John'S Portuguese Bean Soup
A hearty Portuguese bean soup rich with ham, sausage, and vegetables, offering savory flavors and comforting warmth perfect for family meals or gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a 5-quart pan, put ham hocks or ham bones and cover with water.
- Bring to a boil with garlic, onion, cilantro, and tomatoes.
- Simmer until the meat comes off the bones.
- Remove the bones from the pan.
- Cut up the meat and return it to the pan.
- Add sliced Portuguese sausage, cubed potatoes, and sliced carrots.
- Simmer until the potatoes and carrots are starting to soften.
- Add uncooked macaroni and shredded cabbage, then cook until tender.
- Add salt to taste and serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For a heartier soup, consider adding diced bell peppers or zucchini. If you can't find Portuguese sausage, chorizo or any smoked sausage can work as a substitute. To enhance flavors, add a bay leaf during the simmering stage. For a vegetarian option, use vegetable broth and skip the meat, adding more beans or lentils instead.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this soup hot, garnished with fresh cilantro. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. For extra flavor, consider offering a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a squeeze of lime. This soup also complements well with sides like Bacon-Cheese Potato Slices.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze the soup in portions for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm in a pot over low heat, adding a splash of water if necessary to loosen the consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of John'S Portuguese Bean Soup contains roughly 568 calories, with 16g protein, 78g carbohydrates, and 23g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (156% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (145% of the Daily Value), and iron (60% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1166mg per serving (51% 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 canned beans instead of dried beans?
Yes, using canned beans is a great time-saver. Just rinse and drain them before adding to the soup. If using canned beans, add them towards the end of cooking to avoid them becoming too soft.
How can I make this soup spicier?
To add some heat, include diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce while cooking. You can also incorporate a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes for extra spice.
Is there a way to make this soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! Replace the ham hocks and sausage with smoked paprika for flavor, and use vegetable broth as the base. You can increase the amount of beans and add more vegetables to keep it hearty.
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).