Mom'S Ham-Bean Chowder
A hearty, comforting ham and bean chowder packed with savory flavors, tender beans, and melted cheese, perfect for family dinners and chilly days.
Ingredients
- 1 lb dried Great Northern beans ⓘ
- 2 qt water ⓘ
- 1 ham shank (4 lb) ⓘ
- 16 oz can chopped tomatoes ⓘ
- 2 cups chopped onions ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped celery ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic ⓘ
- 2 whole cloves ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 3 cans condensed chicken broth (10¾ oz each) ⓘ
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Wash the dried Great Northern beans.
- Cover the beans with water in a 6-quart saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Cover and boil for 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let the beans soak for 1 hour.
- Drain the beans, reserving the liquid.
- Return the beans to the saucepan; add 4 cups of the reserved liquid, the ham shank, chopped onions, chopped celery, minced garlic, cloves, bay leaf, pepper, and the condensed chicken broth combined with enough water to measure 6 cups.
- Bring to a boil and then simmer for 2 to 2½ hours or until the meat is tender.
- Remove the meat, bay leaf, and cloves from the soup.
- Cut the meat off the bone and return it to the soup.
- Skim off any fat from the surface.
- Add shredded Cheddar cheese and stir until melted.
- Garnish with parsley if desired and serve.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
504
kcal
25% DV
Protein
Fat
Carbs
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).