Slow Cooker Three Sisters Soup

Three sisters soup in the crockpot

This Slow Cooker Three Sisters Soup recipe is warm, cozy, and comforting. It’s an authentic Indigenous recipe that’s based on the three sisters planting method and features 3 key ingredients: Because these crops flourish during the end of summer and fall, this recipe is the perfect comfort food to enjoy once the cold weather arrives. All 3 are delicious and nourishing too! These 3 crops are grown together in many North American Indigenous tribes to benefit the soil, as well as promote productivity and sustainable land use. Not only does this recipe provide a learning opportunity, but it makes for a delicious family meal that can be prepared ahead of time or stored for later.

Who are the Three Sisters?

The Three Sisters refers to the 3 crops used in authentic North American Indigenous agriculture: winter squash, maize (corn), and beans. These crops are traditionally grown together in the garden (also referred to as companion planting) because they complement each other so well. According to Yes Magazine, the beans provide nitrogen to help fertilize the soil while the cornstalks act as trellises for the growing beans. The large, flat squash leaves maintain moisture in the soil and prevent weeds from growing.

Ingredients in three sisters soup

The Three Sisters are all nutritionally dense, containing essential amino acids, fiber, complex carbohydrates, protein, and a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. To round out the flavors in this vegetable soup, you’ll need a handful of simple ingredients:

Butternut squash White hominy Green beans Potatoes Chicken broth Garlic Salt & Pepper Cinnamon Butter All purpose flour

How to make three sisters soup in the slow cooker

This is an easy slow cooker soup recipe that, when done, is healthy, comforting, and full of tender veggies. Here’s how it’s done: Add the butternut squash, hominy, green beans, broth, garlic, pepper, and cinnamon to the bowl of a slow cooker. Place the lid on top and cook on LOW. When the soup is just about ready, stir the melted butter and flour together in a small bowl. Pour it into the soup, stir, and cook for 5 more minutes. When the vegetable soup has thickened up, serve in bowls and enjoy!

Stovetop instructions

Tips and variations

If you can’t find hominy – Hominy is commonly found in the beans section with Goya products. If you can’t find hominy, use fresh or frozen corn instead. Green beans – This recipe will work with any type of cooked bean you like. Feel free to replace the green beans with kidney beans, black beans, black-eyed peas, Great Northern beans, etc. Use canned beans – Dry beans won’t cook fully in the slow cooker. Pre-cooked or canned beans are best. Winter squash – You can make this three sisters soup recipe with any winter squash you love, such as pumpkin, acorn squash, or delicata squash. Add more vegetables – Like carrots, peas, zucchini, celery, leafy greens, or anything else you like. Don’t want to use chicken broth? Use vegetable broth to turn this into a vegetarian soup.

Making ahead and storing

To make ahead: Make the soup as normal and let it cool. Transfer it into airtight containers and store in the fridge. When it’s time to eat, let the batch warm up in the slow cooker, in a pot on the stove, or in the microwave. To store: Keep any leftover soup in an airtight container. Store them in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. To freeze: The soup freezes well for about 3 months. Keep the cooked and cooled leftovers in airtight containers or freezer-safe bags to keep everything tasting fresh. Let them thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating on the stove or microwave.