This Pennsylvania Dutch ham and string bean soup is a simple crockpot soup of diced ham, fresh green beans, potatoes, onion, garlic and broth, with optional apple cider vinegar for a tangy finish. Cook it on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours, until the potatoes are tender. It serves 6 and freezes well.

This is my PA Dutch grandmother’s recipe for ham and string “green” bean soup that brings back fond memories of Sunday family gatherings. It is a childhood favorite recipe and passed down tried and true staple of the Pennsylvania Dutch. After all these years, I think I have perfected this wonderful recipe to share, from my family to yours! It’s also a great recipe to make use of the leftover ham from the holidays!

Bowl of Pennsylvania Dutch ham and string bean soup with diced ham, green beans and potatoes

As a busy mom and teacher, finding time to cook can be a challenge, but there are certain recipes that make it all worthwhile. One such recipe is the Pennsylvania Dutch Green/String Bean Soup, a comforting staple from my childhood. Growing up in a Pennsylvania Dutch household, this soup was a regular feature at our Sunday family dinners.

Its warm, comforting flavors bring back fond memories of laughter and love shared around the dinner table.

Spoon resting in a bowl of ham and green bean soup with potatoes

A timeless family tradition

When I first introduced this soup to my husband, he was intrigued. Knowing his love for vinegar-based foods and classic flavors, I was eager to see his reaction. As the aroma of the simmering soup filled our kitchen, I watched him take his first spoonful. His eyes lit up, and he immediately requested it become a regular part of our meal rotation.

Little did I know, this humble soup would become one of his most requested dishes. It’s heartwarming to see a piece of my heritage become a beloved tradition in our own family.

Close-up of ham and string bean soup showing tender green beans, potatoes and diced ham in broth

Have leftover holiday ham? This soup is the perfect way to use it up, and our list of easy Thanksgiving recipes has everything else you need for the big meal.

customizing with apple cider vinegar

One of the unique aspects of this soup is the addition of apple cider vinegar, which adds a delightful tanginess. It’s also what makes it a classic Pennsylvania Dutch recipe. To cater to individual tastes, I like to serve the soup with the vinegar bottle on the table. This way, everyone can adjust the acidity to their liking. It’s a simple touch that makes the meal interactive and enjoyable for everyone.

Bowl of ham and string bean soup with a small glass dish of apple cider vinegar behind it

ham and string bean soup in the crockpot

What I love most about this soup is how easy it is to prepare, especially in a crockpot. With just a few simple ingredients—ham, green beans, potatoes, onion, and broth—you can create a dish that’s both nourishing and satisfying. It’s perfect for using up leftover ham after the holidays, making it a practical choice for busy weeks. Simply toss everything into the crockpot, set it, and let it work its magic while you go about your day.

Ladle stirring cooked ham and string bean soup in the crockpot

why your whole family will love this ham and green bean soup recipe

  • Simple Ingredients
  • Crowd-Pleasing Soup
  • Kid Friendly
  • Old-Fashioned Staple
  • Irresistible Flavor

This soup has become a cherished recipe in our household, not only for its simplicity but also for the warmth it brings. It’s a wonderful way to connect with my roots and share a piece of my childhood with my own family. As we gather around the table, I’m reminded of those Sunday dinners from years past, filled with family, love, and delicious food.

Bowl of homemade PA Dutch green bean soup with ham and potatoes

Get ready for this simple soup recipe to be a familiar one at your table, too! I sure hope it brings the same warmth and happiness to your home as it does to ours. Shall we get started?

ingredients

To make family-loved ham and string bean soup recipe, you’ll need a few ingredients that you can get at almost any grocery store or even online!

Here’s what we are working with:

  • 1 pound of ham, diced (you can use a ham hock or leftover ham)
  • 1 pound of fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 4 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (optional), plus extra for serving depending on taste preference
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 1 teaspoon of thyme
  • salt and pepper to taste
Ham and string bean soup ingredients: diced potatoes, an onion, dried herbs and seasonings, apple cider vinegar, diced ham, fresh green beans and broth

how to make ham and string bean soup in the crockpot

You’ll find the exact amounts and printable steps in the recipe card below. Here’s what each step looks like, plus the little things that make it work.

1. Prep the ingredients. Dice the ham, trim the green beans and cut them into 1-inch pieces, peel and dice the potatoes, and chop the onion and garlic. Cutting the potatoes and beans to a similar size helps them get tender at the same time.

2. Layer it in the crockpot. Put the ham on the bottom, then add the green beans, potatoes, onion and garlic on top.

Green beans, diced potatoes and ham layered in the crockpot before adding the broth

3. Add the broth and seasonings. Pour the broth over everything, then add the parsley, thyme, salt and pepper. Go easy on the salt to start, because the ham adds plenty.

4. Cook low and slow. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. It’s ready when a fork slides easily into the potatoes.

Close-up of seasoned green beans, potatoes and ham in the crockpot before cooking

5. Taste and adjust. Before serving, taste the broth and add more salt and pepper if it needs it.

6. Serve it with the vinegar on the table. Ladle the soup into bowls with crusty bread or rolls, and set out the apple cider vinegar so everyone can make it as tangy as they like.

Cooked ham and string bean soup in the crockpot with tender potatoes and green beans

how long do you cook ham and string bean soup?

In the crockpot, cook it on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours, until the potatoes are tender. On the stovetop, it takes about 30–40 minutes of simmering once it comes to a boil.

how to make ham and string bean soup on the stovetop

Sauté the onion and garlic in a large pot, then add the rest of the ingredients and pour the broth over. Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook for about 30–40 minutes, until the potatoes and green beans are tender. It’s a great option for a hearty weeknight meal in under an hour.

old-fashioned ham and string bean soup (and the Mennonite version)

This crockpot version is how I make it on busy days, but string bean soup has been around a lot longer than slow cookers. Old-fashioned ham and string bean soup is a simple pot of ham broth, string beans and potatoes simmered low and slow on the stove. Every family seems to make it a little differently, but most of the traditional versions share a few things:

  • Ham bone or ham hock broth. Many old recipes start by simmering a meaty ham bone or smoked ham hock to make the broth, then pick the meat off the bone and stir it back into the soup.
  • Potatoes. Diced potatoes are almost always in the pot. They make it hearty enough to be the whole meal.
  • Summer savory. Many Mennonite recipes season the soup with summer savory, often tied in a little bundle with parsley so it’s easy to pull out before serving. If you can’t find it, a pinch of thyme (which this recipe already uses) is a common stand-in.
  • A splash of vinegar. In a lot of Pennsylvania Dutch homes, including ours, the vinegar bottle goes right on the table.
  • Cream. Some families stir in a little sweet cream, milk or a spoonful of sour cream right before serving for a richer, creamier broth.

what is Mennonite green bean soup?

Mennonite green bean soup is especially loved by Mennonite families with Low German roots, many of them in Canada, where it’s sometimes called schaubel zup. It’s usually made with a smoky ham broth or farmer sausage, green beans, potatoes, onion and plenty of summer savory, and it’s often finished with cream. Recipes vary from family to family and region to region, so think of these as ideas rather than one “right” way.

how to make this recipe more old-fashioned

  • Use a ham hock or meaty ham bone in place of some of the diced ham, and pull the meat off the bone before serving.
  • Add a small bundle of summer savory and parsley for the last 30 minutes of cooking, then remove it.
  • Stir in about ½ cup of cream or milk right before serving, or pass it at the table.
  • If you’re adding cream, add the vinegar to individual bowls instead of the whole pot, since vinegar can make hot cream curdle.

cooking and freezing tips

The whole recipe comes together seamlessly in the crockpot, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the day with family. Plus, this soup recipe freezes beautifully! I often make a big batch, freeze half in individual portions, and reheat as needed.

This recipe is just what you need during hectic weekday evenings when the last thing I want to do is cook from scratch. I fondly remember my grandmother making portions of this soup recipe to have on hand after having my babies. It was a lifesaver!

Ladle of cooked ham and green bean soup over the crockpot

how long does ham and string bean soup last?

  • Refrigerator: Cool the soup and refrigerate it within 2 hours. Store it in airtight containers for 3–4 days.
  • Freezer: Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for 2–3 months for the best quality, and thaw them overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop and bring the soup to a boil (or heat it to 165°F) before serving. Don’t reheat leftovers in the crockpot, because it heats too slowly.

We hope you enjoy this simple slow cooker recipe as much as we do. It’s definitely one of those recipes worth saving. There’s nothing better than having what looks and tastes like a gourmet meal on the table, but one that saves you time behind the scenes. 

ham and string bean soup FAQs

Can I use leftover holiday ham or a ham hock?

Yes. This soup is a great way to use up leftover ham from the holidays. Use about 1 pound of diced ham, or use a ham hock instead.

Why is there vinegar in ham and string bean soup?

Apple cider vinegar gives the soup its tangy flavor and is what makes it a classic Pennsylvania Dutch recipe. We set the vinegar bottle on the table so everyone can add as much as they like.

What do you serve with ham and string bean soup?

It pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or rolls, plus apple cider vinegar on the table for adding to taste.

Can I make ham and string bean soup on the stove?

Yes. Sauté the onion and garlic in a large pot, add the rest of the ingredients and the broth, and bring it to a boil. Then cover and simmer for about 30–40 minutes, until the potatoes and green beans are tender.

Is ham and string bean soup gluten-free?

The ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but some broths and processed hams contain gluten. If you’re cooking for someone who needs to avoid gluten, check the labels on your ham and broth.

Are string beans and green beans the same thing?

Yes. “String bean” is the older name for green beans, from the tough string that used to run along the pod. Most green beans sold today don’t have that string, but plenty of us still call this string bean soup.

What is old-fashioned ham and string bean soup?

It’s a simple soup of ham broth (often from a ham bone or ham hock), string beans, potatoes and onion. Depending on the family, it may be seasoned with summer savory or parsley, finished with a little cream, or served with vinegar on the table.

Please leave us a star review and comment if you make this family loved recipe. 

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. I answer every single question as quickly as I can.

Happy cooking! And thanks for being part of our tribe, The Tasteful Tribe!

Enjoy!

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Bowl of Pennsylvania Dutch ham and string bean soup with diced ham, green beans and potatoes

Better Than Grandma’s PA Dutch Ham and String Bean Soup

  • DFDairy-Free
  • GFGluten-Free
  • SFSugar Free
5 from 5 votes
This is my PA Dutch grandmother’s recipe for ham and string "green" bean soup that brings back fond memories of Sunday family gatherings. It is a childhood favorite recipe and passed down tried and true staple of the Pennsylvania Dutch. After all these years, I think I have perfected this wonderful recipe to share, from my family to yours!
Servings: 6 people
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound of ham, diced (you can use a ham hock or leftover ham)
  • 1 pound of fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 4 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, optional, plus extra for serving depending on taste preference
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 1 teaspoon of thyme
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Prepare Ingredients: Start by preparing all your ingredients. Dice the ham, trim and cut the green beans, peel and dice the potatoes, and chop the onion and garlic.
    Ham and string bean soup ingredients: diced potatoes, an onion, dried herbs and seasonings, apple cider vinegar, diced ham, fresh green beans and broth
  • Layer in Crockpot: Place the ham at the bottom of the crockpot. Place the green beans, potatoes, onion, and garlic on top.
    Green beans, diced potatoes and ham layered in the crockpot before adding the broth
  • Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour the chicken or vegetable broth over the ingredients in the crockpot. Add the parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper. 
  • Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours. The soup is ready when the potatoes are tender and the flavors have melded together.
    Cooked ham and string bean soup in the crockpot with tender potatoes and green beans
  • Adjust Seasoning: Before serving, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Add more salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy it warm. It pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or rolls. **Serve with apple cider vinegar on the table so everyone can adjust to their own individual tastes.
    Bowl of ham and string bean soup with a small glass dish of apple cider vinegar behind it

Equipment

Notes

**To cook Ham and String Bean Soup on the stovetop, follow these general guidelines for cooking time: Place all ingredients into a large pot. Begin by sautéing onion and garlic, last pour over broth and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and let the soup cook for about 30-40 minutes, or until the potatoes and green beans are tender. **This method allows you to enjoy a delicious pot of Ham and String Bean Soup in under an hour, making it a great option for a hearty weeknight meal. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcal

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