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Ham & Bean Soup

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A heart-warming ham and bean soup that brings comfort and joy to your table, perfect for chilly days and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups diced ham (or smoked ham hock)
  • 1 cup dried navy beans (or pinto or great northern beans)
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups chicken stock (or vegetable stock for vegetarian version)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or oregano)
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep the beans: If using dried beans, soak them overnight. Rinse and drain them before cooking. Skip this step for canned beans.
  2. Sauté the veggies: In a large pot, heat a splash of oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté for about 5 minutes.
  3. Add garlic: Once veggies are softened, add minced garlic and sauté for another minute.
  4. In with the ham: Add diced ham or ham hock and sauté for 5 minutes until it caramelizes slightly.
  5. Combine the goodness: Add soaked beans, chicken stock, bay leaves, and thyme. Bring to a gentle boil, then simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  6. Season to perfection: Near the end of cooking, taste your soup and adjust salt and pepper to your preference.
  7. Serve and enjoy: Remove bay leaves and let soup sit briefly. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Notes

This soup freezes well; cool completely before storing. Adjust seasoning based on saltiness of the ham.

Nutrition

Keywords: soup, ham, beans, comfort food, family recipe

Find it online: https://butteredtable.com/ham-bean-soup/