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Hearty Ham and White Bean Soup

A close-up of a savory 1 pot bean soup topped with shredded smoked ham, served in a white bowl on a rustic wooden surface.
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A simple, one-pot recipe for a thick and savory white bean soup featuring ham for deep flavor.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound dried navy or Great Northern beans, rinsed
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 1 smoked ham hock or 1 cup diced ham
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Soak the dried beans in water overnight, then drain them. (If you skip soaking, add 1 hour to the cook time).
  2. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  4. Add the soaked and drained beans, chicken broth, ham hock (or diced ham), thyme, and bay leaf to the pot.
  5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender.
  6. Remove the ham hock, discard the bone and any large pieces of fat, and shred the meat. Return the shredded ham to the soup.
  7. Remove the bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper. If you prefer a thicker soup, mash about 1 cup of the beans against the side of the pot before serving.
  8. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Notes

  • For a quicker version, use 2 cans (15 ounces each) of rinsed and drained white beans instead of dried beans. Add them during the last 30 minutes of simmering.
  • If you do not have a ham hock, use 1 cup of pre-cooked diced ham and add 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke for depth.
  • This soup freezes well for later use.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishdiarist.com/bean-soup-recipe-ham-white-bean/