Hearty Ham and White Bean Soup

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Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 2 cups dried white beans (navy beans or cannellini beans)
  • 2 cups cooked ham, diced (or leftover ham)
  • 1 ham bone (optional but highly recommended for flavor)
  • 6 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • 2 cups water (adjust as needed)

Vegetables

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt to taste (be careful—ham is salty)
  • 1 bay leaf

Optional Additions

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
  • Fresh parsley for garnish
  • A squeeze of lemon juice (for brightness)
  • Red pepper flakes (for a little heat)

Step 1: Prepare the Beans

Option 1: Overnight Soak (Recommended)

  1. Rinse the beans thoroughly under cold water.
  2. Place them in a large bowl and cover with plenty of water.
  3. Let soak overnight (8–12 hours).
  4. Drain and rinse before cooking.

Option 2: Quick Soak Method

  1. Add beans to a pot and cover with water.
  2. Bring to a boil for 2–3 minutes.
  3. Turn off heat and let sit for 1 hour.
  4. Drain and rinse.

Soaking helps reduce cooking time and makes beans easier to digest.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat.
  2. Add chopped onions and sauté for 3–4 minutes until soft.
  3. Add carrots and celery; cook another 5 minutes.
  4. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

This step builds the base flavor of your soup.

Step 3: Add Ham and Beans

  1. Add diced ham to the pot.
  2. Stir for 2–3 minutes to release its smoky flavor.
  3. Add the soaked beans.
  4. Pour in the broth and water.

If using a ham bone, add it now—it will enrich the broth deeply.

Step 4: Season and Simmer

  1. Add thyme, parsley, paprika, black pepper, and bay leaf.
  2. Bring everything to a boil.
  3. Reduce heat to low and let simmer uncovered or partially covered.

Cooking Time:

  • 1.5 to 2 hours until beans are tender.

Stir occasionally and check liquid levels—add more broth or water if needed.

Step 5: Final Adjustments

  1. Remove the ham bone (if used).
  2. Shred any meat from the bone and return it to the pot.
  3. Taste and adjust seasoning (salt, pepper, herbs).

Optional:

  • Add fresh parsley for color and freshness.
  • Add a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavors.

Step 6: Texture Control (Optional)

If you want a thicker soup:

  • Use a spoon to mash some beans against the side of the pot
  • Or blend 1 cup of soup and return it

This creates a creamy texture without adding cream.

Serving Suggestions

Serve hot with:

  • Crusty bread
  • Toasted baguette
  • Cornbread
  • Rice (optional for extra heartiness)

You can also drizzle a little olive oil on top for extra richness.

Storage and Reheating

Refrigeration

  • Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days

Freezing

  • Freeze for up to 3 months
  • Let cool completely before freezing

Reheating

  • Heat on stove over medium heat
  • Add a splash of water or broth if it thickens

Tips for Best Flavor

1. Use a Ham Bone

This is the secret to deep, rich flavor. It adds natural smokiness and gelatin for a silky broth.

2. Don’t Rush the Simmer

Slow cooking allows beans to absorb flavor and become tender.

3. Control Salt Carefully

Ham is naturally salty—taste before adding extra salt.

4. Choose the Right Beans

  • Navy beans → creamy and soft
  • Cannellini beans → larger and slightly firmer

Both work perfectly.

Variations

1. Smoky Version

Add:

  • Smoked paprika
  • A bit of bacon

2. Spicy Version

Add:

  • Chili flakes
  • Jalapeños

3. Creamy Version

Add:

  • A splash of cream or coconut milk

4. Vegetable-Loaded Version

Add:

  • Spinach
  • Kale
  • Potatoes

Nutritional Benefits

This soup is:

  • High in protein (from beans and ham)
  • Rich in fiber
  • Filling and satisfying
  • Budget-friendly

It’s a complete meal in one bowl.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Not soaking beans → longer cooking time

❌ Over-salting early → too salty soup

❌ Cooking on high heat → tough beans

❌ Skipping aromatics → less flavor

Final Thoughts

This ham and white bean soup is the definition of comfort food—simple ingredients transformed into something deeply satisfying. It’s perfect for using leftover ham and creates a rich, hearty meal that tastes even better the next day.

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