Easy Ham and Bean Soup
A hearty, comforting soup with tender beans and flavorful ham, perfect for chilly days or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1 lb dry Great Northern beans rinsed and picked over
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 large yellow onion chopped
- 3 medium carrots chopped
- 3 stalks celery chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 meaty ham bone or diced ham 2 cups diced ham if using
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- salt
- fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Soak the beans overnight in water covering by 2 inches. Drain and rinse before cooking.
- Step 2: Heat olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery; cook 8-10 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook 1 more minute.
- Step 3: Add drained beans, ham bone or diced ham, chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme, and black pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 1.5–2 hours until beans are tender.
- Step 5: Remove ham bone, shred any meat, and return to soup. Discard bone and bay leaves. Season with salt to taste.
- Step 6: Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
Notes
Quick soak method: Boil beans 2 minutes, cover, let stand 1 hour, drain, then proceed. Mash 1 cup of beans into the soup for a thicker consistency. Smoked ham hock can substitute the ham bone for extra flavor.
