Navy Bean and Ham Soup

Name: Navy Bean and Ham Soup
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 onion (diced); 1 large carrot (peeled and diced); 1 cup diced celery; 4 cloves garlic (minced); 2 cups diced pre-cooked ham; 3 cups beef stock (or broth); 1 bay leaf; 3 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped); 15 ounces canned Navy beans (rinsed and drained); pinch salt and black pepper (to taste)

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Enjoy the classic comfort of navy bean and ham soup! This hearty dish is filled with savory, smoky flavor and is sure to warm you up on a cold day.

Crock serving of navy bean and ham soup.

Ham soup with beans is a classic comfort food that is hearty and satisfying. The recipe typically includes navy beans, smoked ham hock or ham bone, vegetables such as onions and carrots, and seasonings like bay leaves and thyme. The soup can be made on the stovetop or in a slow cooker for convenience.

One of the benefits of making a bean soup recipe is that it can be easily customized to suit different tastes. For example, some people may prefer to add more or less salt or spice, depending on their preferences. Recipe variations can include other ingredients like diced potatoes to add texture and flavor.

Overall, navy bean soup with ham is an excellent choice for those looking for a comforting meal. This dish is high in protein, making it filling enough to serve as a main course. It's also perfect for meal prep because it can be stored in the fridge or freezer for easy meals throughout the week.

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Ingredients
Instructions
Variations
Tips
Serving suggestions
Storage
FAQ
Related Recipes
Recipe
Comments

Ingredients

This white bean soup recipe requires simple ingredients that combine perfectly to create a comforting bowl of soup. Plus, it's a great way to use up leftover ham.

Here's what you'll need to make our navy bean soup with ham:

olive oil
onion
carrot
celery
garlic
cooked ham
beef broth or stock
bay leaf
fresh parsley
canned navy beans
salt and ground black pepper

Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Before you start cooking, it's important to do some prep work. Prepping the ingredients will make things go easier.

The first step is to rinse and drain the canned beans. Next, cut the ham into pieces and set it aside. Chop onions, celery, and carrots. Then, mince the garlic.

Heat oil in a large soup pot or saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook onions, carrots, and celery until softened, for 5 minutes.

Add garlic and the ham meat pieces.

Mix in the ham and cook for two more minutes.

Pour in the stock, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.

Stir in beans, season with salt, pepper and continue simmering for 3 more minutes.

Taste, adjust salt if needed, and sprinkle fresh cooked parsley.

Use a soup ladle to transfer into serving bowls and enjoy hot.

Variations

This navy bean soup recipe is a classic that has been around for generations. Although it is already delicious, there are still many ways to make variations of this soup.

For instance, add more vegetables like zucchini or squash to make it more nutritious and flavorful. If you want a spicy twist, you can also experiment with different types of meats, such as smoked sausage or chorizo.

Another variation to consider is the broth. While this recipe uses beef broth, chicken broth could be used for a more traditional flavor. Or, leave out the ham and use vegetable broth for a vegetarian dish. Additionally, spices such as thyme or rosemary can be added to give extra depth and aroma.

You can also modify the texture of your soup by blending some of the ingredients together after cooking instead of leaving them whole. This will result in a creamier consistency without adding any cream or milk products - perfect for individuals who are lactose intolerant! With so many variations possible, you'll never get bored with this timeless dish!

Tips

When seasoning your navy bean soup, taste as you go and adjust accordingly. Ham tends to be salty, so you may not need as much added salt as you think. Instead, try adding some fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for depth of flavor.
Add some diced potatoes to make this recipe even heartier. This will add some texture and extra nutrients to an already nutritious dish. Remember that if you add more ingredients, you may need to adjust the cooking time.
Rinse the beans and drain the liquid off before you add the beans to the soup.

Serving suggestions

Add a dollop of sour cream or crème fraîche on top of each bowl before serving. This will add a nice tanginess that complements the rich and hearty soup flavors.

Another way to elevate this dish is by serving it with a slice of crusty bread. Toasted or grilled bread is ideal for sopping up any remaining broth in the bowl, making sure not to miss any delicious flavor.

Consider pairing this soup with a fresh green salad or roasted vegetables for a more substantial meal. The combination of light and fresh greens or savory roasted veggies will perfectly balance out the heartiness of the soup while adding some much-needed texture and variety to your meal.

Storage

First, cool the soup completely before transferring it to an airtight container. This will help reduce the risk of spoilage. Once cooled, transfer the soup to a shallow, airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to four days.

If you plan on keeping the soup longer than four days, it's best to freeze it. To do this, transfer the cooled soup into a freezer-safe container or bag and place it in the freezer for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop or microwave until hot.

FAQ

Can dry beans be used in navy bean soup instead of canned?

Dry navy beans can be used in navy bean soup instead of canned. Cooking with dry beans is slightly different than using canned beans.

To prepare dry beans, soak them overnight in water before cooking. This helps to soften the beans and reduce their cooking time. After soaking, rinse and drain the beans before adding them to your soup recipe.

Depending on the type of bean, they may take anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours to cook thoroughly. You'll also need to add more liquid than if you were using canned beans since dry beans absorb more liquid as they cook.

Can I make the soup using black beans or pinto beans?

Absolutely! Black beans and pinto beans are great options for ham and bean soup. Both types of beans add a rich, earthy flavor to the soup and a creamy texture that helps thicken it up.

When using black beans, you may want to add some extra spices, such as cumin and chili powder, to give the soup an extra kick of flavor. Pinto beans have a milder flavor, so you can avoid using less seasoning if desired.

How do you thicken navy bean soup?

Adding starch, such as flour or cornstarch, to the soup is the easiest way to thicken it. Combine 1 to 2 tablespoons of the starch with equal cold water and whisk until it forms a paste. Then slowly add this mixture to the soup until it reaches your desired thickness.

Another option is to puree some cooked beans and add them to the soup. This will thicken the broth without changing its flavor too much.

You can also thicken the soup by cooking it down on low heat for longer than usual, allowing some liquid to evaporate until it reaches your desired consistency.

Serving of ham and bean soup in small crock.

Want more easy soup recipes that won't leave a lot of leftovers? Here's a few more that are perfect for one or two people.

Potato soup
Italian minestrone soup
Shrimp and corn bisque

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