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Classic Ham and White Bean Soup

Close-up of a creamy white bean soup with chunks of ham and carrots, seasoned with herbs.
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Make this hearty, classic ham and bean soup using a leftover ham bone or smoked ham hocks for deep, savory flavor. This recipe uses Great Northern beans for a comforting, easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 smoked ham hock or leftover ham bone
  • 1 pound dried Great Northern beans, rinsed and picked over
  • 8 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 cup chopped cooked ham (optional, for extra meatiness)
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Place the ham hock or bone in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the rinsed beans and water or broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
  2. While the beans simmer, prepare the vegetables. Heat the olive oil in a separate skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  3. Add the minced garlic, thyme, and rosemary to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Add the cooked vegetables and garlic mixture to the bean pot. Add the bay leaf. Continue to simmer, covered, for another 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. Remove the ham hock or bone. Discard the bone and shred any usable meat from the hock. Return the shredded ham meat to the soup, along with any optional chopped cooked ham.
  6. Stir in the salt, pepper, and apple cider vinegar. Taste the soup and adjust seasonings as needed. The vinegar brightens the flavor.
  7. Simmer for 5 more minutes before serving hot. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Notes

  • For a thicker soup, remove about 1 cup of beans and mash them, then stir the mash back into the pot.
  • If you do not have a ham bone, substitute with 1 cup of diced smoked ham and 6 cups of chicken broth.
  • This soup freezes well for future comforting winter dinners.

Nutrition

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