Description
Ham and bean soup brings comfort to hungry families during chilly evenings. Simple ingredients combine for a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 3 cans (15 oz / 425 g each) white beans (Great Northern, cannellini, or navy beans, drained and rinsed)
- 2 cups cooked ham (diced)
- 2 tbsps olive oil or butter
- 2 celery stalks (chopped)
- 2 carrots (sliced)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (optional)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar (optional)
- 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- Crusty bread or cornbread (for dipping, optional)
Instructions
- Flavor Foundation: Sauté diced onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil until vegetables become translucent, releasing their aromatic essence in a large pot.
- Herb Infusion: Quickly stir in minced garlic, thyme, oregano, and smoked paprika, allowing herbs to bloom and intensify without burning.
- Liquid Ensemble: Add chopped ham, white beans, broth, bay leaf, and Dijon mustard, creating a robust and savory soup base that will develop complex flavors.
- Simmering Stage: Reduce heat and allow ingredients to meld together gently, developing deep flavors for 25-45 minutes. If using a ham bone, extract and shred any remaining meat back into the soup.
- Flavor Balancing: Introduce a splash of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to cut through the richness and provide a subtle bright note. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serving Finale: Remove bay leaf, ladle the steaming soup into bowls, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve alongside crusty bread or warm cornbread for a complete, comforting meal.
Notes
- Optimize Vegetable Sautéing: Cook onions, carrots, and celery slowly to develop deep, sweet flavors without burning; medium-low heat ensures perfect caramelization.
- Preserve Herb Intensity: Add dried herbs toward the end of sautéing to prevent scorching and maximize their aromatic potential, releasing maximum flavor without bitterness.
- Control Liquid Consistency: Monitor soup’s thickness during simmering; add extra broth if becoming too dense or reduce liquid if wanting a thicker texture.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap ham with smoked turkey or plant-based protein for lower-fat versions; use low-sodium broth for heart-conscious individuals and gluten-free bread alternatives for celiac-friendly serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg