Hearty Ham and Bean Soup Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Hearty ham and bean soup promises comfort on chilly evenings when warmth matters most.

Savory aromas will soon fill your kitchen with memories of grandmother’s cooking.

Tender chunks of smoky ham blend perfectly with creamy white beans and vegetables.

Nutritious ingredients create a simple yet satisfying meal that comes together quickly.

Rich broth carries deep flavors from carefully selected seasonings and slow-simmered ingredients.

Unexpected herbs add subtle complexity to this classic dish.

Prepare to experience a bowl of pure, delicious nostalgia that will have everyone asking for seconds.

What Makes Ham and Bean Soup a Comfort Classic

• Savor Hearty Comfort: A soul-warming soup packed with rich, deep flavors that hugs you like a cozy blanket on a chilly day.
• Master Simple Cooking Skills: Perfect for home cooks wanting to build confidence with a straightforward recipe that requires minimal technical expertise and delivers maximum satisfaction.
• Transform Leftover Ham: Brilliantly repurpose holiday ham or leftover meat into a nutritious, protein-packed meal that stretches your grocery budget and reduces food waste.
• Crowd-Pleasing Family Meal: Creates a generous batch ideal for feeding multiple people, with easy scalability and guaranteed crowd-pleasing taste that appeals to both kids and adults.

Key Ingredients for a Hearty Ham and Bean Soup

• Navy Beans: Small white beans that provide a hearty base and creamy texture to the soup.
• Ham: Adds rich, smoky flavor and provides protein to the soup.
• Chicken Broth: Creates a flavorful liquid foundation for the soup.

• Onion, Garlic: Provide a deep, savory flavor base for the soup.
• Carrots: Add natural sweetness and a pop of color to the dish.

• Bay Leaf, Thyme, Onion Powder: Enhance the overall depth and complexity of the soup's flavor profile.
• Ham Bone: Contributes additional richness and meaty flavor during the long simmering process.

How to Prepare Ham and Bean Soup Step by Step

Step 1: Prepare Beans

Thoroughly rinse navy beans under cold running water, removing any debris or discolored beans. Set aside for cooking.

Step 2: Build Flavor Base

Heat olive oil and butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook until they become soft and golden, releasing their sweet aroma.

Step 3: Layer Savory Elements

• Carrots
• Diced ham
• Minced garlic

Sauté for one minute, allowing the ingredients to meld and create a rich flavor foundation.

Step 4: Create Liquid Foundation

Pour in chicken broth and water.

• Ham bone
• Rinsed beans
• Onion powder
• Bay leaf
• Dried thyme

Step 5: Bring to Boil and Simmer

Increase heat to bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Immediately reduce heat, allowing the soup to simmer gently.

Cover the pot partially with a lid to trap moisture and flavors.

Step 6: Slow Cook and Develop Depth

Let the soup simmer for at least 3 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent beans from sticking to the bottom.

The slow cooking process will tenderize the beans and concentrate the flavors.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Remove the ham bone, bay leaf, and thyme stems.

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Ladle the steaming soup into bowls and serve alongside crusty bread or warm buttermilk biscuits for a comforting meal.

Handy Tips for a Flawless Ham and Bean Soup

• Soak beans overnight to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility.
• Choose a meaty ham bone for richer, deeper flavor profile in the soup.
• Control soup thickness by mashing some beans against pot side or adding extra liquid as needed.
• Low and slow cooking ensures tender beans and allows flavors to develop completely.
• Freeze leftover soup in portions for quick future meals, which tastes even better after flavors meld overnight.

Creative Ideas to Switch Up Ham and Bean Soup

• Spicy Southwest Soup: Replace ham with chorizo, add diced green chilies, jalapeños, and swap thyme for cumin and chili powder for a zesty Mexican-inspired version.
• Vegetarian Bean Delight: Eliminate ham, use vegetable broth, add smoked paprika, mushrooms, and extra root vegetables for depth and protein.
• Hearty Bacon and White Bean Soup: Substitute ham with crispy bacon pieces, include fresh rosemary instead of thyme, and add chopped kale for extra nutrition.
• Mediterranean Bean Medley: Incorporate diced tomatoes, replace chicken broth with vegetable stock, add oregano and parsley, top with crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-style variation.

Perfect Pairings for Ham and Bean Soup Nights

• Pair with Rustic Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir or Beaujolais that complements the hearty soup's rich ham and bean flavors without overpowering the delicate broth.
• Serve with Cornbread Sidekick: Bake a warm, slightly sweet cornbread to provide a perfect textural contrast and absorb the soup's savory liquid, enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Crisp Salad Companion: Toss a light green salad with tangy vinaigrette to cut through the soup's richness, adding fresh brightness and balancing the meal's heavy components.
• Herb-Infused Butter Spread: Prepare a compound butter with fresh herbs like parsley or chives to spread on crusty bread, adding an extra layer of aromatic flavor that elevates the soup's rustic charm.

How to Keep Ham and Bean Soup Fresh and Tasty

• Refrigerate: Store leftover ham and bean soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal carefully, and freeze for up to 4-6 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Microwave Reheating: Pour soup into a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Stovetop Reheating: Pour soup into a saucepan. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent sticking.

Ham and Bean Soup FAQs You’ll Be Glad to Know

• Can I use canned beans instead of dried beans?

Yes, you can substitute dried beans with canned beans. Drain and rinse the canned beans, and add them later in the cooking process to prevent overcooking.

• What type of ham works best for this soup?

Leftover holiday ham or ham hocks are ideal. You can also use diced ham from the deli or pre-packaged cubed ham for convenience.

• How can I make the soup less salty?

Use low-sodium chicken broth and avoid adding extra salt until the end. If the soup is too salty, you can add more water or unsalted broth to balance the flavor.

• Is this soup freezer-friendly?

Absolutely! Cool the soup completely, then store in airtight containers.

Hearty Ham and Bean Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty ham and bean soup delivers comfort in a bowl, packed with smoky flavors and tender ingredients. Warm winter nights become memorable when this classic soup graces your table, inviting you to savor each spoonful of deliciousness.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 cups diced ham (approx. two 8 ounces ham steaks)
• 1 ham bone (or smoked ham hock/shank)
• 1 pound dried navy beans, rinsed

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 2 cups carrots, diced
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf

Liquid and Fats:

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4 cups water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Thoroughly cleanse navy beans under cold running water, ensuring no debris remains.
2. Warm olive oil and butter in a large soup pot over medium heat until butter melts and becomes fragrant.
3. Gently sauté diced onions for approximately 5 minutes, allowing them to soften and become translucent.
4. Introduce chopped carrots, diced ham, and minced garlic to the pot, stirring and cooking for 1 minute to release aromatic flavors.
5. Pour chicken broth and water into the pot, then add ham bone, rinsed beans, onion powder, bay leaf, and thyme sprigs.
6. Increase heat to bring the mixture to a robust boil, then immediately reduce temperature to a gentle simmer.
7. Cover pot partially with a lid, allowing steam to escape while maintaining consistent heat.
8. Maintain a low simmer for 3 hours, occasionally stirring to prevent beans from sticking and ensuring even cooking.
9. Verify bean tenderness and soup consistency, removing ham bone, bay leaf, and thyme stems.
10. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
11. Ladle hot soup into bowls and serve alongside crusty bread or warm biscuits for a hearty meal.

Notes

• Soak beans overnight to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility, helping break down complex sugars that cause gas.
• Select high-quality, lean ham with minimal fat for a cleaner, more refined soup flavor without excess greasiness.
• Consider using a slow cooker for consistent, low-temperature cooking that allows flavors to develop deeply and prevents burning.
• Swap ham with smoked turkey or vegetable broth for vegetarian/kosher adaptations, maintaining rich umami depth through careful seasoning.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg