Basic Ham And Bean Soup
A hearty ham and bean soup packed with smoky flavors, tender beans, and vegetables, perfect for comforting meals and suitable for family gatherings or cozy nights.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Bring hot water or chicken broth to a boil in a large pot.
- Add drained Great Northern beans, ham hock, chopped carrots, chopped celery, chopped onion, minced garlic, dry mustard, and bay leaves to the boiling liquid.
- Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 60 minutes.
- Remove the ham hock from the soup and discard.
- Stir in chopped ham.
- Simmer for an additional 30 minutes.
- Season with ground white pepper to taste before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, consider adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes. If you don’t have Great Northern beans, navy beans or cannellini beans can work as substitutes. For a vegetarian option, replace the ham hock with smoked paprika and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty soup with crusty bread or cornbread for a filling meal. A simple green salad or steamed vegetables can complement it nicely. It also pairs beautifully with Spaghetti Primavera Salad With Ham for a complete dinner experience.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if necessary to loosen the soup. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Basic Ham And Bean Soup contains roughly 1792 calories, with 41g protein, 253g carbohydrates, and 73g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (196% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (140% of the Daily Value), and iron (118% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2537mg per serving (110% 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 leftover ham for this soup?
Absolutely! Using leftover ham is a great way to enhance flavor and reduce waste. Just ensure it's chopped into bite-sized pieces and added after simmering the other ingredients to warm through.
How can I make this soup vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, omit the ham hock and ham. Use vegetable broth and add smoked paprika for a similar depth of flavor. You can also include additional vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms.
What can I do with the leftover ham hock?
After simmering, the ham hock can be stripped of any remaining meat and added back to the soup for extra flavor. Alternatively, you can use it to flavor stocks or other soups.
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).