
I first started making my own broth and stock in my slow cooker in 2008 . I am not sure why I remember the year exactly but I do. Veggie, chicken and beef stock have all come from my kitchen and saved a lot of money from leaving my wallet. Last week I made ham bone broth for the first time and it was amazing. Here is my recipe : ( and a YouTube video )
- ham bone from cooking a ham
- water 8-12 cups depending on the size of your cooker
- veggie scraps ( I keep veggie scraps as I cut veggies and put them in a freezer bag to use for stock and broth later)
Take those ingredients and add to slow cooker. Cook on low for 24 hours. Strain and allow to cool. I like to then put in a container in the fridge and remove the fat that comes to the top – I was very surprised that with the ham broth there was very little fat. Then store as you would like. I left some in the fridge to make THE best bean soup ever and I put the rest in the freezer.
We love bean soup and find it so filling and not to mention economical! Last week I even had a coupon for a 4 lb bag of beans so I estimated that each serving of this great soup cost about 40-50 cents per 1 cup serving. Here is the recipe – it is so absolutely delicious so that I why I am calling it THE best bean soup!

THE best bean soup!
- 7 cup ham bone broth
- 2 cups cut up ham
- 4 large carrots, scrubbed and cut up
- 1 onion
- 2 potatoes chopped with skin on
- 2 T minced garlic
- 3 cups of water
- 1 1/2 T italian seasoning
- 1/2 t pepper
- 4 cup of dry northern beans
Pre soak or quick cook the beans and add to the slow cooker. Add all other ingredients and cook on high for 7-8 hours. (do you notice what is NOT in the bone broth or soup? SALT!!! There is no salt but the flavor is amazing!) This recipe makes enough to eat, freeze and give some away.

Happy New Year!