Description
Rustic Hearty Ham and Bean Soup beckons comfort seekers with its rich, savory profile from traditional American kitchens. Simmering ham bones, white beans, and aromatic vegetables create a soul-warming meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb dried navy or Great Northern beans (or 4 cans, drained and rinsed)
- 2 cups diced ham (or 1 ham bone or hock for more flavor)
- 8 cups (1.9 l) water or low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 large carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 0.5 tsp dried thyme
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce or diced tomatoes (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Rinse beans thoroughly, draining excess liquid. If using dried beans, soak overnight to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility.
- Aromatic Base: In a large pot, sauté onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil over medium heat until vegetables soften and release their natural sweetness, creating a flavor-packed foundation for the soup.
- Flavor Layering: Introduce minced garlic and cubed ham, stirring to distribute evenly and allow the ingredients to develop a rich, complex taste profile. Pour in chicken broth to cover the mixture completely.
- Seasoning and Simmering: Add bay leaves and dried thyme, then incorporate beans. Bring the soup to a vigorous boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Allow the ingredients to meld and develop deep, comforting flavors.
- Cooking Process: For dried beans, maintain a low simmer for 1-1.5 hours until beans reach a creamy consistency. With canned beans, reduce cooking time to 25-35 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Finishing Touches: Remove bay leaves and season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. The soup should have a harmonious balance of flavors, with each ingredient contributing to the overall depth.
- Serving: Ladle the soup into warm bowls, garnishing with fresh parsley to add a bright, herbaceous note and visual appeal to the hearty dish.
Notes
Choose Quality Beans: Select fresh, intact dried beans or low-sodium canned varieties to control salt content and ensure optimal texture and flavor.
Prevent Bean Burning: Stir vegetables and beans frequently during cooking to avoid scorching and maintain even heat distribution for consistent taste.
Control Liquid Levels: Monitor broth quantity throughout simmering, adding more if soup becomes too thick, ensuring creamy consistency without drying out.
Enhance Dietary Flexibility: Substitute ham with smoked turkey, chicken, or plant-based protein for low-fat, vegetarian, or allergen-friendly adaptations while preserving rich soup profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg