Country Market Bean Soup
A hearty bean soup with tender beans, smoky ham, and tomatoes, perfect for comforting family meals and suitable for chilly days or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place beans in a Dutch oven.
- Cover with water 2 inches above beans and soak overnight.
- Drain off water, leaving beans in Dutch oven; add water, chicken broth and pepper.
- Cover and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 1 1/2 hours or until beans are tender.
- Add remaining ingredients and simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a bay leaf or a sprig of thyme while the soup simmers. If you don't have a bean soup mix, you can substitute with a combination of your favorite dried beans, such as black beans and kidney beans. For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Country Market Bean Soup with crusty bread or cornbread for a hearty meal. A side salad or some sautéed greens would complement the flavors nicely. This soup also pairs beautifully with Favorite Chicken Pie for a comforting dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply warm on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a little water or broth if it thickens too much.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Country Market Bean Soup contains roughly 226 calories, with 7g protein, 34g carbohydrates, and 8g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (249% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (36% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and protein. It also contributes 10g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
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 canned beans instead of dry beans?
Yes, you can use canned beans to save time. If you do, skip the soaking step and adjust the cooking time to simmer the soup for about 20-30 minutes, just to heat everything through.
What can I add for extra flavor?
You can enhance the flavor by adding minced garlic, diced carrots, or celery at the beginning of the cooking process. A splash of vinegar or lemon juice at the end can also brighten the flavors.
Is this soup suitable for freezing?
Absolutely! This bean soup freezes well. Just make sure to cool it completely before freezing, and use freezer-safe containers. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove.
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).