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If you are craving a comforting, hearty bowl of warmth, this Ham and Bean Soup Recipe is exactly the dish to make your day better. Packed with tender Great Northern beans, chunks of savory ham, and an irresistible blend of vegetables and herbs, this soup offers a beautiful balance of flavors and textures that feels like a gentle hug from the inside. Perfect for cooler days or anytime you want a simple, satisfying meal, this recipe turns humble ingredients into a soul-soothing classic that you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Ham and Bean Soup Recipe lies in the lovely simplicity of its ingredients, each playing a crucial role in building depth of flavor and heartiness. These staples come together to create a dish that’s wonderfully rich yet refreshingly wholesome.
- 1 pound dried Great Northern beans: Creamy and mild, these beans soak up the flavors wonderfully while providing a satisfying texture.
- 1 ham bone (leftover from a cooked ham): The star ingredient that infuses the soup with a delicious smoky, savory base.
- 2 cups leftover ham (diced): Adds tender, meaty bites that enhance the protein content and umami taste.
- 1 onion (chopped): Brings sweetness and a subtle pungency that balances the richness.
- 2 carrots (peeled and diced): Offer natural sweetness and vibrant color to brighten the bowl.
- 2 celery stalks (diced): Adds an aromatic crunch that rounds out the vegetable trio perfectly.
- 4 cloves garlic (minced): Infuses a warm, inviting aroma and depth to each spoonful.
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth: Provides a flavorful cooking liquid that ties all ingredients together beautifully.
- 2 bay leaves: Impart a gentle, herbal fragrance that elevates the soup’s complexity.
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme: Sprinkles in subtle earthiness and sharp notes to balance the ham’s sweetness.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Essential seasonings that enhance every flavor in the pot.
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish): Adds a fresh, bright contrast right before serving.
How to Make Ham and Bean Soup Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Beans
Start by rinsing your dried Great Northern beans under cold water, carefully removing any small stones or debris. Then soak them overnight in plenty of water, or if you’re short on time, bring them to a boil, take the pot off heat, and let the beans sit covered for an hour. This softens the beans and ensures they cook evenly without taking forever.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pot over medium heat, and toss in your chopped onion, diced carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Cooking these together gently for about 5 minutes softens them perfectly and releases their natural sweetness, creating a wonderful flavor base for the soup.
Step 3: Combine Soup Ingredients
Add the soaked and drained beans to the pot along with the ham bone, diced leftover ham, your chosen broth, bay leaves, and dried thyme. Give everything a good stir so all the ingredients start mingling and the kitchen begins to fill with that amazing, comforting aroma.
Step 4: Simmer Until Perfect
Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then lower the heat to keep it at a steady simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for around 1.5 to 2 hours. This slow cooking melds the flavors beautifully and softens the beans until they are perfectly tender and luscious.
Step 5: Final Touches with the Ham Bone
Once your soup has simmered to perfection, fish out the ham bone and discard it. Use a fork to pick off any leftover meat from the bone and toss it back into the soup for extra meaty goodness. Don’t waste those bits — they add so much to the final dish!
Step 6: Season to Taste
Give your soup a careful taste test, then add salt and pepper as needed. Because the ham and broth already carry a ton of flavor, seasoning should be done gradually to get the perfect balance without overpowering the other ingredients.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Ladle the steaming hot ham and bean soup into bowls, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley, and dig into a heartwarming feast that never fails to satisfy. This is comfort food at its finest.
How to Serve Ham and Bean Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley is a classic garnish that adds a pop of green and a fresh herbal note, but you can also sprinkle some cracked black pepper or a pinch of smoked paprika for extra depth and color. A drizzle of good olive oil or a few crunchy croutons adds luxurious texture and richness.
Side Dishes
This Ham and Bean Soup Recipe pairs beautifully with crusty bread, whether a warm baguette or dense whole grain loaf, perfect for dipping. A simple green salad with crisp leaves and a tangy vinaigrette can balance the richness, making the meal feel fresh and complete.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your soup in rustic mugs or small bowls for a cozy, casual vibe or go elegant with garnishes like shaved Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh thyme. For a fun twist, offer toppings like crispy bacon bits, grated cheese, or diced avocado on the side so everyone can customize their bowl.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled to room temperature, store any leftover soup in airtight containers and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to develop, so leftovers often taste even better the next day.
Freezing
This Ham and Bean Soup Recipe freezes beautifully. Transfer cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip bags, leaving a little space for expansion, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. If the soup thickened up too much, simply add a splash of water or broth to loosen it back to your desired consistency.
FAQs
Can I use canned beans instead of dried beans?
Yes, you can substitute canned Great Northern beans to speed up the cooking process. Just rinse and drain them well, then add them in the last 20-30 minutes of cooking so they heat through without getting mushy.
Is it necessary to use a ham bone?
The ham bone is essential for that classic smoky, rich flavor that defines this soup. If you don’t have one, you could use diced smoked ham and add a bit of smoked paprika or liquid smoke for some of that depth, but the bone adds something unique.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Sure! Omit the ham and ham bone and use vegetable broth. To add richness, consider adding smoked paprika, liquid smoke, or vegetarian bacon bits to mimic that smoky flavor.
How thick should the soup be?
This soup is traditionally hearty but still broth-based, so it should be thickened by the creamy beans breaking down a bit during cooking, but not pureed or stew-like. If you prefer it thicker, pinch some beans and mash them against the side of the pot.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! This Ham and Bean Soup Recipe scales wonderfully. Just make sure your pot is large enough to hold all ingredients comfortably and adjust cooking time slightly if needed.
Final Thoughts
This Ham and Bean Soup Recipe is one of those timeless dishes that feels like a warm embrace. With its simple ingredients and straightforward steps, it’s perfect for home cooks who want a taste of homemade comfort. I can’t wait for you to try it and discover how easily this soup can become your new favorite go-to meal that satisfies both the soul and the stomach.
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Ham and Bean Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This hearty Ham and Bean Soup is a comforting dish made with tender Great Northern beans, savory ham bone, and diced leftover ham. Loaded with vegetables and slow-simmered to develop rich flavors, it’s perfect for a warming meal that’s easy to prepare and satisfying.
Ingredients
Beans and Meat
- 1 pound dried Great Northern beans
- 1 ham bone (leftover from a cooked ham)
- 2 cups leftover ham, diced
Vegetables
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Broth and Seasonings
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Soak Beans: Rinse the dried Great Northern beans under cold water and remove any debris. Soak the beans overnight submerged in water by about 2 inches or use the quick soak method by boiling them, then letting them sit off heat for 1 hour. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté until tender, about 5 minutes, to develop their flavors.
- Add Main Ingredients: Add the soaked beans, ham bone, diced ham, chicken or vegetable broth, bay leaves, and dried thyme to the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer Soup: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover partially and simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, until beans are tender and the soup flavors have melded thoroughly.
- Remove Ham Bone: Carefully take out the ham bone from the pot. Pick off any remaining meat from the bone with a fork and return it to the soup. Discard the bone itself.
- Season Soup: Taste the soup and add salt and pepper as needed. Adjust seasoning to your preference for a balanced flavor.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately and enjoy the rich, comforting flavors.
Notes
- For faster preparation, use canned beans and reduce simmering time accordingly.
- The ham bone adds great flavor but can be substituted with smoked ham hocks if unavailable.
- Leftover diced ham boosts the meatiness—feel free to adjust the amount based on availability.
- To make this soup vegetarian, omit ham and use vegetable broth with smoked paprika to mimic smoky flavor.
- Leftovers store well refrigerated for up to 4 days and freeze well for longer storage.
