This Hearty Ham and Bean Soup is the perfect comfort food for a chilly day! It’s a simple yet satisfying soup that’s packed with tender beans, savory ham, and flavorful vegetables. I love how easy this recipe is to make, using pantry-staple ingredients and requiring minimal effort. It’s a great way to use up leftover ham, and it’s a budget-friendly meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Why You’ll Love This Ham and Bean Soup
- Hearty and Filling: Packed with beans and ham, this soup is a satisfying and protein-rich meal.
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
- Flavorful: The combination of ham, vegetables, and spices creates a delicious and comforting soup.
- Budget-Friendly: This soup is a great way to use up leftover ham and inexpensive pantry staples.
- Perfect for Leftovers: This soup tastes even better the next day, making it great for meal prepping.
Ingredients for Ham and Bean Soup
Here’s what you’ll need to make this hearty soup. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Vegetables and Aromatics
- Carrots, sliced (Vegetable)
- Celery ribs, chopped (Vegetable)
- Onion, chopped (Vegetable)
- Garlic, minced (Aromatic)
Protein and Seasoning
- Cubed fully cooked ham (Meat)
- Chili powder (Spice Blend)
- Pepper (Spice)
- Bay leaf (Herb)
Liquids and Beans
- Butter (Fat)
- Great northern beans, rinsed and drained (Beans)
- Chicken broth (Liquid)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love this Ham and Bean Soup as is, but here are a few variations:
- Use Different Beans: Try using cannellini beans, navy beans, or pinto beans instead of great northern beans.
- Add More Vegetables: Toss in some diced potatoes, corn, or green beans.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
- Add Herbs: Stir in some fresh or dried thyme, rosemary, or parsley.
- Use Smoked Ham Hock: For a deeper, smokier flavor, use a smoked ham hock instead of cubed ham. (You’ll need to simmer it longer to make it tender.)
How to Make Ham and Bean Soup
Let me show you how easy it is to make this Hearty Ham and Bean Soup:
Sauté Vegetables
- In a large saucepan, I sauté the carrots, celery, and onion in butter until they’re tender, usually about 5-7 minutes.
Stir in Remaining Ingredients
- I stir in the remaining ingredients: the rinsed and drained great northern beans, chicken broth, cubed ham, chili powder, minced garlic, pepper, and bay leaf.
Bring to a Boil and Simmer
- I bring the mixture to a boil.
- Then, I reduce the heat and cook for 15 minutes, or until the soup is heated through and the flavors have melded.
Discard Bay Leaf and Serve
- Discard the bay leaf
- Serve!
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Ham and Bean Soup
Here are my secrets for making this soup truly delicious:
- Use a Good Quality Ham: The flavor of the ham will really shine through in this soup, so use a good quality ham that you enjoy.
- Don’t Overcook the Vegetables: Sauté the vegetables until they’re tender but not mushy.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings to your liking. Add more salt, pepper, or chili powder as needed.
- Simmer for Longer: For a deeper flavor, simmer the soup for longer than 15 minutes.
How to Serve
This Ham and Bean Soup is a complete meal on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions:
- Crusty Bread: Serve with a side of crusty bread or cornbread for dipping.
- Salad: A simple green salad would complement the soup nicely.
- Toppings: Top each bowl with a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheese, or chopped fresh herbs.
Make Ahead and Storage
This soup tastes even better the next day! You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. You can also freeze this soup for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
FAQs about Ham and Bean Soup
- Can I use a different type of bean?
- Yes, you can use any type of bean you like, such as cannellini beans, navy beans, or pinto beans.
- Can I make this in a slow cooker?
- Yes, you can make this soup in a slow cooker. Sauté the vegetables as directed, then add all the ingredients to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Can I make this vegetarian?
- Yes, you can.
Enjoy this hearty, flavorful, and easy-to-make Ham and Bean Soup! It’s the perfect comfort food for a cold day.
Print
Hearty Ham and Bean Soup
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Soup, Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Description
This hearty and flavorful Ham and Bean Soup is a comforting and easy-to-make meal. It’s packed with great northern beans, savory ham, and vegetables, making it a perfect weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery ribs, chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cans (15.5 ounces each) great northern beans, rinsed and drained
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups cubed fully cooked ham
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced carrots, chopped celery, and chopped onion. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the rinsed and drained great northern beans, chicken broth, cubed ham, chili powder, minced garlic, pepper, and bay leaf.
- Bring to a Boil: Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the flavors have melded and the soup is heated through.
- Remove Bay Leaf: Remove and discard the bay leaf before serving.
- Serve
Notes
- Beans: You can substitute other types of white beans, such as cannellini beans or navy beans, for the great northern beans.
- Ham: You can use leftover ham, diced ham, or even ham hocks for this soup. If using ham hocks, remove the meat from the bones after cooking and discard the bones.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of chili powder to your preference.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve this soup with crusty bread, cornbread, or a side salad.
- Storage: Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.