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Hearty Ham and White Bean Soup

Close-up of a white bowl filled with ham and white bean soup, topped with shredded ham.
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Make this simple, comforting ham and white bean soup. It is a filling meal perfect for cold weather.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  2. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the rinsed beans, chicken broth, ham hock (if using), thyme, bay leaf, and pepper.
  4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender. If using diced ham instead of a hock, add it during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
  5. Remove the ham hock and bay leaf. Shred any meat from the hock and return it to the pot. Discard the bone.
  6. Taste the soup and add salt as needed. If you prefer a thicker soup, mash some of the beans against the side of the pot.
  7. Serve hot.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, omit the ham hock and use vegetable broth. Add smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
  • If you use canned beans, reduce the cooking time significantly and add them in the last 30 minutes.
  • You can cook this soup in a slow cooker on low for 6 to 8 hours.

Nutrition

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