How to Make Delicious Ham and Bean Soup

There’s nothing quite as comforting as a hot bowl of ham and bean soup on a chilly day. And the best part is, it’s incredibly easy to make! In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to make a delicious pot of hearty soup that you can enjoy anytime.

First, let’s talk about the ingredients. You’ll need some ham (either a ham hock or leftover ham), canned beans (we like using navy beans, but you can use any type of bean you prefer), vegetables (such as onion, carrots, and celery), broth (either chicken or vegetable), and some herbs and spices (such as thyme and bay leaves). Don’t worry if you don’t have all of these ingredients on hand – soup is a versatile dish, so feel free to swap or omit ingredients as needed. With that said, let’s get started on making this delicious ham and bean soup!

How to Make Ham and Bean Soup: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re looking for a satisfying and flavorful soup to warm you up on a cold day, ham and bean soup is a classic choice. This hearty soup is easy to make and can be customized to your liking with various seasonings and ingredients. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make ham and bean soup.

Ingredients:

– 1 pound dry navy beans
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 large onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
– 2 stalks celery, diced
– 1 teaspoon dried thyme
– 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
– 1 bay leaf
– 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
– 1 pound ham, cubed
– Salt and pepper to taste

Step 1: Soak the Beans

Before you start making the soup, it’s important to soak the beans. Rinse the beans and pick out any debris. Then, place the beans in a large bowl and cover them with water. Let them soak overnight, or for at least 8 hours.

Step 2: Saute the Vegetables

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute for a few minutes until the onion is translucent. Add the carrots and celery and continue to saute for another several minutes until they are softened.

Step 3: Add the Spices and Broth

Add the thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf to the pot, and stir well. Pour in the broth and bring it to a simmer.

Step 4: Add the Ham and Beans

Drain the soaked beans and add them to the pot along with the ham. Bring the soup to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer.

Step 5: Simmer the Soup

Cover the pot and let the soup simmer for about 2 hours, or until the beans are tender.

Step 6: Remove the Bay Leaf

Once the beans are cooked, remove the bay leaf and discard it.

Step 7: Blend the Soup (Optional)

For a creamier soup, you can blend some of the soup with an immersion blender or in a regular blender. Be sure to blend just a small amount at a time to avoid overloading the blender.

Step 8: Adjust the Seasonings

Taste the soup and add salt and pepper to your liking.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy! This soup is delicious on its own, or you can top it with chopped fresh herbs, grated cheese, croutons, or a dollop of sour cream.

Step 10: Store or Freeze Leftovers

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the soup for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight and heat it up in a pot on the stove.

Conclusion

Ham and bean soup is a classic and comforting meal that is easy to make and perfect for a chilly day. By following these simple steps, you can create a flavorful and hearty soup that will satisfy your cravings. Experiment with different spices and ingredients to make the soup your own, and don’t be afraid to customize it to your personal taste. Enjoy!

Ingredients

When making ham and bean soup, it is important to have the appropriate ingredients. The following are the ingredients you need to make ham and bean soup:

1. Ham Hock or Ham Bone

The ham hock or bone is what gives the soup its flavor and richness. It is better to use ham hock because it is more flavorful and has more meat than ham bone. Be sure to remove all the meat from the hock and put it back into the pot with the beans.

2. Dried Beans

One of the key ingredients of ham and bean soup is the dried beans. You can use white beans, pinto beans, kidney beans or navy beans. Make sure you rinse them before adding them to the pot.

3. Onion

Onions add flavor to the soup. Chop the onion, and sauté it before adding it to the pot with the ham and beans.

4. Garlic

Garlic adds an extra layer of flavor to the soup. Use fresh garlic and chop it finely. Add it to the sautéing onion mixture.

5. Carrots

Carrots add sweetness and a splash of color to the soup. Peel and chop the carrots into small pieces.

6. Celery

Celery adds a crunchy texture and can also help cool down the soup, especially if it is too hot. Chop the celery into small pieces.

7. Bay Leaves

Bay leaves add a unique flavor and aroma to the soup. Add two or three bay leaves to the pot.

8. Salt and Pepper

Salt and pepper are essential in bringing out the flavor of the soup. Add the salt and pepper to taste.

9. Chicken Broth

Chicken broth adds more flavor to the soup. Use low-sodium chicken broth to ensure that the soup is not too salty.

10. Water

When cooking the soup, you need enough water to cook the beans until they are tender. Add enough water to cover the beans, but not too much, as this will make the soup too watery.

Ingredients Needed

If you’re reading this post, there’s a good chance you’re craving a warm and hearty ham and bean soup. Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! The first step in creating the perfect ham and bean soup is gathering your ingredients.

1. Ham Hock

The star ingredient of this soup is, of course, the ham hock. When shopping for a ham hock, look for one that is meaty and has a good amount of fat on it. The fat will cook off during the cooking process, leaving behind a rich, flavorful broth. You can usually find ham hocks at your local grocery store or butcher shop.

2. Beans

The second most important ingredient is the beans. You can use any kind of beans you like, but we recommend using navy beans, cannellini beans, or great northern beans. Soak the beans in water overnight, or if you’re short on time, you can use canned beans to speed up the process.

3. Vegetables

Additions like onion, garlic, carrots and celery could be used to give our soup more flavor and nutrition. Dice up one medium onion, mince two cloves of garlic, and chop up two stalks of celery and two medium-sized carrots.

4. Seasoning And Liquids

To add flavor and depth to the soup, you will also need bay leaves, thyme, chicken stock, salt, and pepper. The chicken stock provides a great base flavor but if you want to replace it with vegetable stock for a vegetarian soup, it’s totally possible.

5. Garnish

If you want to add an extra touch of flavor and color to your soup once it’s done, you can add a garnish like fresh parsley, chives, or croutons. This is a great opportunity to get creative, especially if you’re serving this soup to guests!

Gathering all the ingredients needed is the first step to make a delicious ham and bean soup. Once you’ve got everything, you’re ready to move onto the next step – cooking it all together!

Enjoy Your Delicious Ham and Bean Soup!

Now that you have the recipe for ham and bean soup, it’s time to channel your inner chef and get cooking! Remember to take your time and enjoy the process. The best part about homemade soups is that you can customize them to your taste. We hope you found this article helpful and appreciate you taking the time to read it. Don’t forget to visit again later for more delicious recipe ideas! Happy cooking!