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Hearty Ham and White Bean Soup

Close-up of a creamy white bean soup with chunks of ham and carrots, seasoned with pepper.
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Make this classic, comforting ham and bean soup using Great Northern or navy beans. It is a budget-friendly, hearty soup perfect for a cold evening dinner.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound smoked ham hock or leftover ham bone
  • 1 pound dried navy beans (or Great Northern beans), rinsed and picked over
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (adjust after removing ham hock)
  • 1 cup chopped cooked ham (optional, for extra meatiness)

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  2. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  3. Add the rinsed beans, ham hock (or bone), chicken broth, bay leaf, and thyme to the pot.
  4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. Remove the ham hock or bone. Discard the bone and bay leaf. Shred any usable meat from the hock and return the shredded meat to the soup, along with any optional chopped cooked ham.
  6. Season the soup with pepper and salt, tasting first since the ham adds saltiness.
  7. Simmer uncovered for another 15 minutes to allow flavors to blend and the soup to thicken slightly.
  8. Serve this easy bean soup hot with cornbread.

Notes

  • For a slow cooker bean soup variation, combine all ingredients except the optional chopped ham in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours until beans are tender. Remove bone, shred meat, and return to the cooker before serving.
  • If you use canned beans instead of dried, add them during the last 30 minutes of cooking time.
  • This recipe is budget friendly and makes a great winter soup idea.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://hearthbite.com/ham-and-white-bean-soup-bean-soup/