Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Introduction
Ham and Bean Soup is a heartwarming, traditional recipe that has been a family favorite for generations. This soul-soothing comfort dish is perfect for rainy days, cold weather, or when you just need a pick-me-up. If you have leftover ham from the holiday or any celebration, this recipe is a perfect way to put it to use.
Why Make This Recipe
This Ham and Bean Soup recipe is not only nutritious but also budget-friendly. It is an excellent source of protein and fibers, thanks to the ham and the great northern beans. Additionally, it’s a one-pot recipe, which means cleaning up after cooking is a breeze.
How to Make Ham and Bean Soup
Ingredients :
– 2 cups diced cooked ham
– 2 cans (15 oz each) great northern beans, drained and rinsed
– 1 onion, chopped
– 2 carrots, diced
– 2 stalks celery, diced
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 4 cups chicken broth
– 1 bay leaf
– 1 tsp dried thyme
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– 2 tbsp olive oil
Directions :
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery to the pot and sauté until softened.
2. Include the garlic and cook for one more minute until the garlic becomes fragrant.
3. Incorporate the ham, beans, chicken broth, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper into the pot.
4. Bring the entire contents of the pot to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about an hour.
5. After an hour, remove the bay leaf before serving the soup.
How to Serve Ham and Bean Soup
Serve this hearty soup hot, preferably with a side of crusty bread or a refreshing side salad. The contrasting textures and temperatures will provide a complete, stomach-filling meal.
How to Store Ham and Bean Soup
Store any leftover Ham and Bean Soup in an airtight soup container or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be kept in the fridge for up to four days or stored in the freezer for up to one month.
Tips to Make Ham and Bean Soup
Make sure to drain and rinse the beans well before adding them to your soup. This step removes any additional starch and sodium from your canned beans.
Variation
You can include diced tomatoes, green peppers, corn, or jalapeno peppers to give it a bit of a twist. Alternatively, switch up the beans using kidney beans or black beans.
FAQs
1. Can I use canned ham for this recipe?
Yes, just make sure to drain it properly to avoid additional salt in the soup.
2. Can I replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth?
Yes, both broth types work well with this recipe.
3. Can I freeze the leftover soup?
Yes, you can store the soup in the freezer for up to a month.