U. S. Senate Bean Soup
U.S. Senate Bean Soup is a hearty, flavorful dish featuring tender beans, smoky ham, and fresh herbs, perfect for comforting family meals or gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Soak the white beans overnight in cold water and cover.
- Drain the beans and put them in a soup kettle with the hambone and water.
- Bring the water to a boil and simmer the mixture for about 2 hours.
- Stir in the mashed potatoes, chopped onions, chopped celery, chopped garlic, and chopped parsley.
- Simmer the soup for 1 hour longer or until the beans are thoroughly cooked.
- Remove the hambone from the kettle.
- Dice the meat on the hambone and return it to the soup.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your U.S. Senate Bean Soup, consider adding a bay leaf during the simmering process. If you don't have a hambone, smoked sausage can be a great substitute. For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and skip the meat entirely. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste as beans can absorb flavors differently.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the soup hot, garnished with additional chopped parsley for a fresh touch. It pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a side salad, such as Cheese, Macaroni And Broccoli Salad, for a complete meal. For a hearty twist, consider serving it alongside Larry'S Beans for some extra protein.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it in a pot over low heat, adding a splash of water if it's too thick. You can also microwave it in a covered bowl, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of U. S. Senate Bean Soup contains roughly 1634 calories, with 89g protein, 280g carbohydrates, and 24g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (361% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and protein (178% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 101g 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 dried beans for this recipe?
Yes, you can use canned white beans for a quicker preparation. If you do, simply rinse and drain them, then add them to the soup along with the other ingredients after simmering the broth for about an hour.
How can I make this soup spicier?
To add some heat to your U.S. Senate Bean Soup, consider incorporating diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper while cooking. You can also serve it with hot sauce on the side for guests to customize their bowls.
What can I serve with this soup?
This hearty soup is delicious on its own, but it's great with a side of cornbread or a simple green salad. It also pairs beautifully with other American recipes, making it a versatile dish for any meal.
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).