Amish Bean Soup
A hearty Amish Bean Soup featuring tender beans, smoky ham, and flavorful seasonings, perfect for comforting family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Soak the soup beans in water overnight, then drain.
- Add fresh water and cook the beans slowly with the ham bone for 2 hours.
- Add chopped onion, celery seed, seasoning salt, garlic salt, salt, and pepper to the pot.
- Remove the ham bone from the pot, trim off any meat, and return the meat to the soup.
- Add ham bits and simmer the soup for an additional hour.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a bay leaf or a few sprigs of fresh thyme while cooking. If you don't have seasoning salt, a blend of regular salt and garlic powder can work as a substitute. Additionally, using a pressure cooker can significantly reduce cooking time for the beans while still achieving that traditional taste.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Amish Bean Soup with crusty bread or cornbread for a comforting meal. A fresh Spinach Salad With Hot Vinaigrette Dressing makes a wonderful side, adding a light and tangy contrast to the hearty soup. This dish also pairs beautifully with Everyday Potato Casserole for a filling family dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover Amish Bean Soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the soup on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also add a splash of water or broth if the soup thickens too much during storage.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Amish Bean Soup contains roughly 324 calories, with 5g protein, 40g carbohydrates, and 17g fat. It is a good source of dietary fiber (11% of the Daily Value) and protein (10% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1017mg per serving (44% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use dried beans instead of soup beans?
Yes, you can use any variety of dried beans such as navy beans or pinto beans. Just make sure to soak them overnight and adjust the cooking time as needed, since different beans may require slightly different cooking times.
What can I use if I don't have a ham bone?
If you don't have a ham bone, you can substitute with diced ham or even smoked sausage for that rich flavor. You could also add a bit of liquid smoke to mimic the depth that a bone would provide.
Is this soup suitable for freezing?
Absolutely! Amish Bean Soup freezes well. Just make sure to cool it completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. It can be stored for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).