Hearty Farm Soup
Hearty farm soup combines tender beans, savory ham hock, sausage, and fresh vegetables, resulting in a comforting, flavorful dish perfect for family gatherings and cold days.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. dry navy beans ⓘ
- 1/2 lb. dry pinto beans ⓘ
- 1/2 lb. dry butter beans ⓘ
- 1 large ham hock
- 1 lb. ground sausage
- 1 large apple, cubed ⓘ
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 Tbsp. brown sugar ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. mustard ⓘ
- 2 cans tomatoes, cut (undrained) ⓘ
- garlic powder to taste ⓘ
- salt to taste ⓘ
Instructions
- Wash, sort, and mix all three beans together.
- Cover the beans with water and soak for 1 hour.
- Drain the beans and cover with water again.
- Add the ham hock and bring to a boil.
- Simmer for 1 1/2 hours or until beans are tender.
- In a skillet, brown the sausage with the cubed apple, chopped onion, and chopped celery.
- Drain off the fat from the sausage mixture.
- Stir the sausage mixture into the beans.
- Add brown sugar, mustard, and canned tomatoes; season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Cover and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your Hearty Farm Soup, consider adding a bay leaf during the simmering process. If you're short on time, canned beans can be used—just skip the soaking step. For a vegetarian option, replace the ham hock with smoked paprika and omit the sausage. This soup can also be thickened with a blend of pureed beans.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Hearty Farm Soup with crusty bread or a simple salad like Layer Salad(Use 9 X 12-Inch Pan) for a complete meal. A sprinkle of fresh herbs, such as parsley or thyme, can elevate the dish further. For a heartier option, pair it with Bacon Cheesy Potatoes for a comforting meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm the soup on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it has thickened too much. For longer storage, freeze in portions for up to 3 months.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Hearty Farm Soup contains roughly 162 calories, with 3g protein, 34g carbohydrates, and 2g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (52% of the Daily Value) and vitamin C (40% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 478mg per serving (21% 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 different types of beans in this soup?
Absolutely! While navy, pinto, and butter beans provide a great flavor, feel free to substitute with your favorite beans like black beans or kidney beans. Just adjust the soaking and cooking times as needed, ensuring all beans become tender.
How can I make this soup spicier?
To add some heat, consider incorporating diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the soup. You can also use spicy sausage instead of the regular ground sausage to give it an extra kick. Adjust the spices gradually to suit your taste preferences.
Is there a way to make this soup vegetarian?
Yes! You can easily make this soup vegetarian by omitting the ham hock and sausage. Instead, add smoked paprika for depth of flavor and increase the amount of vegetables. You might also include vegetable broth for a rich base that complements the beans.
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).